Cooking For Children: Which Dishes Are Healthy and Tasty?

When cooking for children, the dishes should always be varied and colorful. After the first year of life, children can basically eat the same as their parents: What is healthy for adults is not wrong for the offspring either: The most important components of a balanced diet are vegetables and fruit. The food pyramid helps with a healthy composition of meals.

Homemade muesli with various cereal flakes, fresh fruit, nuts and yoghurt, quark, or milk is ideal for breakfast. Fresh wholemeal bread is also suitable for children: spread it with a little butter and a thin layer of jam or top it with low-fat turkey breast or cheese. If your child does not like pure milk but prefers to drink cocoa, it is best to pre-cook it with unsweetened cocoa powder and then sweeten it sparingly with sugar or honey.

As a main course, pasta or rice dishes with different sauces come into question. They are very popular with the little ones and can be varied with fresh vegetables, herbs, and meat. However, children do not need meat every day. Three to four meals a week with meat are sufficient for an adequate supply of nutrients.

Vegetables can be processed very well in a casserole. Baked with cheese, children usually also like vegetables that are otherwise despised. For example, cut potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, and carrots into small pieces, put them in a casserole dish, season with fresh herbs, and sprinkle some cheese on top. The casserole is then placed in the oven until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.

Furthermore, homemade pizza is a good idea as the main course for children. Be sparing with toppings like salami, ham, and canned sugared fruit. Use lots of fresh or frozen vegetables, herbs, and not too much cheese. If you make the yeast dough and tomato sauce yourself, leave out the sugar and use only a little salt and olive oil.

Children don’t like everything that adults like. They usually reject very spicy or bitter dishes. Therefore, when cooking for children, use spices such as pepper, chili, etc. sparingly. However, choose lots of mild spices and herbs – this way the dishes will be tasty without having to use a lot of salt or sugar. Both should only be consumed in moderation with a balanced diet.

Tip: This rice pan tastes good for the whole family! Also try it out: make your own pasta!