
It’s 8pm, the kids are fed and changed and ready to be tucked into bed. It’s now my downtime to plan for the new day, which starts with making a scrumptious tiffin for my children — a task that even Steve Jobs cannot simplify by inventing an app! “Mom, pack something tasty,” my older one blurts out before going to bed. “And not something that looks healthy,” promptly my eight-year-old piggybacks on his brother’s request.
So, let’s see what we got here —tasty, healthy, wholesome, home-made, nothing runny etc etc…. I rummage the fridge hoping it will throw up brilliant concoctions that will bring 100-watt smiles on their faces. A bowl of sauteed potatoes sits there staring at me, giving a strong message — USE me. I take the box of sprouted moong and moth (a kind of beans) sitting right next to it and shut the door. I leave it in a pressure cooker to boil with some salt.
Sprouts are an excellent form of protein for children and having it at break time will give them that extra energy to play outdoors, will boost their immune system to fight germs and also support growth.
Next, I trot to the dry storage and search for the packet of brown rice to add starch and fibre to the mini meal. Brown rice also has a low GI, which means that our digestive system takes its own sweet time to break down the glucose and fibre from the brown rice, helping our tummy feel full for a longer time. I leave it to soak overnight and drain the sprouts and leave it to cool. Smiling at my tidings, I look forward to the surprise I plan to prepare the next morning.
As a child, I remember, tiffin-time was like opening a mystery box — sometimes it was a delightful treat and many times a messy mash of food spilling from the sides. Packaging plays a critical role while putting together an on-the-go meal.
Here are some tips when putting together the wonder box.
• Fit in the box: Choosing the right box is supremely important. A stainless box is recommended but if your child finds it too heavy, opt for a BPA-free plastic box that clips tightly from all sides.
• Small is helpful: Keep mini steel boxes handy to fill with accompaniments. Finger-sized cutlery keeps germs away from children’s mouths.
• Stay in line: Line the inside of the box with a paper napkin or butter paper to absorb the juices, sometimes released from packed foods. This prevents the grub from spilling from the sides.
• Looks can be deceptive: Anything packaged, be it potato wafers or the healthier version of dry snacks such as soy sticks, soy nuggets and quinoa chips, has high sodium levels and preservatives that are harmful for kids. Snack on assorted nuts and seeds, dry roasted peanuts or fox nuts (makhana). Whole chana and puffed rice are excellent substitutes.
Manjri Agarwal is a food writer and health coach. Reach her on bigplatesmallplate@gmail.com