Author Archives: From Kanupriya's Desk

In today’s age of double income families and the growing number of nuclear families, I often find that in my practice as a child dietician, mothers rely on pre-packaged, processed foods or ready to eat foods as snacks for their children. This not only compromises the nutritional health of their children, but also increases their risk of obesity.

The reliance on ready to eat foods is not so much due to lack of interest or want, but more due to paucity of time. As a child dietician I routinely share quick and easy food recipes for kids with such mothers. The recipes are tried and tested, quick and easy, and most importantly, universally loved by children of all ages. I had to share these recipes with my readers.

Recipe 1: Pizza Parantha

Ingredients:
Atta dough
Pizza sauce (homemade-make and keep in fridge)
Capsicum chopped
Onion chopped
Mushroom chopped and sautéed
Dried oregano
Mozzarella cheese grated
Oil

Method:
1) Roll out the dough in form of a pizza base. Cook like a parantha. Make sure that one side is cooked well and the other is half done.
2) Repeat the above with one more parantha.
3) Take one parantha. On the side that is cooked apply pizza sauce. Sprinkle the veggies, herbs and cheese
4) Cover this pizza with the other parantha with the half done side facing up.
5) Cook the 2 half done sides again till crisp.
6) Slice the pizza parantha like a regular pizza and serve.
7) You can use any vegetables, boiled chicken, etc. as fillings that your child likes.

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Recipe 2: Oats Cheela:

Ingredients:
Instant oats – 1 katori
Suji – ½ katori
Chopped onions – ¼ katori
Grated carrot – ¼ katori
Chopped palak – ¼ katori
Fresh coriander – 1 tbsp
Jeera powder
Salt a pinch

Method:
Mix the oats with suji in a little water and keep aside for 10 minutes.
Check the consistency of the batter, should resemble a cheela batter.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Spread batter on a non-stick pan and cook till golden brown.
Turn over and cook for a few more mintues.
Serve immediately.

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Recipe 3: Apple & Peanut butter slices:

Ingredients:
Apple slices – 4 (ring shape, destoned)
Peanut butter- 2 tbsp
Mix dry fruits of choice – 1 tbsp (optional)

Method:
1) Spread the peanut butter on the apple slices.
2) Top with dry fruits and serve.

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Recipe 4: Cheese sandwich:

Ingredients:
Whole wheat bread slices – 2
Grated cheese- 3 tbsp
Mix vegetables of choice – 3 tbsp (chopped)
Salt, pepper to taste
Dried Italian herbs – 1 tsp
Chilli flakes (optional) – ½ tsp

Method:
1) Mix all the vegetables, herbs, spices and cheese.
2) Fill in between the bread slice.
3) Toast in a sandwich maker till the bread is golden brown.
4) Serve hot.

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Recipe 5: Frozen yogurt:

Ingredients:
Bananas – 2 (chopped and frozen overnight)
Strawberries – 1 cup (frozen)

Method:
1) Combine the frozen fruits in a blender and pulse until smooth.
2) Serve immediately for a soft serve or freeze for later.
You can use any other fruit of your choice instead of strawberries. The bananas provide the sweetness and ice cream like consistency.
As a child dietician I can give you and your child expert dietary advice to help manage health conditions or diseases.