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'Healthy' Junk Foods for Kids - Some Tried and 'Tasted' Mommy Tricks
We are forgetting the goodness of age-old Indian food these days. As I have observed, many parents are giving junk foods like pizza, burgers, Maggi to their kids routinely; either to fulfil the child's demands or their own cravings.
Junk foods have taken a top place in birthday parties, movie halls, Sunday outings, and picnics. Many junk food outlets are packed with kids of all ages, who are happily eating unhealthy, empty calories. It's so addictive that once tasted, kids will crave for more. It can have extremely deleterious effects on health if consumed in excess. Early onset of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, coronary blockages are already prevalant in the Indian population. Childhood obesity is also an emerging problem these days.
So How Do We, Mothers, Tackle This Tactfully?
The most important thing is that when we expect to make diet changes for a kid, it applies to the whole family. Kids will not accept the change if parents are eating all the forbidden things.
Also never introduce any unhealthy foods to babies, between 6 months to 3 years of age, not even a bite. That's the best age to set good eating habits. After 3 years of age, the child will be having it by some means, of course, by insisting or crying for it.
Here are some tips to, at least, make junk foods healthier for the kids; that way you can keep the nutrition balanced.
1. Pizza
Children usually eat cheese burst, double cheese or extra cheese pizza, as it's free of veggies and less spicy! Watch the amount of cheese your kid is eating. It's a fine source of protein and calcium but it's high in saturated fats and sodium too which is harmful for the heart in the long run.
So the best thing is to bake a homemade pizza! You can limit the amount of cheese and add enough amount of veggies to it. Finely chop capsicum, tomato, onions, cabbage, quickly stir fry, toss with cheese, so veggies don't appear prominently. Make a fresh homemade pizza sauce instead of a packed one if possible.
Try making some cartoon faces with pizza toppings too!
2. French Fries
Always buy the smallest possible pack if you are buying it for your kid. Try homemade fries, shallow fried potato wedges whenever possible.
It might take your time but at least you will be sure about the quality of oil used.
Also try to introduce healthy crunchy items like poha\rice papad, khakhra to your kid.
3. Burgers
Food chain burgers are loaded with cheese, mayonnaise, high amounts of salts and oils. Always choose the one with lots of veggies. Try homemade varieties which will be always safer.
4. Maggi and Ready-to-Eat Soups, Noodles
These are high in preservatives, sodium, and artificial colours.
Try giving a homemade Maggi masala, vermicelli upma with veggies, homemade soups which are much better alternatives.
5. Chocolates, Cakes, Pastries
Limiting intake of chocolates, cakes, pastries is a tough job but again replacement with laddoos, homemade sooji or atta cakes, whole wheat biscuits will do the job.
Offer cut fruits, fruit plates, banana swirls, strawberry cream, orange marmalades which are easy to make and have a good amount of vitamins and minerals in them.
6. Frozen Foods
People keep on buying frozen yoghurts, flavoured yoghurts, Greek yoghurt, cheese packs, yakult, thinking that it's wholesome. Yes, it can be healthy if taken occasionally, but it's loaded with artificial flavours and sugars.
We do have fresh homemade curd, lassi, buttermilk which are excellent sources of probiotics and calcium along with a minimal amount of hazardous fats.
7. Packed Energy Drinks, Soft Drinks
These can never match the goodness, benefits of neembupani/shikanji, coconut water, kokam sharbat in summers.
There is one more hack here, which is very simple but rarely done.
Save some empty food boxes, ice cream cups, yoghurt containers, soft drink bottles or glasses with straws, for reusing. Put your homemade, healthy foods\ juices in it and pack it up.
Get some attractive wrapping papers, prepare homemade chocolates with dry fruits, date rolls, wrap them up in a professional way using your creativity. Your kids will love them for sure! Smartly fool your kids for their good health.
All parents should discuss and decide together about the kids birthday parties which should happen in a healthy way, with minimal junk foods, as future health is a top priority here.
Make use of cartoons such as Popeye who eats spinach, Bugs Bunny who eats carrots and many such shows or books which will re-emphasize the benefits of healthy eating. Limit TV time and YouTube time as food advertisements will have a negative impact on all your efforts.
It's high time we follow our own culture, Indian practices and a healthy diet, for our kids' sake. After all, it's a matter of the heart!!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Choosing and Buying the Best Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is a very handy gadget which lets you keep a calm mind even when you are not around to monitor your baby. Do you incessantly worry about your baby when you're working, completing your chores or in another room? With a baby monitor, you can be with your kiddo always, virtually!
