By Mauricio Prinzlau
It is certainly no child’s play persuading your children to finish their food, especially when it looks dull and unappealing. And as a parent you must be well aware of the trials and tribulations involved in getting your kid to eat his fruits and veggies. Fresh fruits are full of nutrients necessary for your child’s growth, and a smart way to persuade your kids to consume it is by juicing them! Yes a glass of organic fruit juice that looks vibrant enough to tempt the child but is high on nutrition as well. Mentioned below are some healthy and scrumptious juicing recipes for kids:
How are fruit juices beneficial?
A pretty convenient and quick breakfast fix, fruit juices keep your child energised all day long. It contains all the vitamins and minerals to fulfil the nutritional need of their developing bodies. But before we move on to the recipes, let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts of juicing.
• Babies should solely depend on the other’s milk for nutrition. Avoid giving them fruit juices
• For children aged 2 to 12 years, it is recommended that you dilute the juice (with water) and give it to them in limited quantities
• Start out slow and then gradually increase their nutrient intake, don’t worry though, fruits juices are absolutely safe
• It is best that you get a Juicer and prepare the juice yourself rather than get store bough juice boxes laden with artificial colours and preservatives,
• Incorporate green veggies such as spinach, kale, beets into the juice but in very small proportions. Such strong juices are better suited for adults
• Don’t stick to just one particular fruit introduce your child to a variety of fruit juices.
The recipes
Juicing is a great way to get your child to eat his fruits and veggies. Given below are some juicing recipes especially designed for kids and approved by kids.
Apple and orange juice
When it comes to kids, apples and oranges are among the traditional favourites. The naturally sweet tastes of the apples combined with the slightly tangy oranges are a hit among children! Apples are rich in antioxidants that flush out the toxic wastes, while oranges are replete with vitamin C that boosts immunity and strengthens the body. You would need:
• 2 apples (or carrots)
• 2 oranges
Juice the apples in an electric juicer then mix some hand squeezed orange juice with it. You can even add 2 carrots in place of the apples to add a little variety.
Carrot pear and orange juice
Naturally vibrant and slightly sweet, carrots are among the best loved vegetables among kids. And the fact that it is packed with nutrients makes it a hit among parents as well! Rich in vitamin A and other minerals, carrots are good for the eyes and immunity. Also pears and oranges contain many minerals necessary for growth. You would need:
• 2 carrots
• 1 pear
• 1 orange
Juice the carrots and pear in an electric juicer and orange in a hand one, as most conventional juicers don’t support citrus fruits. Mix the two and serve it fresh.
Mango pineapple and kale juice
Mango is one fruit that every kid loves! Rich in glucose and carbohydrates, mango pulp is a great ingredient for smoothies and fruit juices. Also pineapple only enhances the nutritional value and taste of the juice. Balance this sweetness by adding a bit of kale into the mixture. Full of vitamins A, C and K, kale takes care of the health factor. You would need:
• 1 mango
• A cup of fresh chopped pineapple
• A cup of freshly chopped kale leaves (approx. 3 to 4)
Juice the pineapple pieces and chopped kale leaves in a juicer then add mango pulp to it, ensure that you juice the kale first.
Once your child is accustomed to juices, gradually start increasing the health quotient of the juice. The trick is to add some vegetables and balance it with the sweetness of the fruit. Tomato and carrot are well loved veggies among kids; add to that some apples and you’ve got yourself a winner! But to keep things healthy, you can also mix a bit of spinach to the mixture. Rich in vitamins and minerals, spinach purifies the blood and strengthens muscles. You would need:
• 2 carrots
• 1 apple
• 1 tomato
• A cup of freshly chopped spinach leaves
Juice all the ingredients, starting with the spinach, mix it all up and serve fresh. Your kid will love it!
Beet apple spinach juice
Easy on the eyes, the vibrant red of the beet combined with the sweetness of the apple and health of spinach gives you a wholesome energy drink. You would need:
• 1 apple
• 1 medium size peeled
• A cup of chopped spinach
Juice all the ingredients, mix it and serve fresh!