Getting a child to eat a healthy and nutritious diet is a key of concern of all parents. Children these days are hung up on junk food. Though, it’s important to lay stress on a healthy home cooked diet, there may be no harm in serving fast foods once in a while. Moreover, with a little creativity – even pizzas and hamburgers can fit into a balanced diet. Here are easy tips:

Focus on the Food pyramid:
A healthy diet entails eating foods from each food group.
Cereal Group: Includes bread, cereal, rice, buns, pizza crust, noodles and biscuits.
Vegetable Group: Includes tomato, lettuce, baked potato, corns, and grated carrots.
Pulses and Legumes Group: Includes all pulses, beans and nuts.
Fruit Group: Includes all fruits like apples, oranges, and pineapples.
Milk, Yoghurt and Cheese Group: Includes milkshakes, yoghurt, cheeses, butter and creamy spreads.

Trim the fat:
Instead of frying, bake or grill the meal. However, make sure that you don’t ignore fat completely – it is an important part of the child’s meal.

Watch the toppings:
Avoid the cheese, mayonnaise and special sauces, and try and replace them with healthier options. Mint sauce and tomato sauce are excellent examples.

Boost calcium:
Drink milk or milkshakes, instead of canned juices or colas. Top them up with flavors, if you like.

Reduce salt intake:
Always remain low on salt.

Natural sugars:
Cook fruit based desserts, instead of sweet dishes that are piled with refined sugars. Children should actually have at least five servings of fruits in a day, and fruit desserts are usually a good way to introduce fruits to the child’s’ diet.

Pump up vegetables and fibers:
Try to use whole-grain buns or breads when possible.
Add lettuce, onions and tomatoes to onions and burgers.
Top up pizzas and noodles with added vegetables, mushrooms and spring onions.