Childhood is one of the most vital periods of life. Children are active and due to rapid growth; they require the Nutrients in their health maintenance and boosting up immunity. Each meal and snack they eat should contribute to fulfilling their daily nutritional needs. School Tiffin is one of the essential meals for children to bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch. So it is the responsibility of a child’s parents and especially a Mother to learn, to be aware about their constitution, season, their activities, age, & where do you live. Child follows their parents’ eating behaviors, meal timings, lifestyle, eating attitudes, so indirectly it’s you whom they look up to. Usually parent’s nowadays think in the language of calories, but in a child’s case you should think according to their Nutrition.
According to Ayurved, one’s constitution (Prakriti) is established at conception, and it remains constant over the course of a lifetime. And childhood is the Kapha stage of life and is ruled by the Water & Earth elements. Kapha Dosha is directly related to Physical structure, if it goes excess through Food, Lifestyle, they have to suffer endless cold, chronic infections, or frequent trips to the Doctor. So their food should be warm or hot, fibrous food like fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Their food should be cooked properly, using digestive spices like Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, etc.
Ayurvedic approach is preventive to well-being and as a parent we should work on their Digestive Fire, their bowel movement, Daily Food, daily intake of Water, the Tiffin & Water bottle they are carrying, and for this you need your Ayurvedic Consultant’s opinion, not the knowledge you get through Google / Social Media. .
MOMMY TIPS: Mothers are often responsible for determining food quantity, and quality of food. Tiffin food should be tasty, healthy for kids.Tiffin foods should not only give satiety but also fulfil the dietary needs of children, so keep a balance between Micronutrients (Vitamins & Minerals) & Fibre-rich foods like Vegetables,Fruits, Dry fruits (like- Dates, Raisins) and Nuts (like-Walnuts, Almonds).
Water: Water is one of the body’s most essential nutrients. But the daily amount of water depends on factors such as age, weight, gender, season & activity level.
Sarbat: According to season you can add different homemade Sarbat’s like Kokum, Lemon, Amla, Aam panha, etc. as an energizer. But it should not be like Packed Juices, Juice with the sugar syrups & preservatives.
Quantity: Quantity of food is very necessary, and some factors are influential in their Food behaviours. They are, parental & families food habits and feeding strategies, community, society, & Media
- Chew the food properly.
- Do not talk and eat at the same time.
- Do not drink too much water while eating.
- Include the food seeing the seasonal changes.
- Do not watch T.V. or Mobile while eating.
- Even if you can afford, keep your food basic & local.
- And last but not the least, Family breakfasts / meals are playing an important role in their eating pattern in school Tiffins.
