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Nutritious school catering menu for picky eaters and malnourished children
If you are struggling because your child is a picky eater, do not skip this article. Today, the STAVI school catering company suggests a nutritious menu for your child that is easy to eat and provides full nutrition to help them gain weight quickly.
Image: Nutritious, tasty school catering menu for picky eaters
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So do you know what causes picky eating in children?
When it comes to picky eating, parents always have to think and worry about their child's daily menu. But do parents really know the causes of this picky eating?
Our children are usually picky eaters for the following reasons:
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The child is teething: when teething, children often have symptoms such as fever, pain, discomfort and a lot of crying, so they suddenly lose interest in eating.
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The child is not yet used to the food: at 1 year old, children begin to be introduced to soft rice. Switching diets or changing portions can easily leave children unaccustomed and less willing to eat.
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A boring menu: when children eat the same dish over and over, they easily tire of it, lose interest in meals and become less willing to eat.
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Too many snacks: giving children lots of snacks such as yoghurt, milk pudding, cakes, sweets and so on fills them up and makes them less willing to eat at main meals.
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The child is ill: if a child suddenly loses their appetite and skips meals, along with other signs such as frequent crying, discomfort, irritability and so on, it may be a sign "telling" the mother that the child is ill, most commonly with respiratory infections, digestive disorders and so on.
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Nutrient-boosting menu for children
TOP 1: Bean sprouts
This food contains very large amounts of the micronutrients zinc and selenium. Zinc is an extremely important mineral that helps activate enzymes in the body. Besides an abundance of vitamins and minerals, bean sprouts also contain digestive enzymes that are very beneficial for picky eaters.
Image: Bean sprouts in the nutritious menu
TOP 2: Fish
We can give children mashed fish or fish floss. This is a source of protein, vitamins and minerals that is very good for children's development. In particular, the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, mackerel and other fish are very important for a child's brain and eyes.
Image: Fish in the nutritious menu
TOP 3: Poultry and red meat
These are also very abundant sources of protein, zinc and iron. We can prepare weaning meals for children from poultry such as finely minced chicken or pigeon, then vary the dishes with beef, pork, lamb and so on.
Image: Poultry in the nutritious menu
TOP 4: Yoghurt
This food contains a great many bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system. For young children, yoghurt plays an important role in supplementing good bacteria and destroying harmful bacteria. In addition, yoghurt also helps children prevent certain intestinal illnesses, making their digestive system healthier.
Image: Yoghurt in the nutritious menu
TOP 5: Eggs
These are regarded as a "superfood" for picky eaters and are being used to prepare school meals at STAVI. Eggs contain a great deal of nutrition, such as healthy fats, protein, minerals, vitamin D and amino acids that are essential for a child's development.
Image: Eggs in the nutritious menu
TOP 6: Green vegetables
As a food rich in vitamins and minerals, green vegetables help reduce constipation and cleanse children's intestines.
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Image: Green vegetables in the nutritious menu
TOP 7: Root vegetables and seeds
Like green vegetables, root vegetables and seeds are very rich in vitamins, fibre and health-promoting micronutrients. Moreover, they have a natural sweetness and attractive colours, so they can stimulate children's appetite and help them enjoy their food more. That is why STAVI school catering adds root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beetroot, beans and so on to children's dishes.
Image: Seeds in the nutritious menu
TOP 8: Fresh fruit
Bananas, papayas, guavas, apples, blueberries and so on are fruits very rich in vitamins that are both tasty and help stabilise the digestive system. We can juice or mash fruit and give it to children as a dessert or a snack during the day.
Suggested dishes for picky eaters:
Below are some suggested dishes that have been and are being used in school catering for picky eaters and malnourished children, which parents can refer to:
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For children under 1 year old |
For children aged 1 and over |
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Notes on nutrition for picky eaters and malnourished children
In a child's daily diet, we need to provide all 4 essential nutrient groups:
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Starch and sugars, found in foods such as rice, noodles, rice vermicelli, pho, sweet potatoes, etc.
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Protein, found in foods such as meat, fish, shrimp, eel, crab, etc.
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Fat, found in foods such as oil, lard, butter, cheese, etc.
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Vitamins, minerals and fibre, found in green vegetables, carrots, bananas, oranges, papayas, etc.
Picky eating in children may be due to a lack of important micronutrients such as B vitamins, zinc, iron and so on. We should therefore seek advice from nutrition specialists to supplement the micronutrients our children need.
Never buy tonics or supplements for your child on your own initiative; if used incorrectly, they can have harmful consequences for the child's health.
Delicious dishes for picky eaters combine fresh ingredients, safe cooking methods that retain most of the nutrients, and attractive presentation, to encourage children to eat willingly and with more enjoyment. We hope the Nutritious menu for picky eaters and malnourished children above will give parents more suitable choices when preparing food for their little angels, especially children showing signs of picky eating.
