National, 15 March, 2024: Kids’ parties and play dates are incomplete without fun-filled engaging activities and mouth-watering food. Dietitian Sheryl Salis, the Founder of Nurture Health Solutions and Saffola Nutrition Partner suggests three simple steps to make party snacks fun, tasty and healthy. It includes ingredient alternatives to ensure the kids have an enjoyable experience without compromising their health.
Further, by following the right preparation methods like using the right cooking oil with a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, packed with antioxidants and vitamins, parents can choose a healthier lifestyle for their children from a young age.
Indulge the Sweet Tooth fans without the Sweets
Children have a fondness for sugary treats, but when planning kids’ parties, explore incorporating healthier alternatives and natural sweeteners into the menu. This way, you can make the offerings more nutritious without compromising on taste. For example, while baking cookies, consider reducing the sugar content by 1/3rd to half the amount. Experiment with natural sweeteners like honey, date paste or jaggery for added nutritional value. Get creative with substitutes like cinnamon, banana purées and applesauce in muffins and cakes – nutritious, delicious and sure to bring joy to the little ones.
Top of Form
Add sweetness to the party snack menu with options such as Berry and Banana Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting, Frozen Yoghurt Pops, Ice Cream Cone Fruit cups, Healthy Sweet Potato Brownies and Strawberry Lemonade Gelatin Gummies, among others. These treats not only add a playful touch to the snack menu but also introduce kids to the joy of less sugary delights.
Preserve cherished traditions with small, tasty changes to inculcate healthier eating habits. Opt for organic, homemade confectionaries, ketchup and jams for a flavourful upgrade. Swap out sugary colas for fresh, 100% fruit juices – just as enjoyable, with a healthier twist.
Cooking up Fun Bites, minus the Deep Frying
As you plan delightful snacks for the kids’ party, consider making thoughtful menu choices by focusing on the type and quantity of cooking oil you use and opting for good fats. Use blended oil rather than single-seed oil. It is a healthier alternative that incorporates a good balance of monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFA), along with antioxidants and vitamins than single-seed oil. Explore fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, as well as fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. A range of delicious, creative and playful snacks can be crafted using ingredients from these categories.
Imagine star-shaped eggs! Or air-fried fish fingers and sweet potato fries paired with colourful and nutritious dips like hummus, guacamole or tomato salsa. You can also create mini pizzas, topped with a variety of veggies and meats or make avocado pesto. These healthier alternatives are excellent choices to prepare your snacks for your kids’ party.
Level-up fun-to-eat items filled with the Goodness of Whole Grains
Enhance snacks made with whole grains – rich in fibre, iron, nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. Perfect for kids’ parties, it is a great way to introduce them to delightful flavours and textures of whole grains, setting the stage for a healthier lifestyle.
Swap out refined grains in party favourites like pizzas, sandwiches and pasta with whole grains. Kids may not even notice the switch but will happily devour their most-loved foods like pizza with a whole grain crust or a burger on a whole wheat bun. Experiment with healthier alternatives such as rolled oats or crushed, unsweetened wholegrain cereal as breading for baked chicken or fish cutlets. Let the kid’s parties be a celebration of both joy and health.
In conclusion, whether you choose to replace sugary treats with healthier alternatives or opt for low-oil delights remember – you don’t have to compromise on joy and fun. Implementing these simple and easy steps at kids’ parties or get-togethers is a great way for parents to encourage children to enjoy foods that can contribute to healthier eating habits from an early age.
