Healthy Meal Ideas for School-Age Kids: A Dietitian's Perspective
As a parent, ensuring your child eats a balanced diet can be challenging, especially during the school year. In this article, Dietitian Michelle shares her expertise on healthy meal ideas for school-age kids.
Understanding Your Child’s Needs
Before we dive into meal ideas, remember that every child is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Consider consulting a dietitian for a customized plan.
Breakfast Options
For Dietitian Michelle‘s kids, breakfast includes:
School Meals and Snacks
-
- Cooked meals by 10:00 a.m. and snacks by 12:00 p.m.
Pack healthy options like:
-
- Rice and stew
-
- Yam and egg sauce
-
- Pasta
-
- Jollof or fried rice
-
- Bean pottage or swallows
Healthy Snack Ideas
-
- Natural drinks: zobo, kunu, pineapple juice
-
- Snacks: Plantain chips, Irish potato chips, Sweet potato chips, Kuli-kuli, Peanut brittle etc.
Home Snacks and Dinner
-
- Light snacks: rice masa and tea, acha (fonio) masa and yogurt
-
- Dinner: balanced meals with calcium-rich foods and fruits/vegetables
Tips and Reminders
-
- Preserve and reheat food properly to avoid spoilage and poisoning
-
- Consider your child’s stress level and adjust meal plans accordingly
-
- Limit processed foods and choose options with minimal preservatives
By following these healthy meal ideas and tips, you’ll be well on your way to supporting your child’s nutritional needs.
Customized Diet Plan
Consult with Citadel Nutrition Consult to create a personalized diet plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. Visit this link to consult now.
You can also get my course on Child Nutrition when you visit this Link.
Ask Your Questions
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!