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If you are a parent, the issue of your kids being fussy eaters is nothing new. Any child over one year old would go through that phase of being picky on what they want to eat and drink. Even though it might be a struggle at first, but every child would eventually get through it. However, in the meantime, it is your responsibility as a parent to ensure that your child receives the complete nutrients they need.
If a child’s meals are nutritionally balanced over a week, then it can be considered that their health needs are taken off. On the other hand, some children might be incredibly picky eaters, refusing all types of food entirely. This can lead to a nutritional deficiency that can impact the child’s physical development in the long run.
In addition, forcing your child to eat is never an option, as they will retaliate more, which will only create more problems for you. But it is never wrong to slip food in! When we talk about slipping food in, we mean that you can easily sneak in fruits and veggies by making juices and smoothies- all the good stuff that kids really love.
Juices and smoothies are among the most common and excellent ways to sneak in ingredients your child does not like to consume. Making smoothies often require yoghurt or milk, whereas juices are lighter and watery.
Of course, you can always purchase juice boxes in bundles at the supermarket, considering that it is the easier choice. However, if your child’s health is your top priority, you might need to rethink that idea. Mass-produced packaged juices are not the best option as they often contain high preservatives and sugar. Therefore, preparing fresh juices at home is the healthiest route you can take to ensure your child’s and your family’s health.
We’ve compiled a list of the simplest, healthiest and tastiest juice recipes for kids that you can easily make at home with a juicer. Preparing these juices does not take much time as most require readily available ingredients. The good news is some of these are also suitable for infants!
1. Tomato Juice (Suitable for Babies)
Tomato is an ingredient we use in our dishes daily, often without thinking about the advantages. It is high in a variety of nutrients, particularly lycopene. However, raw tomatoes can be challenging for babies to digest, so making them into juice is the better option. This recipe can be best served to babies over eight months.
2. Carrot Juice (Suitable for Babies)
Root-based veggies are frequently among the first meals given to newborns once they start their weaning process. Carrots, like potatoes, are some of the parents’ favourite choices, owing to their natural sweetness. They are also high in beta carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A, which is necessary for immunity and visual acuity. Hence, this is why this juice is a popular choice for parents, as it ensures excellent vision in the long run.
3. Grape Juice (Suitable for Babies)
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Grapes are high in vitamins B, C, and K, as well as phytonutrients that are beneficial to general health. However, it is known that grapes are a choking hazard for newborns, so many parents tend to avoid offering this fruit to their children. Hence, this grape juice is a simple solution to this issue while ensuring that your infant does not miss out on all the health benefits.
1. Constipation Juice (Suitable for Babies)
Constipation is one of the most unpleasant but prevalent illnesses that affect babies. It’s heartbreaking to witness newborns suffering from this problem. However, this constipation drink made with apple, pomegranate, and raisins is an excellent home cure which can act as a natural remedy for your baby.
2. Freshly Squeezed Lemonade
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What is the coolest drink to sip on a hot sunny day? We can all agree that it needs to be the basic, old lemonade! You can make freshly squeezed lemonade with only three ingredients: water, sugar and fresh lemon. Remember to make a big jug of this drink in the summer, as it will be gone before you know it!
1. Winter Sunrise Juice
Thought juices were only for the summer? Consider again! This winter sunrise drink is complete with nutritious ingredients to keep your immunity at its best during the season when most people are susceptible to getting sick. This juice contains turmeric, ginger, apples, carrots, and oranges, all of which are recognised to be traditionally healing ingredients.
2. Carrot Pineapple Orange Juice
Why drink plain orange juice when you can transform it into something more impressive? You should check out this juice recipe which includes carrots, pineapples, and mango! If mangoes are unavailable in your nearest supermarket, you can still prepare this juice with the remaining ingredients; it will taste just as fantastic.
3. Orange Honey Cough Juice
Cough is a common sickness that hits a lot of children during the winter season. While it is typically not dangerous, it may create a lot of worry for parents, especially during the cold weather, as it can prolong the ailment. If your child is infected with a cough, we suggest treating it with this orange and honey drink. Honey has been used as a natural cough cure for generations due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory qualities. However, do keep in mind that honey should not be given to babies under the age of one year.
When making these juices for your kids, we have several tips for you to consider. For example, when picking the ingredients to make the juice, make sure that at least one of the fruits is your child’s favourite. You can also chill it inside the fridge before serving it on hot sunny days.
Additionally, do not forget always to pick the freshest ingredients as it always makes a difference in flavour. If the juice is not sweet on its own, you can always add date syrup or jaggery to make it more savoury. Last, serve it in interesting mugs or glasses to attract your kid’s attention into drinking it.
