Homemade Complementary Food For Your Fussy Eater

Meal times. I still shudder when I think of my earlier meal-time routines with my 1-year-old daughter. They were not pleasant at all! Screaming, tantrums and tears were the most common sights at home when it came to having lunch or dinner. In fact, there was a time when all my child would eat for dinner was plain rice or a banana. I’d be screaming internally but trying to keep my calm lest she didn’t eat even that. A chat with another mum who happens to be a pediatrician helped me understand a toddler’s eating habits and preferences. I understood that it was more of a power struggle than anything else. And her tips with fortified foods helped me ensure my daughter was getting all the nutrition she needed.

Importance Of Fortified Food For Your Toddler

Did you know, your child’s maximum brain development happens in the first few years? So, I had to make sure my daughter had a proper diet backed with all the necessary nutrition so that proper development of her brain takes place. Since she wasn’t eating too much variety, foods fortified with iron, calcium or vitamin D were a great option to ensure she was getting all the necessary nutrients. Here are some essential nutrients your child needs during his/her growing stage:

1. Iron:

Iron is vital to your toddler’s growth and development. This nutrient helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and also helps muscles store and use oxygen. If your little one’s diet does not have sufficient iron, s/he might develop iron deficiency, which in turn may invite anemia.

2. Vitamin D:

Your child needs vitamin D for bone growth and development. This vitamin will help your baby absorb calcium. In fact, Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, delayed motor development, muscle weakness, aches and pains, and fractures in your little one.

Fortified foods gave me the assurance of nutrition, especially with my picky eater.

Food Tips: Give Your Child All The Nutrients S/he Needs

When I was distressed about what to give my daughter to meet all her nutritional needs, I got some useful tips that were timely. Pot meals became my bowl of assurance – assurance that my child’s health wasn’t compromised. Here are some foods that helped:

1. Ragi halwa: This one is my mum’s favorite. Now, it is one of my daughter’s, too.

What it contains: Equal measures of ragi, boiled rice, moong dal, almonds, roasted gram, and a small quantity of cardamom.

Nutrition: Contains the benefits of ragi – calcium, proteins, carbohydrates and fiber, as well as that of rice, dal and almonds. Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrients for children, containing Vitamin E, riboflavin, magnesium potassium, protein and fiber. Also, when prepared with a little jaggery to sweeten instead of white sugar, your child gets the immense health benefits of jaggery too.

2. Spinach khichdi: Everyone knows khichdi, right? It’s the go-to comfort food for someone who’s ill, or just the perfect accompaniment for a rainy evening when you don’t want to cook a grand meal. But, it is also a superb nutritional bowl of goodness! Add spinach while cooking the rice and dal to amp up the iron quotient.

What it contains: Rice, moong dal and spinach.

Nutrition: iron (from spinach), potassium, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

3. Fruit salad with avocado: Now when I make a salad for my child, I make sure it has the powerful avocado!

What it contains: Mixed fruit such as mango, kiwi and whatever is seasonal and of course, some avocados.

Nutrition: Avocado is full of healthy fats, vitamins E, B, C, K, and antioxidants.

4. Dried fruit milkshake: The goodness of almonds, pistachios, and cashews, along with a little saffron can really boost your child’s immunity.

What it contains: Dried fruits and nuts, and saffron.

Nutrition: Vitamins, minerals, phosphorus and antioxidant properties.

5. Mixed vegetable soup with wholegrain bread: Early on, when I was still coaxing and cajoling my daughter to eat veggies, I made sure I prepared soup every evening, just so that she would get some veggie goodness.

What it contains: Tomato, carrot, beetroot and red pumpkin. Nutrition: Vitamin C, K, A, B6, E, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, iron, and proteins.

The above simple yet delicious recipes and fortified food – the bowl of assurance, helped me overcome the challenge of fussy eating. So, mommies, was this blog useful to you? Do you have more tips for feeding a fussy eater? Do share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: SHSH programme is for educational purposes only, in partnership with doctors. Consult a doctor for queries about your or your child's health.