Every mother wants the best for her children. This holds especially true when it comes to food and nutrition. Getting the little ones in your life to eat healthy food however can be tricky. Thankfully, there are now numerous healthy food options that are not only nutritious but also delicious. 

Many healthy food trends have emerged in Indonesia in recent years from the rise of vegetarian foods to the popularity of plant-based foods. With them, more healthy food vendors have sprouted to offer a variety of healthy options. But not all of us can be vegetarians, especially our growing little ones. 

The good news for mothers out there is that it is possible to go healthy with the food products that your children already love. You just need to know what to look for. 

First, a healthy diet simply means a balanced diet. Make sure that your children have their nutrition intake fulfilled such as carbohydrate, protein, vitamin, and mineral. These can come from different sources such as fish, eggs, poultry, vegetables, fruits, or peanuts. 

A simple trick is to make sure to use fresh produce. Many often overlook that fresh produce tends to taste better. So using fresh ingredients can be a way to make sure that the natural products you serve taste good. Another thing to note is that the less processed the food, the better. So go for grilled chicken instead of chicken nuggets; choose fresh meat over store-bought sausages. 

Second, children will always love ice cream, cake, or sweet drinks, and a little bit of those is fine. The key is to find options with less synthetic ingredients. For sweet drinks, herbal drinks are making a big comeback after being left behind for being dubbed dull and traditional. More exciting options are now available with herbal extracts made out of fruit and plants. They are concocted into refreshing fruity drinks with no artificial additives.

For the sweet tooth, desserts have also been getting the healthy treatment. Many bakeries now offer freshly made breads and healthy cakes with less sugar. Though refusing to let your child eat cake can be a daunting task, you can choose one that uses natural ingredients. Avoid synthetic coloring, for example. Find ones that use the healthier natural coloring. You can spot these by observing the coloration of the cake—anything too bright is a red flag.

At the end of the day, homemade food is always the best option. By knowing exactly where the ingredients come from, we can make sure to only use the freshest, most natural, and healthy ingredients. But in this era, that’s not always possible. And once in a while, it’s good to let your kids indulge a little. There are always small ways to make these delicious delicacies a bit healthier.