Got 20 minutes max? That’s all you need for these kid-approved recipes with the ultimate all-in-one nutrition boost

Research by the World Health Organization has found that much of a child’s health and well-being later on in life depends on what happens during the early childhood development phase. The formative years between the ages of 0 and 8 have a profound impact on a child’s holistic development. Apart from factors such as a safe home environment, caring parental relationships, and socialisation – nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy, happy child – and the key to good nutrition is a balanced diet.

There’s no question about the fact that being a good parent in a hyperconnected, tech-driven, fast-paced world is quite a feat. Daily, parents need to contend with the demands of their careers, their own personal needs, as well as their familial responsibilities. For most parents, time is a rare commodity, so preparing wholesome, healthy meals and snacks for the household is sometimes placed on the back burner.

The challenge, however, is that a child’s first few years provide a window into the rest of their lives and during this time, diet is a critical factor. There are four key developmental areas that are influenced by what a child eats.

The first is brain development – nutritious, vitamin-rich food supports healthy cognitive function and aspects such as memory and learning abilities. The second is immunity – the best way to prevent disease is for children to eat foods that contain the vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the body’s defenses and reduce susceptibility to infections. Thirdly, nutrition impacts gastrointestinal health, and maintaining digestive balance is crucial to the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. The fourth factor is growth and development – eating healthy meals and snacks has a direct impact on the child’s physical and cognitive growth and emotional development.

Studies have shown that the best thing parents can do when a lack of time calls for a quick fix is to opt for products that can provide their child with nutritional support while ticking all four of these boxes.

It’s recommended to always keep an eye out for Omega 3 – a good fat that acts as the fuel to get your brain’s neurons firing. Micronutrients such as iron and selenium and Vitamins A, C, and E may support the body’s immune system, while HMO and oligofructose are prebiotics that may support the growth of good bacteria for a happy gut. Two other very important ingredients to consider are calcium and vitamin D, which are the body’s best workhorses when it comes to strong bones and teeth.

So, if you’re looking for all these ingredients in a one-stop solution, Alula Gold Kid Ready-To-Drink and the Alula Gold Kid powder ticks all these boxes.

Alula Gold Kid Ready-To-Drink is an easy and convenient lunchbox companion, and the Alula Gold Kid powder can be added to any meal to complement its nutritional value, without too much fuss.

Got 20 minutes? Well, it’s honestly what most parents have at the end of their workday. No worries! Here are two quick lunch and dinner recipes that kids – and their bodies – will love:

Lunch: Summer Chicken Veggie Wrap

Preparation time: 20 min

Ingredients:

• Whole-grain tortilla wraps
• Chopped green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, tomatoes and lettuce
• Sliced, grilled chicken breast (use herbs & spices as preferred during cooking)
• Home-made Tzatziki herb yoghurt sauce (recipe below) or other sauce of preference
• 2 Level scoops/tablespoons Alula Gold Kid powder mixed into the home-made tzatziki herb yoghurt sauce or other sauce of preferences

Instructions:

1. Prepare home-made Tzatziki according to instructions below & mix in Alula Gold Kid powder
2. Grill chicken using herbs & spices according to taste
3. Chop all vegetables
4. Lay out tortilla wrap
5. Heat tortilla wrap according to manufacturers’ instructions
6. Spread a layer of Tzatziki/other sauce on the tortilla
7. Add chopped vegetables & chicken
8. Roll op the tortilla tightly & enjoy

Dinner: Creamy Tomato and Vegetable pasta

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups cooked pasta
• 1 Cup diced tomatoes
• 1.5 Cups steamed mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, broccoli)
• 1 Serving Alula Gold Kid (230 ml – prepared according to instructions on tin)
• Grated cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta
2. While pasta is cooking, chop tomatoes & other vegetables
3. Steam vegetables
4. In a separate bowl, prepare Alula Gold Kid according to instructions on the tin
5. Combine cooked pasta, diced tomatoes and steamed vegetables in a pan
6. Pour the Alula Gold Kid milk mixture over the pasta & vegetables
7. Heat gently on low heat, stirring until sauce thickens, or thicken sauce further with cornstarch (dissolve in
8. water before adding). Avoid bringing the mixture to a boil.

8. Season with salt & pepper according to taste
9. Add grated cheese & serve