Here's one way the kids can create a fun and nutritious meal, with the added bonus of encouraging self-sufficiency skills.

What to create with:

• The all important unsweetened peanut butter, a natural source of protein. For kids with specific or general nut allergies, indulge in alternative nut spreads, hummus or smashed avocado. On occasion, relish sweet raw honey and organic fruit jams.

• Carbohydrates to enjoy peanut butter and other spreads with. Include whole grain breads or crackers, fruits such as apples or bananas and vegetables like carrot or celery.

• Plates and butter knives for easy, kid friendly spreading.

• A picnic blanket to spread on the floor outside, or inside on a rainy day.

• Favourite cuddlies to join the picnic!

Let’s create…
Kids enjoy being in charge sometimes. Regularly giving them age-appropriate opportunities to decide what they eat and how they eat it empowers them to feel self-sufficient.

Encourage them to set up the picnic, fetch their special cuddlies, bring the utensils and prepare the meal with you. Whether they spread the peanut butter onto their choice of carbs, dip their carbs into the peanut butter or mix it all up, they decide and create!

Connect and inspire wellness!
In addition to the belly full of nutritious food, fostering both independence and collaborative skills in kids can often translate to better co-operation later when it is time for parents to take the lead.

Another side incentive with the kids getting creative in a laid-back setting in the morning can mean a more relaxed and well day for everyone.

It certainly has become a fun meal ritual for us and not only for breakfasts! I’m excited to hear how you go creating your Peanut Butter Picnics. What other protein or good fat spreads do you enjoy with your carbs?

Connect with me to work together and empower you and your family to evolve into your most well selves.

-Nagma | Nutritional Wellness, Ayurveda & Health Coach for Women + Families | HCANZA Registered Professional | Children's Author | Wellness & Parenting Writer | Mum of 3

Disclaimer: All content is general in nature and intended to inform only. It should not replace advice from your consulting healthcare practitioner.

​When it comes to successfully spooning these precious morsels into my kids, I often use whatever method it takes to accomplish this mission! Why? I worry that a poor appetite might cause a nutritional deficiency or not enough energy for their general well-being.

Despite knowing that it is normal for kids to have small servings of the three macronutrients at mealtimes, I still felt concerned. So on days when the kids hadn't eaten much, I admit to:

• Distracting them with engaging books so they sat still and ate their vegies.

• Sneaking spoonfuls of lentils into their mouths while they were absorbed in play.

• Coercing them to take another bite by encouraging phrases like, 'I know you can eat just a little more broccoli’.

The problem with all of the above methods is that they are punitive ways of eating and in the long term, studies have shown that this can result in kids having negative associations and unhealthy relationships with food. It is important to remember that experts advise that so long as nourishing meals and snacks are served, our kids' brains will make sure that they eat enough for normal energy and growth.

Nevertheless, a mama still worries! Thankfully, ample opportunities to experiment at mealtimes with my three kids has led to the following creative ideas:

• Snack-time play with diggers and trucks to shovel down some nuts.​

• Settling their cuddlies down beside them, with their toy tea-party utensils, to join in the 'meal-party'.

• Selecting their favourite tunes to listen to while eating and singing along (between mouthfuls)!

• Opening up the picnic blanket for a Peanut Butter Picnic as a fun meal alternative.

Creatively encouraging kids to eat sometimes requires additional involvement from parents, plus it can get messy! Yet, the pain is worth the gain; a belly full of nutritious food (maybe even laughter) eaten with presence and participation at mealtimes.

Do you have some ideas to encourage your kids to eat? Connect with me to work together and empower you and your family to evolve into your most well selves.

-Nagma | Nutritional Wellness, Ayurveda & Health Coach for Women + Families | HCANZA Registered Professional | Children's Author | Wellness & Parenting Writer | Mum of 3

Disclaimer: All content is general in nature and intended to inform only. It should not replace advice from your consulting healthcare practitioner.