A fun-filled birthday bash with all the trimmings doesn't need to come with a sugar high (and inevitable low). Try these tasty and healthy party foods courtesy of Singapore-based nutritionist, Karin G. Reiter
There are few things more fun for kids than a birthday party – but we’ve all been witness to the sugar high that comes with a birthday bash… and the inevitable crash soon afterwards. Imagine if your kids went to a party and didn’t come home ‘sugar drugged’, high on artificial flavours, additives, colours, monosodium glutamate and other scary ingredients? Imagine they came home happy, balanced, nourished and ready to have a shower and go to bed? Sounds too good to be true? It’s totally possible when you’ve got good, healthy party food…
Juices
Instead of sodas and factory-produced fruit juices, why not blend or juice a couple of watermelons? They taste just as good and are much kinder to your kids sugar levels and the environment (since you are not buying all that plastic). Or serve fruit-flavoured water – simply cut up colourful fruits and add to water. Serve with bright paper straws to create a melody of colours. And if you’re really feeling keen, try these smoothie recipes for a different kind of sweet treat.
Fruit
Fruit can be served in a way that it looks just as cool as a towering stand of cupcakes (honest!) – try rainbow fruit skewers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, fruit pops or a fun fruit platter shaped creatively (check out our fruit rainbow, pictured top). You can even go as far as making a fruit ‘cake’, including layers of watermelon and decorated with berries and brightly coloured fruit skewers.
Sweet potato and potato hot wedges with guacamole
This combination is always a hit and is easy to whip up yourself – just slice sweet potatoes into wedges, toss with some olive oil and sea salt and bake in the oven till crispy. Serve with homemade guacamole.
Homemade oatmeal cookies
Kids love homemade cookies – add either raisins or choc chips. Or make the cookie batter, spread it out on a baking tray and toast in the oven to create a homemade granola, which you can serve in small cups with fresh yogurt and some berries. For more healthy-but-delish cookie ideas, hop into our cookie making guide.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a fabulous (and cheap) substitute for chips. Experiment with sweet flavours such as honey and cinnamon or salty combos like coconut oil and rock salt. Or combine both and place in individual paper bags as a DIY party favour.
Kid-friendly vegetables
Think cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, baby steamed broccoli trees and carrot, celery or cucumber sticks – all of which can be served with a homemade hummus or tzatziki dip (yogurt, cucumber, garlic, salt and pepper). Create small individual dipping cups with the hummus or tzatziki at the bottom and the vegetable sticks placed inside.
For more recipes and exciting party food ideas that are healthy, delicious and nourishing, check out Karin’s e-book, which she co-authored with chef and food stylist Clara Luboff: The Rosy Cheeked Kids Lunch Boxes and Party Food E-Cookbook.
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