One of the challenges of being a parent is improving children’s food and drink choices. Although you can monitor your kid’s diet at home, it can be difficult to ensure they get the same nutrition in school.
In its latest study, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that about 32% of Filipino children aged 5.1 to 10 years old are underweight. Undernourished youth is not the only problem we are facing. The World Health Organization-sponsored National Nutrition Survey revealed that the prevalence of obesity among school children has risen from 5.8% in 2003 to 9.1% in 2013.
These facts, compounded by the massive junk food and soda advertising campaigns, heighten the need for parents to exert extra effort in ensuring their kids’ health and overall wellness. Aside from proper diet, it is essential that children get their daily dose of sunshine and exercise.
Raising kids in a condo community offers numerous advantages. All you need is within reach — grocery stores, retail shops, and kid-friendly facilities. DMCI Homes’ resort-type swimming pools, walkways and lounges are perfect for fun activities for parents and the kids. You may schedule Saturday picnics or afternoon strolls around the community.
In making sure your kids grow up as healthy and well-rounded individuals, be creative and have fun yourself. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box as kids love surprises. Here are 15 after-school refreshments to boost your kids’ energy.
Sunny Orange Lemonade
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Raise condo parenting to a new level! Drop by the nearby grocery store or fruit stand, and get some fresh oranges and lemons. Prepare a refreshing serving of vitamin C for your kid while he’s on his way home. Boil 1 and 1/4 cups of water mixed with a cup of sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Once the mixture cools down, transfer it to a pitcher. Add ¾ cup of lemon juice and another ¾ cup of orange juice. You may add 1 to 2 teaspoons of grated lemon and orange peels. Add ice cubes and enjoy!
Carrot and Orange Juice
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Using a juicer, press 2 pounds of trimmed and scrubbed carrots and 8 peeled oranges. Pour the juice into a large glass and add ice. This drink is not only great for your young kids but also for older members of the household. For your own vitamin boost, you may add a peeled ginger root and a handful of chopped parsley. Have your glass of carrot and orange juice beside the pool deck and enjoy your condo outdoor view.
Brazilian Lemonade
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The Internet offers an almost endless database of healthy snacks that can fuel your kid’s energy. Serve cookies or peanut butter jelly sandwich with a glass of Brazilian Lemonade. For this effortless drink, you’d need 2 limes, ½ cup of brown sugar, or to taste, 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, 3 cups of water and ice cubes. Wash the fruits thoroughly and slice them into eight wedges. In a blender, mix all the ingredients and pulse 5 times. Remove rinds using a fine mesh before serving over ice.
Banana Blast II
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There are novel ways to make your child eat healthy. One of them is preparing their food with a touch of creativity. To prepare Banana Blast II smoothie, combine 2 bananas and a cup of milk. Once the bananas are chopped, pour in ¼ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Blend until smooth. Add 8 ice cubes, then blend until smooth. This drink is perfect during hot days in school.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Who says healthy drinks can’t be fun? In less than 2 minutes, you can prepare a smoothie that your kids would surely love. Combine 1 banana, a cup of milk, a tablespoon of chocolate syrup, and a cup of crushed ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and serve. You may add chunks of bananas, topped with choco syrup. Preparing this drink is so easy you can guide your child in making his own smoothie.
Choco Banana Peanut Butter Shake
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Give your little one a delicious serving of potassium. Blend these ingredients until smooth: 2 sliced bananas, 2 cups of milk, 4 tablespoons of chocolate instant breakfast mix, 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter and 4 ice cubes. This goodness can also be served in morning before your kid leaves for school.
Watermelon Lemonade
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There’s no better way to ease a child’s tiring day in class than giving him a cool glass of watermelon lemonade. In a blender, place 4 cups of cubed watermelon. Puree the watermelon and strain using a sieve. Prepare the lemonade by boiling ½ cup of water and ½ cup of brown sugar in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Once the sugar dissolves, add 3 cups of cold water and ½ cup of fresh lemon juice. Put ½ cup of ice cubes in a glass, add in 2 to 3 tablespoons of the watermelon puree then pour in the lemonade.
Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade
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Make your child smile with a glass of Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade. In a blender, combine 8 cups of cubed seeded watermelon, a cup of fresh strawberries, ½ cup of fresh lemon juice, sweetener (brown sugar or honey) and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth. Before serving, you may strain the smoothie to remove extra watermelon seeds. Have this drink near the poolside and relish condo living.
Gloomy Day Smoothie
On a lonesome day when your kid is feeling down, serve a refreshing glass of Gloomy Day Smoothie. Combine chunks of 1 ripe mango, 1 chopped banana, a cup of fresh orange juice and a cup of vanilla yogurt. Blend until smooth. You may add ice cubes and small chunks of mango before serving. It’s better to prepare this drink with your child not only to help him shrug off the gloom but also to share kitchen safety tips.
Papaya and Mango Punch
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This is the season for lots of papaya and mango! In a blender, place in 1 cup of sliced ripe mango and 1 cup of diced papaya. Puree until the fruit mix is smooth. Add 1 cup of orange juice, ¼ cup of lemon or lime juice, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, ¼ cup of brown sugar or honey to taste and 4 cups of water. Blend and serve with crushed ice. You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Avocado Blast
Brighten up your child’s day with a serving of Avocado Blast. Place all ingredients in a blender: 5 peeled and pitted avocados, 4 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon of dry milk powder, 2 teaspoons of white sugar and ½ of water. Blend the mix until smooth. You may also add banana chunks before serving.
Green Slime Smoothie
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Make condo healthy living a possibility by experimenting on fresh fruits and vegetables within your reach. Try out nutrient-rich Green Slime Smoothie. Place 2 cups of spinach and 2 cups of strawberries in the fridge for at least an hour. In a blender, combine the frozen spinach and strawberries, 1 banana, 2 tablespoons of honey and ½ cup of ice. Blend the mix until smooth. Feel free to add milk or yogurt before serving.
Green Monster Smoothie
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The name of this drink alone can put a smile on your kid’s face. To prepare Green Monster Smoothie, combine the ingredients in a blender: 1 cup of milk, ½ cup of yogurt, sliced banana, 2 cups of fresh spinach, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 cup of ice cubes. Blend until smooth and serve immediately.
Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
Don’t be afraid to give your already hyperactive child chocolates for his or her afternoon snack. Put in a little twist by tossing in some fruits. To prepare Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie, put 2 bananas and a cup of strawberries in the fridge for at least an hour. Combine the frozen fruits, 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and ½ cup of milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. Running and prancing around will help your son burn sugar quickly. Be sure he has lots of space and access to outdoor amenities!
Coconut, Mango & Pineapple Smoothie
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Summer is almost here. As an early welcome, you and your child may indulge in a 3-fruit goodness. To prepare Coconut, Mango & Pineapple Smoothie, you’d need 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 cubed ripe mango, 1 banana, 1 cup of pineapple chunks and 1 cup of orange juice. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
Feel free to come up with your own refreshment recipe and share them with other parents in the DMCI Community. You can also ask for suggestions from your child on what he or she would like to try next. The more colorful fruit and vegetable choices, the better!