When growing up, we are always told by our elders about the importance of consuming ample amount of fruits and vegetables daily. Our plates are usually filled with vibrant selections of vegetables with protein and carbohydrates and end each meal with a delightful slice of fruit.
How do we entice them to eat healthy?
During the first few months of an infant, we give them natural and healthy food selections, particularly fruits and vegetables as their first solid food. For my daughter, Zeeka, we even tried baby-led weaning. We would give her sliced potatoes, carrots etc. and she would eat these by herself. After the first year, it was noticeable that Zeeka started to either be picky or fussy with food that was given to her as she learned to become a more independent eater (Have you noticed this to be true also with your kids?). What my daughter didn’t lose though is the love of eating vegetables and fruits, even if she was picky!
It is proven that vegetables are essential and natural part of a child’s diet. It contains essential nutrients for their health, growth and development. The best and simplest way is for parents to be their child’s example by adding vegetables as a daily part of the family’s diet. In that way, children will love the idea of eating balanced and healthy meals. What I love buying Zeeka are potatoes with the stamp from Potatoes USA.
How potatoes can help children’s growth and development
Children get hungry fast that’s why we need to give them whole and quality foods that can help their gut to feel full longer and provide the needed energy daily. This wonder crop is the best solution!
Potatoes are naturally fat free, low-fat and packed with nutrients that’s good for kids. It provides carbohydrate, potassium and energy that is essential particularly to kids who need ample energy to perform well at school. Studies show that a potato contains these nutrients that can help your kid bustle with energy:
- Carbohydrates: The food we consume daily contains nutrients that have what our body needs to tackle the day. These nutrients in food are the three major groups such as fat, protein and carbohydrates. While the two main forms of carbohydrates are sugars (fructose, glucose and lactose) and starch that is usually found in foods such as grains, rice, bread, starchy vegetables and more.
- B Vitamins: Provides energy and helps body to put carbohydrates to work.
- Fiber: Helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
- Vitamin C: Essential vitamin to attain and maintain healthy skin, bones and hair.
- Folate: Helps body make red blood cells.
I love Lamb Weston because their fries are made from real potatoes!!!
Aside from baked, boiled and fried potatoes, here are some baon ideas that can help inspire you to entice your kid to eat this food boost even at school!
Potato and Leek Soup
- Melt butter and add the onions and chopped leeks on pan. Stir cook until tender.
- Stir in the chicken broth and the potatoes into this mixture. Stir until the potatoes are tenderly cooked.
- Add the half-and-half into this soup and cook on a low flame for about 15 minutes, until the soup thickens a little.
- Add the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper while stirring the soup. Cook for another five minutes until the cheddar melts.
Potato Sandwich
- Slice potato into 1/2 inch slices
- Heat to medium temperature. Fry both sides of the potato (about 3-5 minutes per side) until the potato is cooked thoroughly.
- Once a slice is almost cooked, add a slice of cheese and allow it to partially melt. Remove from heat and add cucumber slices and lettuce.
Cheesy Potato Pancake
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- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups mashed potatoes, 1 large egg, ¼ cup flour and 2 Tbsp chopped chives. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture together until well mixed. If the potatoes are too flimsy and can’t hold its patty shape, you can add flour a Tablespoon at a time.
- Place a heaping tablespoonful of potato mixture between your palms and form into a round, ⅓” thick patty. Cover both sides of the patty that you’ve created in bread crumbs and set on a cutting board. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
- Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat with enough oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Slowly add patties in a single layer into the pan once the oil is of perfect temperature (hot enough) and sauté 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining patties, adding more oil as needed. I usually have 2 skillets going at once to finish sooner.
I hope that you like these recipes that I’ve shared with you. Don’t forget to buy potatoes that have a Potatoes USA seal like this:
Please visit https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/ for more information!
