Honor Geraghty, nutritional therapist and graduate of CNM, believes that it is imperative to teach your children healthy eating habits now, so that you will perpetuate a healthy lifestyle for them well into their later years.
“Children require a wide range of vitamins and minerals to support their health while they are growing. This is why it is paramount that they consume a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and other nutrient dense foods. I work with kids a lot in my clinic and believe successful outcomes are as a result of getting the children involved, stimulating their interest. Let the child choose a new vegetable every week and together come up with a recipe for it. It is all about using your imagination and being creative to make food more exciting.
Here are a few tips to get you started
• Tempt them with bite-size snacks of cherry tomatoes or grapes.
• Bake apples or bananas with sultanas and serve with creamy Greek yoghurt.
• Cut vegetables into fun shapes to eat with dips.
• Homemade pasta sauce is a great way to hide vegetables from the fussy eaters – blend up carrots, red peppers, courgettes, celery, and kale.
• Make sweet potato chips and oven bake in coconut oil.
• As a healthier alternative to the traditional mashed white potato, why not add in cauliflower (same colour, children will not even notice it ) and sweet potato.
• Instead of the processed varieties, why not make your own fish fingers and chicken goujons.
• Smoothies – as well as fruits, add in spinach and chia seeds, good sources of calcium and iron which are important for the healthy development of your child.”
This article is brought to you by nutritional therapist and College of Naturopathic Medicine graduate, Honor Geraghty, who specialises in children’s health. For information on CNM training in a range of natural health therapies, available in Ireland and beyond, visit www.naturopathy.ie
