Junk food with a difference!

Spent yesterday, a pleasant Sunday morning, at the workshop organized by the Times of India on ‘Healthy cooking for Kids’. My mind was clear – that I was going to demonstrate some foods that kids will enjoy and mothers will have no qualms in making them or serving them, because even though they ‘looked’ like kids’ favourite junk food, my version had added ingredients that made the dishes healthy food! So, the goal was to create awareness that it is possible to keep both kids and parents happy about food, the taste, and the health benefits. I say, if kids want junk food, give it to them, but only after tweaking the recipes adding some healthy elements.

First of all, it was heartening to see some children sitting right ahead near the stage! The seats were full with adults, but the children who came to see the show got the best view! Kids are fond of food and eating, and not to forget these days they are doing it the smart way! They are quite aware of what and how much they should be eating.

At home also, amongst both my kids, while the elder one – Rachita is a foodie, the younger one – Kriti always has a question mark on her face as to why should we eat and being an athlete, she likes to keep a tight rein on the consumption of fatty food at home. She is the one who is constantly keeping tabs on my weight and asks me to slim down the moment she feels I need to!

A good thing, for this generation needs to be alert about diet and fitness like none other.

My time, albeit one short hour, went fast in showing dishes like NRG Shake, Healthy Pizza, Sprout Bhelpuri, etc. These recipes are visible on http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com. I could interact with the attendees and answered their queries. Soon Madhuri Dixit joined us and she regaled the audience with her tips on how she handles her boys, who are finicky eaters, and how she is focused on bringing nutritious food onto her table.

A very pleasant morning, like I said, and very well spent! Let’s just check out some more recipes which were a hit with the kids…

Baked Potato Wedges

Sprout ‘N’ Roll

Choco Cups

Till I write again

Sanjeev Kapoor

Breakfast: for stronger mind and body

I have always thought of breakfast as an important meal and have written numerous columns advocating the cause of starting your day with a power packed meal because eating breakfast contributes to weight control. Our supply ofbreakfast recipes has been consistently appreciated.

Breakfast skippers may eat more food than usual at the next meal and may also tend to eat foods higher in fat and calories. Skipping breakfast may also result in late morning hunger and food cravings and leave you susceptible to munching on higher fat, low nutrient choices such as biscuits or cups of tea or coffee at mid morning and then less healthy food choices at lunch. If you can make menus using breakfast recipes, you will find it easier to get along. Those who eat breakfast are more likely to avoid energy lows and extremes in hunger (which are partly responsible for cravings for sugary foods). Eating breakfast also boosts your metabolism so you burn calories more efficiently throughout the day. If you go for very long periods of time without food and then have a large meal, you encourage your body to store many of the calories in your fat cells, instead of in muscle cells.

If you are not hungry in the morning, try eating a little less the night before. Gradually, after eating breakfast for a while, you may be able to ‘train’ yourself to feel morning hunger (turning the hunger mechanism from the brain to the stomach!).

Tips for breakfast haters

If you just do not like to eat breakfast, or believe you do not feel good when you eat breakfast, you can break breakfast up into two smaller meals, but do not skip breakfast altogether. Eat a hard boiled egg at home, and an hour or two later, take a break from work and snack on an apple and a handful of healthy nuts like walnuts.

For exciting breakfast recipes that are handy to pack and carry are Cheese and Pineapple Sandwich, or roll up a few Dal Chawal Parantha. Better still drink up a fruity strawberry soya and orange Shake at home!

Cooking healthy food for kids

FoodFood, my 24 X 7, TV channel, turned one yesterday, January 23! It has been a year of growing with leaps and bounds, with many new experiences. As we enter the second year, there is a renewed energy running through the entire organization. We hope to establish ourselves better, firmer, cooking great food with introduction of new programmes.

Come Sunday January 29, a treat awaits! I have a workshop on cooking healthy food for kids at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach starting at 11.30 am. This is being organized by The Times of India as part of their ongoing Mumbai for Kids campaign. So what’s cooking there? You can see in person. Simply register using an SMS.

SMS TOIKIDSNAME to 58888.

The executives will call you back with a confirmation. It is on first-come-first-served basis. I believe the seats are limited, so why wait!

As January 26 will be a holiday, it will give us a chance to cook up some tricoloured foods that will delight the whole family. Giving you some recipe suggestions here.

Tiranga Paneer Tikka

Tricoloured Sandwiches

Shaam Savera

Till I write again

Sanjeev Kapoor.