Fulfilling protein needs by providing nutritious food for children is certainly very important. However, having a child who has difficulty eating or tends to be a picky eater is often a challenge in itself. Fortunately, there are many choices of high protein foods for picky eaters that parents can consider. Let’s discuss further.
Various Choices of High Protein Foods for Picky Eaters
As we know, protein is an important nutrient that is very much needed by the body. Protein helps muscle growth, repairs tissue, and plays a role in hormone production. Protein is also effective in maintaining the strength of hair, skin, and nails. Sufficient protein intake makes a person grow healthier.
However, for picky eater children, adding high-protein foods to their daily intake can be difficult. This often makes parents feel frustrated. To make it easier to prepare a daily menu, here are some choices of high-protein foods that even picky eaters children like.
1. Eggs
Almost no child refuses dishes made from eggs. This ingredient has long been known as an extraordinary source of protein. Interestingly, parents can cook it in various ways. Such as scrambled eggs, omelets, or regular boiled eggs. The protein content per egg is equivalent to 6 grams.
2. Greek Yogurt
Next, there is Greek yogurt which has a soft texture and rich flavor. For a healthy intake, parents can buy plain or vanilla yogurt, and then add honey or fresh fruit as a sweetener. This yogurt can also be the base ingredient for smoothies or dipping sauces when children eat. Usually, the protein content per 100 grams of yogurt is equivalent to 10-15 grams.
3. Cheese
The next high-protein food for children who are picky eaters is cheese. To attract your little one’s attention, cut the cheese into bars, and squares, or melt it on bread. Parents can also serve it with biscuits and fruits as a healthy and balanced snack.
4. Peanut Butter
If your little one is not allergic to peanuts, then giving him peanut butter is the best choice. Peanut butter is a delicious and high source of protein. We can spread it on bread, biscuits, or apple slices. Its soft texture and mild taste make it suitable for children who have difficulty eating. With just 2 tablespoons of jam, children can get 7 grams of protein.
5. Edamame
Finally, there is edamame which is suitable as a protein-rich snack with a mild taste. We just steam it and sprinkle it with a little salt, edamame can be a delicious snack. Especially for children who like practical snacks.
There’s nothing wrong with trying various ways to cook edamame. For example, boiling it with various levels of crispiness or even softness. This is to find the level of doneness that they like the most.
Tips For Picky Eater
On the Mama Natural YouTube channel, the tip is to reduce snacking, because snacking is the biggest sabotage of a good diet, especially for children. Children only need three meals and one to two snacks with a beautiful appearance so that they can increase their appetite. In addition, set a macro balance for good blood sugar regulation. Next, you can have one food on the plate that your child likes, and vary the food as a spice of life that is not boring.
Finding high protein foods for picky eaters is not difficult. With a variety of easy-to-prepare options, parents can meet their protein needs without sacrificing taste. Introduce new protein sources in small amounts to get them used to it. Don’t forget to serve food in an attractive form so that children eat more. /Amel