What is a Baby Monitor?
A baby monitor is a tracking system that consists of a transmitter in the baby’s room and a receiver in the parent’s room, with sounds transmitted via radio waves. From simple, easy-to-use baby monitors to expensive and sophisticated ones, you can choose one based on budget, space and need.
With this device, you can be aware of your child’s movements even when not physically present in the room. For instance, if your baby is sleeping, you can work in another room uninterrupted and get up to attend to your baby when you hear him cry on the monitor. This makes a baby monitor a must buy for the busy modern mom!
Different Types and Features of Baby Monitors
Basic: This lets you listen to the sounds from your baby’s room.
Two Way: This lets both you and your baby listen to sounds from each other's rooms.
Wireless: This shifts from room to room with the baby. From bedroom to bathroom to play area, you can track all your baby's actions.
Video Monitors: These have video facilities that enable you to see your baby on a screen.
Advanced: This monitor sends out an alarm if your baby’s sleep or breathing pattern is interrupted.
Features to Look for When Buying a Baby Monitor
The vast variety of features and types of monitors can make buying one confusing and difficult, especially for first-time parents. This quick guide on what to look for can help you avoid pitfalls to make the right choice:
1. Analog or digital
Analog monitors are priced lower but have poor sound quality compared to the digital ones. If you're looking to smoothly listen to your baby's breathing (or crying!), you should go for a digital monitor.
2. Audio or video
The video facility is definitely an advantage but takes the price up several notches. This might not be necessary if there are other people at home or your family lives in a small house.
3. Security
Buying a monitor with the “DECT standard” (Digital Electronic Cordless Telephones) for security will ensure that the transmission is secure and no one else can overhear.
4. Frequency
Baby monitors are available in three frequencies – 49 megahertz, 900 megahertz and 2.4 gigahertz. They offer different levels of interference and clarity, so test them before buying.
5. Size
The smaller the receiver, the more easily it can be carried around the house.
6. Low battery indicator
A monitor with no battery charge is useless so you must get one with an indicator to show you when to plug in.
7. Multiple receivers
This is useful if you live in a particularly large house with multiple stories, a garden or a pool. This is also helpful if you have extra people at home who can each keep a receiver.
When you're going shopping for a baby monitor, these tips should come in handy. Don't feel overwhelmed by all the options and instead make a list of your exact requirements beforehand. Now you needn’t worry about your little munchkin in the next room! Read more
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New mom with zero experiences and with new love of my life
I became mom on 6th May 2017 coz that day I got to know that I m pregnant🤗. After that my pregnancy is like a new challenge everyday. New pain with a new day. Mood swings , teary eyes , anger, and many more. One day I saw , I am bleeding , with scary thought and heavy heart ,I ran to hospital . There I came to know I m hospitalised for a week in the Labour room. Every night there was like a challenge for me " A MENTAL CHALLENGE". ladies screaming there due to pain and I was like I shall go to this pain?? Ofcourse , why not this thought came to my mind . All of this was happened to me for the first time.
And days passes on with the new challenges and pain.. And the day came with labour pain but nor that extreme one . I got admitted in the hospital and got to know c-section is going to be done . And now a new thing comes in my mind , how the c-section going to be done ? What they suppose to do with me? With all the scary thought the nursees took me to OT . Inject me anaesthesia in my backbone and my bottom part was so chilled and nursees put iron pipe. Everything that happened to me was new . The doctor came and start operaating me . I closed my eyes and continuesly saying , please god a boy a boy please and this is just because of my in laws keep saying "munda jamle munda jamle " and after some one nurse came to me and said it's a boy and showed me his susu . And the first thought came to my mind after all that " iski bahu kaisi aayegi " and closed my eyes to rest . And let's not forget the date it's 12th January 2018. Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. it's my 5 month n I still didn't went for check up yet not even once is it okay if I go now or?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. You should have started going from the very beginning itself once you get to know you’re pregnant but since you haven’t reached that now if you’re pregnancy has been healthy last five months please get it checked with your doctor also if you need to start with any supplements or diet the doctor would advise you after a ultrasound so please visit your gynaecologist
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. size chart is not correct for age of the baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. generally it is available from Indian academy growth chart download from Google. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
3 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
57 mins ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
6 mins ago
A. hi
ideally it can be taken or done as one's expected period date has passed.
you can get accurate result as oppose to relying on early pre period testing method that can lead to faulty results in such cases.
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
51 mins ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
47 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. You can take pregnancy test after 1 month of missing your period. If the test comes negative then please try again after one week. Also it is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly.
Thanks and take care
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