A Twist On All Time Favorites

Healthy desserts sound extremely boring. After all, desserts are an indulgence that makes us throw caution to the wind.

But when it comes to kids who absolutely love desserts, we, parents tend to worry especially since obesity – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity, diabetes – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_1 and adult heart diseases are threats that raise concerns.

Following are a few healthy desserts for kids. Make them and encourage your children to try these. Make sure you do not stock up on unhealthy sugary desserts at home.

• Fruits – Grapes, bananas, apples, oranges, narang, mango, melon are all excellent health foods for kids. Have a fruit as dessert after a meal. Or dice fruits like papaya or melon and have it in the fridge for snacks. Try using a shape cutter and cut it into interesting shapes to make it a fun meal. Get your kids to help with making a fruit salad and serve with a touch of ice cream for dessert.

• Chocolate Banana – I’m sure you amma’s all know this. Dip a banana in melted chocolate, coat in nuts and freeze. It makes an excellent delicious and healthy treat for children.

• Yoghurt – This is an excellent low sugar meal for kids in Sri Lanka. Plain yoghurt is the best choice. Ask your child to help make a yoghurt parfait which is fruits layered with yoghurt and a crunchy granola bar or even our smashed up rulang biscuits (coconut and semolina) and macaroons –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaroon add a nice flavour. Announce at the table that the dessert was made by your kids and they will proudly eat it.

• Bread and Chocolate Spread – Here’s how you add some chocolate into the healthy sweet treats for kids. Opt for brown bread cut into strips, coat with chocolate spread or Nutella – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutella and serve. You could try adding some chopped nuts on the spread if they prefer.

 Give it a twist by grilling two slices of the bread stuffed with chocolate spread or even plain old cooking chocolate. Note that, dark chocolate is much lower in sugar than plain milk chocolate.

Smoothies – I make this for my son who dislikes milk with a vengeance. Add milk, Sustagen – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustagen or any other similar powder, Milo – (drink) or chocolate powder, sugar and blend with warm or iced water. Once frothy serve in a tall glass with a twisty straw. Kids love the taste and it’s wholesome. It’s an ideal low sugar energy booster drink for children in Sri Lanka just before sitting down for studies.

smoothies can also include fruits, yoghurt and milk. Try a variety of fruits and get your kids to sample and vote for the best taste. To make it more interesting you could add a scoop of ice cream.

These are just a few suggestions. Surf the web for healthy low sugar desserts for kids and invent your own tasty and healthy snacks. Remember to set the example, by instilling healthy eating habits in your children from a young age. Teach them control over food and raise healthy children.