Ingenious Ways to Slip Dry Fruits(nuts) into Your Kids’ Meals
Kid-Approved, Parent-Adored!
Parents, we know the struggle is real when it comes to making sure our little ones get the nutrition they need. But fear not, because we’ve cracked the code on sneaky snacking – introducing dry fruits(nuts) into your kids’ meals without them suspecting a thing.
These ingenious tricks are kid-approved and will have parents rejoicing in the victory of healthy eating. Get ready for snack time with the blend of fun and nutrition!
Many blends of dry fruit powders are in the market. But you create your own? Making it yourself allows for customization according to your child’s preferences. After all, who knows what’s best for your kid better than you?
Let me give you the recipe for Homemade Roasted Dry Fruit Powder, before we dive into the tricks…
Homemade Roasted Dry Fruit Powder Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup Cashews
1 cup Almonds
1/2 cup Pistachios
1/2 cup whole Walnuts
You can add seeds to this as well.
1 cup Sunflower Seeds
1 cup Pumpkin Seeds
1/2 cup Flax Seeds
1/2 cup Watermelon Seeds
1/2 cup Sesame Seeds
Instructions:
Roast each ingredient separately in a pan without any oil. Ensure they are nicely roasted and release their natural flavours. Set aside to cool.
Once all the ingredients are cooled, combine all the roasted nuts and seeds.
Grind the mixture into a fine powder.
Your homemade roasted dry fruit powder is ready to sprinkle on your favourite dishes or enjoy as a nutritious snack!
Here come the ultimate mind-blowing tricks to add dry fruits to your kids’ menu that will leave you speechless! ?
Kid-Friendly Lunch Hacks
Clever Roti:
Elevate your kids’ lunch by adding a mix of roasted dry fruit powder( recipe shown in the box) to the atta. The burst of flavours and textures will make every roti an adventure, and your kids won’t even realize they’re getting a dose of essential nutrients.
Curry Cheat:
Turn an ordinary curry dish into a nutritional powerhouse by garnishing it with dried fruit powder.
Coarsely grind all your desirable dry fruits and add the coarse powder to your kids’ favourite curry dish. The natural sweetness of the fruits complements the dish, creating a delightful treat that your kids will happily devour.
Sweet Magic:
Dry Fruit Laddoos:
These bite-sized sweet treats that are packed with a mix of wholesome dry fruits, are a taste sensation and a powerhouse of natural goodness!
Simple to make and delightful to savour, these ladoos offer a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, sweet jaggery, and aromatic cardamom.
These Dry Fruit Ladoos are a joy of homemade goodness and the warmth of traditional flavours.
Dry Fruit Laddoo Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup Mixed Dry Fruits (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, dates, figs)
1/2 cup Desiccated Coconut
1/4 cup Ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 cup Jaggery (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
Instructions:
Prepare Dry Fruits:
Finely chop or grind the mixed dry fruits of your choice. You can use a food processor for a quick and uniform texture.
Roast Grated Coconut:
In a pan, dry roast the grated coconut until it turns light golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Prepare Jaggery Syrup:
In a separate pan, melt ghee over low heat. Add jaggery and let it melt to form a syrup. Ensure it doesn’t boil; just melt and mix. Turn off the heat.
Mixing Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped or ground dry fruits with the roasted desiccated coconut.
Add Jaggery Syrup:
Pour the melted jaggery and ghee mixture over the dry fruits and coconut. Add cardamom powder for flavor. Mix the ingredients well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, ensuring it’s still warm enough to shape into ladoos without burning your hands.
Shape the Ladoos:
Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into round ladoos. You can adjust the size based on your preference. As they cool, they will firm up.
Enjoy:
Once set, your delicious and nutritious dry fruit ladoos are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container.
These dry fruit ladoos make for a perfect healthy treat, rich in essential nutrients and natural sweetness. Enjoy the goodness!
Treat Time Tricks – Hiding Dried Fruits in Delights
Surprise Sandwich:
Sneak in a surprise element by adding dried fruit powder to your kids’ sandwiches. Add dry fruit powder to fruit jam, Nutella or any sandwich spread before applying to the bread.
The subtle sweetness adds a new dimension to their lunch, and you can be in the satisfaction of knowing they’re getting a bonus of vitamins and minerals.
Benefits of adding healthy seeds to your kids’ diet
Pumpkin Seeds: High Nutrition
Mood and Sleep Regulation: Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, promoting a good night’s sleep and positive mood regulation for kids.
Immunity Boost: Loaded with zinc, pumpkin seeds play a key role in fortifying the immune system, helping kids ward off common illnesses.
Flax Seeds: Omega-3 Rich
Brain Boost: Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds contribute to cognitive development, supporting memory and concentration in kids.
Digestive: The high fibre content in flax seeds aids in digestion, helping maintain a healthy gut for growing stomachs.
Sunflower Seeds: Nutrient-Rich
Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds are a rich source of vitamin E, promoting skin health and providing antioxidant support for growing bodies.
Energy: These seeds are a natural source of energy, making them an excellent snack option for active, growing kids.
Chia Seeds or Sabja Seeds(sweet basil seeds)
Bone Health: Packed with calcium and phosphorus, chia seeds contribute to the development and maintenance of strong, healthy bones.
Hydration: These seeds can absorb water and help keep kids hydrated. Hydration is an essential aspect of overall well-being of the children.
Sesame Seeds: Nutrient-Dense Delights
Iron Boost: Sesame seeds are a valuable source of iron, supporting the production of heamoglobin and preventing iron deficiency in children.
Essential Minerals: These seeds are rich in essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, and selenium, that help contributing to overall health and vitality.
In the search for healthier snacking, these tactics are your secret weapons. Incorporating dried fruits into your kids’ meals has never been this fun and rewarding.
So, parents, get ready to add these to your kids’ menu! unlock their true health potential!
Happy Parenting!
