Nutrient-packed dishes for picky eaters

Signs of a picky eater always make mothers worried, affecting the serious development of the child.

Here are 4 nutritious dishes for picky eaters that mothers can consider to add to their menu!

Dish 1: Congee with young tofu and pork

Young tofu is easy to eat and is considered a highly nutritious food for children, rich in protein. Deliciously cooked with pork, tofu becomes a tasty dish for picky eaters that mothers should not overlook.

Ingredients:

- Cooked white rice: 20g

- Vegetable oil: 5g

- Young tofu: 5g

- Pork: 10g 

- Filtered water: 200ml

Preparation:

- Clean the pork and tofu, put them in boiling water, and finely chop

- Wait until the congee is cooked, add the pork and tofu mixture, stir well, and let the child enjoy

Dish 2: Red Bean Egg Congee

Eggs are delicious and nutritious, while red beans are rich in vitamin B and a large amount of alkaline substances, making them effective in detoxification. Red bean husks also promote bowel movements, eliminating residue and debris in the intestines. The alkaline substances stimulate peristalsis to expel toxins. Therefore, when a child shows signs of picky eating, mothers should feed them red bean egg congee for efficient digestion.

Ingredients:

- Ground brown rice: 2 tablespoons

- Softened red beans: 1 tablespoon

- Egg yolk: 1 piece

- Water: Over 2 cups

- Fortunate water, sugar

Preparation:

- Rinse the rice thoroughly, soak it in boiling water for 1 hour, wait until the rice is slightly softened, then scoop it out and let it drain.

- Grind the red beans into a smooth paste, mix evenly with 1/2 cup of water, strain to extract the liquid.

- Steam the egg yolk until cooked, then mash it into a smooth paste.

- Place the rice and 2 cups of water on the stove, cook until the congee is thick, add the red bean water and egg, stir well. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes. Season with spices to taste, then remove from heat.

Dish 3: Crocodile Meat Powder

Ingredients: 

- Crocodile meat: 10g

- Chicken egg yolks: 2 pieces

- Vietnamese bananas: 12g

Processing method: 

Dry the pliable dried bananas, crush them with beaten chicken eggs, dry and grind into powder. Mix the three ingredients, crush and dry again, then pack into portions or put in a gradual feeding jar. For children under 1 year old, administer 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon each time. For children over 3 years old, administer 3 teaspoons each time.

Dish 4: Field Crab Congee

Field crabs are rich in protein and calcium. When cooked into congee, it becomes a delicious and nutritious dish that mothers should not overlook for picky eaters.

When your baby is 9 months or older, it's recommended to prepare field crab congee for them at least once a week. Crabs offer numerous health benefits, being rich in protein for weight gain, abundant in calcium to prevent bone diseases, and notably, providing a substantial amount of zinc that stimulates appetite. The aromatic, delicious, and creamy texture of field crab congee promotes rapid weight gain in children.

Here are some ways to cook field crab congee to overcome your child's picky eating habits.

Ingredients for cooking field crab congee for children: (Serves 4-5)

- Quality rice: 1 can of rice (the amount can be adjusted based on your preference for a thin or thick congee)

- Field crabs: 500-600g

- Green onions, cilantro

- Dried onions: 50g

- Fried dough sticks (for adults only, not recommended for children)

- Seasonings, fish sauce, chili, pepper

Preparation:

Step 1: Wash the rice, soak it in water for about 45-60 minutes. Then drain and put it in a pressure cooker, simmer on low heat until the rice expands and becomes soft.

Step 2: Clean the field crabs, separate the claws, and remove the apron. Crush the crab shells and set aside.

Step 3: Crush the crabs in a mortar, add a bit of salt, strain and collect the liquid, discard the residue.

Step 4: Bring the crab-infused water to the stove, stir until the crab meat begins to coagulate. When the water boils and the crab meat forms chunks, reduce the heat, remove the crab shells.

Step 5: Mothers add 3-4 tablespoons of white rice to the crab-infused water, simmer on low heat to make the congee soft and smooth for easy consumption by children. Keep the heat low to prevent the congee from overflowing.

Step 6: Next, sauté dried onions with a bit of cooking oil, then add the crushed crab shells to stir-fry until fragrant. Followed by the crab meat, you can add fish sauce for flavor. Transfer the crab mixture to a separate bowl. When the congee is cooked, season to taste and add the crab mixture, and a little chopped coriander (optional for children who don't like it).

Step 7: Finally, mothers scoop the congee into a bowl, add a little sautéed dried onions for aroma. Now you have a delicious and nutritious crab congee for your picky eater at home.

Especially, this congee is suitable for all age groups, so you can cook it for the whole family to enjoy together.

Things mothers need to note when feeding children field crab:

- Avoid feeding your baby dead field crabs as they may be contaminated with bacteria, leading to potential poisoning.

- It's advisable to feed your baby immediately after cooking the congee because leaving it for too long may result in an unpleasant taste.

- Cook and serve the congee for your baby as soon as it's prepared, as crab meat is prone to spoilage. If there are leftovers, store them carefully in the refrigerator.

- Crab congee must be thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your baby. Never give children raw crab congee.

- If your baby is experiencing digestive disorders or diarrhea, it's essential to avoid feeding them field crab congee.

In addition to incorporating the above-mentioned dishes, mothers should: Ensure that the child eats at regular intervals, maintains moderate portion sizes, consumes easily digestible and nutrient-rich foods, and eats warm and freshly cooked meals. Avoid overfeeding, refrain from giving the child excessively cold or raw foods, and limit excessively fatty dishes. As the child begins to recover, gradually increase the food intake. Divide meals into smaller portions so that the child can finish each serving, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption and boosting immunity against illnesses.

Mothers, keep these recipes handy to nurture the quick growth and robust health of your beloved little ones!

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