By- Dr. Khushboo Thakker Garodia a Homeopath, Trichologist, an Integrative Health Expert and the Founder of Meraki WellBeing.

Khushboo Nutrition Counselor, a Specialist in Sports Nutrition, a Clinical Hypnotherapist, and a Trichologist. Combining all aspects of her education, helped her learn and see how one’s inner thoughts and emotions shape their external reality.

So, what snack do I give my toddler which is healthy and tasty, has become every parents concern! Toddlers undergo rapid growth and hence want to snack often and it is a challenging task to make a snack that is healthy and tasty.

What your kids choose to snack on is important, and it can make or break a routine for a healthy living. A healthy snack will fuel a child’s mind and body, and fill in important nutrient gaps such as calcium and fibre. Snacks devoid of nutrition and loaded with sugars can lead to fatigue, cravings, weight gain and tooth decay.
As a parent and Integrative Health Expert, Dr. Khushboo knows that snacking has become a predictable daily ritual. She tries her best to give her toddlers as many vegetables as she can. She constantly searches for new ways to satisfy her kids’ appetites with nutrient-rich nibbles because she knows what it is to deal with picky and active ones.

Below is a list compiled by Dr. Khushboo which consists of 3 recipes that are easy to make and are super healthy.

Recipe 1 – Mixed Veggie Cheese Patties

This one is a magical recipe. You can add in all the veggies, even the ones that your babies don’t like and it will be over just like magic!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Mixed Vegetables – soft cooked – Drained and roughly chopped (Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, Cauliflower, Spinach, Beans- add whatever you like)
• ¼ cup shredded cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• ¼ tsp Oil
• Garlic (if needed)
• Oregano (if needed)
• Small piece of boiled potato – helps to bind the veggies well

Method:

1. In a small pan, heat the oil. Once the oil is hot add garlic (optional)
2. Add all the vegetables and gently sauté them
3. Add salt, pepper and oregano
4. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes
5. Mix well and mash it up
6. Take a small portion, roll it into a ball and then flatten it.
7. In the center add little cheese and close the ends to make a ball and then gently flatten it
8. Repeat with remaining mixture
9. Then just roast this slowly on a pan until the surface is slightly crisp

Serve with a Hung curd Dip or Chutney

Recipe 2 – Super Delicious Power Balls

These are too quick and can be made in batches and you can refrigerate them
These power balls are filling and sweet enough to satisfy the most intense 3pm chocolate craving.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts
• ½ cup cashews
• ½ cup pistachios
• 2 ½ cups dates (make sure to remove the pits)
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup almonds

Method:

1. Place all the ingredients in food processor and blend until the nuts are finely ground and you have sticky crumb mixture.
2. Roll this mixture into bite sized balls and refrigerate them

Recipe 3 – Vegetable Pancakes

These Crispy veggie pancakes cook up fast and provide a blend of healthy veggies for your little ones.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1 cup grated carrot
• ¼ cup boiled and drained peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 small boiled potato
• 1/8 cup yogurt, plain
• Salt and Pepper
• Garlic (if needed)
• Oregano (if needed)
• 1/4 cup flour – can be whole wheat or quinoa or millet based on your liking
• 1/2 cup paneer – mashed
• 1 tablespoon oil

Method:

1. In a bowl combine all the ingredients except the oil
2. Mix it well
3. Heat oil in a pan. Form balls of dough and press into a patty
4. Add to pan and cook on both sides (pressing to flat with the back of your spatula so it gets hot and cooked throughout the pancake).