As a parent I think one of the hardest parts is knowing that you are responsible for the health of your child. Up until a certain age you pretty much have complete control over what they eat and drink – apart from when they visit their grandparents of course!
I know I will often question myself over whether they have had a balanced day of meals. I suppose some would consider me to be slightly strict with regards to giving too many sugary treats but what has somehow ( luckily ) become ingrained in both girls is that fruit and even certain vegetables ( they love peppers and olives ) are treats. Our local greengrocer in the high street close to where we live is their favourite shop and they think they are so lucky when they get to choose their own special fruits, typically grapes for Izzy and some form of berries for Chloe. I don’t expect this to last, teenage years will have their own temptations with fizzy pop, haribos under the desk at school and fast food on days out with their friends and that’s fine – its life and its about balance. All I can do is continue to look after their health at home for the most part and hope they grow to be strong, healthy girls.
That’s not to say we don’t have special treats at home, the occasional McDonalds and sweets on our cinema days out, I am not a mean mum I promise. We mostly bake cakes and biscuits to enjoy together and I like that it’s also about the experience and the time together in the kitchen with the end result of goodies and perhaps a film under a blanket.
Izzy is at an age where she seems to have a constant hunger, she is tall for her age and has seemingly limitless energy – she can make me tired just watching her. After school is the HANGRY time or so it seems and the questioning for food begins in earnest. We were asked by Yeo Valley to have a think about what healthy treats we could incorporate into our day and also try out their organic yoghurts made just for children ( HA ..just for children..I’ve had at least two ). Find out more about what Yeo Valley make for children here.
So our slightly cooler Autumnal afternoons have been spent enjoying carpet picnics ( picnics don’t have to end with the summer – just move them indoors ) and have included a variety of after school snacks:
Sticks of fruit with a yoghurt dip
Frozen yoghurt drops – such an easy and tasty treat.
Yoghurt topped with granola – Izzy enjoys this and I love the apricot flavour topped with tropical granola for breakfast too.
The peach and apricot flavours also work really well as an addition to a mild curry for children, it adds the slightly sweeter, creamier flavour that they seem to enjoy whilst also introducing them to new spices and textures.
Yoghurts are such a convenient product to keep at home, filling and healthy, a good source of calcium for your growing child. You can always feel confident in the knowledge that Yeo Valley products do not contain a long list of ingredients you won’t recognise and it’s all organic too.
What healthy treats do your children enjoy?
- This post in in collaboration with Yeo Valley and I have been compensated for it.
janie says
Love the frozen yogurt drops idea! I would have LOVED these as a kid!
Janie x