Research by the World Health Organization has found that much of a child’s health and well-being later on in life depends on what happens during the early childhood development phase. The formative years between the ages of 0 and 8 have a profound impact on a child’s holistic development.
Apart from factors such as a safe home environment, caring parental relationships and socialisation, nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy, happy child – and the key to good nutrition is a balanced diet.
There’s no question about the fact that being a good parent in a hyperconnected, tech-driven, fast-paced world is quite a feat. Daily, parents need to contend with the demands of their careers, their own personal needs as well as their familial responsibilities.
For most parents, time is a rare commodity, so preparing wholesome, healthy meals and snacks for the household is sometimes placed on the back burner.
The challenge, however, is that a child’s first few years provide a window into the rest of their lives, and during this time diet is a critical factor.
There are four key developmental areas that are influenced by what a child eats:
The first is brain development: Nutritious, vitamin-rich food supports healthy cognitive function and aspects such as memory and learning abilities. The second is immunity: The best way to prevent disease is for children to eat foods that contain the vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the body’s defences and reduce susceptibility to infections. Thirdly, nutrition impacts gastrointestinal health, and maintaining digestive balance is crucial to the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. The fourth factor is growth and development – eating healthy meals and snacks has a direct impact on the child’s physical and cognitive growth and emotional development.
Studies have shown the best thing parents can do when a lack of time calls for a quick fix is to opt for products that can provide their child with nutritional support while ticking all four of the above boxes.
It’s recommended to always keep an eye out for omega-3, a good fat that acts as the fuel to get your brain’s neurons firing. Micronutrients such as iron and selenium and vitamins A, C and E may support the body’s immune system, while HMO and oligofructose are prebiotics that may support the growth of good bacteria for a happy gut. Two other very important ingredients to consider are calcium and vitamin D, which are the body’s best workhorses when it comes to strong bones and teeth.
So, if you’re looking for all these ingredients in a one-stop solution, Alula Gold Kid Ready-To-Drink and the Alula Gold Kid powder tick all these boxes.
Alula Gold Kid Ready-To-Drink is an easy and convenient lunchbox companion, while the Alula Gold Kid powder can be added to any meal to complement its nutritional value, without too much fuss.
Got 20 minutes? Well, it’s honestly what most parents have at the end of their workday. No worries! Here are two quick lunch and dinner recipes that kids – and their bodies – will love:
Summer Chicken Veggie Wrap (makes 1)
Ingredients
- Whole-grain tortilla wraps
- Chopped green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, tomatoes and lettuce
- Sliced, grilled chicken breast (use herbs and spices as preferred during cooking)
- Tzatziki herb yoghurt sauce, or other sauce of preference
- 2 level scoops/tablespoons Alula Gold Kid powder, mixed into the above sauce
Method
- Heat the tortilla wrap according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Lay out the tortilla wrap on a clean surface. Spread a layer of tzatziki/other sauce onto the tortilla.
- Add the chopped vegetables and chicken.
- Roll op the tortilla tightly and enjoy.
Creamy Tomato and Vegetable Pasta (serves 4)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups steamed mixed vegetables (e.g. carrots, peas, broccoli)
- 1 serving Alula Gold Kid (230ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated cheese
Method
Add grated cheese and serve.
In a bowl, prepare the Alula Gold Kid according to instructions on the tin.
Combine the cooked pasta, diced tomatoes and steamed vegetables in a pan. Pour the Alula Gold Kid milk mixture over the pasta and vegetables.
Heat gently on low heat, stirring until the sauce thickens, or thicken the sauce further with cornstarch (dissolve in water before adding). Avoid bringing the mixture to a boil.
Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
Main image credit: Freepik