Foods Or Body Parts? 12 Unique Ideas To Keep Your Kids Healthy!
Kids have an innate tendency to be fussy eaters, especially in their early years. What’s worse? They seem to be drawn toward all things unhealthy! With this in mind, child experts have zeroed down on a golden mantra to get your children interested in fruits and vegetables – the otherwise “boring” foods that get the worst scowls! When you want to get your child to eat these 12 foods, all you have to do is associate it with a body part.
But wait, here’s the magic – the foods in question actually directly benefit the body part they resemble!
1. Carrot and Eye
Uncannily similar, eh? A sliced carrot looks a lot like a human eye. But munching carrots increases blood flow to the eyes as well! Carrots are extremely rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, flavonoids, and phytochemicals – all of which keep your child’s eyes in perfect health. Try out a Carrot and Cranberry Cake to get started – it takes less than half an hour to prepare!
2. Avocado and Womb
Ever looked at an avocado during pregnancy and found it oddly similar to the oval shape of your womb? What if we tell you avocados also take approximately nine months to grow from blossom to ripened fruit? Here’s more – they actually support reproductive health as well! They are a good source of folic acid that prevents congenital abnormalities in a baby. For your kids too, they can help balance hormones, maintain a healthy weight, and even prevent cancer. Avocados taste incredible with chicken; just try your hand at an Avocado and Chicken Wrap recipe. It’s perfect for your child’s breakfast!
3. Tomatoes and Heart
No, we are not basing this one only on the red colour. Tomatoes, which also contain four chambers just like the human heart, are rich sources of the pigment lycopene – a great help in preventing coronary heart disease! Plus, the folate in tomatoes aids the production of red blood cells that help in transporting oxygen in the blood, thus ensuring healthy blood circulation. This evening, make a warm and hearty bowl of Tomato Soup for your little ones!
4. Walnut and Brain
Walnuts are true-copies of the brain; that resemblance is no coincidence! They are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which encourage brain development in children. Moreover, walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuro-transmitters for brain function! This gives you and you kids the perfect reason to gorge on some yummy Coffee Walnut Muffins.
5. Grapes and Alveoli in Lungs
Grapes have an old connection with branches – that’s why we have a grapevine. But did you ever realise how similar they look to the branches of alveoli, the tiny air sacs in our lungs? Our alveoli allow oxygen to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream. Regular consumption of grapes helps keep them in order and reduce the risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and allergies. Time to get started with this Semolina Halwa with Banana and Grapes already!
6. Mushrooms and Ears
One look at a half-sliced mushroom and the resemblance with the human ear is apparent. But, the really interesting part is that mushrooms contain vitamin D – an essential nutrient for healthy bone development and proper hearing. They are especially good for the three tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain. Whip up some Mushroom Meatball Noodles; the kids will lap it up!
7. Celery and Bones
Long, lean stalks of celery, don’t they look just like the structure of our bones? It gets better – celery specifically targets bone strength! It’s rich in silicon and vitamin K – both of which are needed for healthy joints and bones. Did you know bones are made up of 23% sodium, and that celery is a great source of sodium too? Double whammy!
8. Sweet Potatoes and Pancreas
Sweet potatoes don’t just look like the human pancreas; they also work like pancreas! By balancing the glycemic index of people with diabetes and supplying beta-carotene, sweet potatoes protect your child’s tissues from damage. Not to forget, they are so tasty that your digestive system is happy anyway! Have you tried making a Sweet Potato Kheer yet?
9. Ginger and Stomach
Even if you didn’t make this connection before, this picture has surely changed that, right? Ginger not only looks like the stomach, but it also aids in digestion! It also has the ability to prevent nausea and vomiting and cure motion sickness. Special bonus – it also slows down the growth rate of bowel tumours. We recommend the delicious Sukku (Dry Ginger) Kuhzambu for your family; it has a wonderful blend of flavours.
10. Banana and Smile
Eating a banana will cheer your kids up and put a smile on their face. Don’t believe us? Well, it is no sheer chance that the banana resembles a smile. This fruit contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which gets converted into a neurotransmitter called serotonin – a mood-regulating chemical in the brain! Bananas can actually be termed as anti-depressant drugs since they adjust the level of serotonin production in the brain. If you’re still unsure, just cook some yummy Banana Fritters today and wait for the reactions.
11. Ginseng Root and Human Body
The medicinal ginseng root has its goodness written all over; it resembles the human body in entirety! Rightly so, because it is a holistic cure for maintaining your overall health and dealing with a vast range of ailments. In fact, many revitalising multivitamin supplements have ginseng as a part of the formulation.
12. Kidney Beans and Kidneys
What’s in a name, you ask? Quite a lot, it seems! Our favourite red kidneys beans are shaped like human kidneys because they actually help maintain kidney function! This is because they contain molybdenum, which helps your body to detoxify. Why not try out a delectable Red Kidney Bean Dhokla With Paneer – a recipe that tastes as divine as it sounds!
Fascinating, isn’t it? The cue to the goodness of different foods lies right within nature! Now all you have to do is whip up some delicious recipes, add a big dollop of Mamma’s special brand of love, and bingo. We guarantee you will have a fruit and veggies’ lover at home!