Rice is a source of energy and carbohydrates for everyone, including children. However, not a few children who do not like rice, you know. This is enough to make mothers dizzy. Then, how to deal with children who do not like rice?
In Indonesia, rice is a staple food that is usually consumed every day. The notion of "you haven't really eaten if you haven't eaten rice" has been etched in the minds of many Indonesians. As a result, many parents are worried when their children don't like to eat rice.
Tips for Overcoming Children Don't Like Rice
Rice contains carbohydrates and fiber. So, in addition to being a source of energy, rice is also beneficial for digestive health. In addition, rice also contains various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins B1 and B6, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and manganese, which are good for body health.
Although it has important nutrients that children need, not all children are happy when they have to eat rice. However, this doesn't mean your little one really doesn't like rice. you know, it could be because he was bored.
nowTherefore, some of the following tips you can try to deal with children who don't like rice:
Variations in processing rice
When your little one is served rice and then refuses, don't be in a hurry to assume that he doesn't like rice, right, Bun. It could be that the Little One is just bored with the rice that Mother gave.
If this is the case, you have to be more varied when processing rice, for example making rice into uduk rice or yellow rice. You can also use other natural food coloring to color the rice, such as beetroot juice for red and egg yolk for yellow.
In addition, Mother can form rice into balls or various cute shapes, so that it arouses the desire of the Little One to eat it.
Add flavor
The original taste of rice tends to be bland. To increase your little one's appetite for rice, you can also you know, adding flavor to the rice, for example by replacing the water for cooking rice with broth or coconut milk.
In addition, if you want to add a fragrant aroma to the rice, you can add a little lime juice or add pandan leaves and garlic when cooking the rice.
Create a pleasant dining atmosphere
It is important to create a pleasant dining atmosphere. Don't make mealtime a moment of contention between mother and baby, OK?
Before giving your little one rice, pay attention to whether he is really hungry or not. If you're not hungry, either rice or whatever menu your mother cooks, she doesn't necessarily want to touch it.
If your little one is hungry, try to eat with your child, because who knows eating together can encourage your little one to eat more voraciously.
Source of Carbohydrates Apart from Rice
If you've applied the tips above, but your little one still doesn't want to eat rice, there's no need to worry too much about it, Bun. Children do not like rice is not a problem to be exaggerated, you know.
To keep your little one getting energy, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, you can give him some of these foods:
1. Potato
Just like rice, potatoes are also rich in carbohydrates. Not only that, a plant that has a Latin name Solanum tuberosum It also stores other nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folic acid. To process it, you can make potatoes into cakes, fries, add to vegetable soup, or become baked potatoes.
2. Corn
Corn is a vegetable that is rich in carbohydrates and can be used as a substitute for rice. Apart from being a source of energy and carbohydrates, corn can also be a source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and sodium.
The sweet taste of corn can also arouse children's appetite to eat. Mother can process corn into bakwan corn, corn soup, corn milk cheese, and pudding.
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a type of whole grain that contains many important nutrients, ranging from carbohydrates, fiber, protein, healthy fats, to various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, calcium, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, potassium. , iron, and manganese.
If the child does not like rice, oatmeal can be an excellent choice to replace the source of energy and carbohydrates. Oatmeal can be processed into porridge with various toppings, for example fresh fruit, honey, nuts, or fresh vegetables, meat, and eggs.
4. Sweet potato and cassava
Tubers such as sweet potatoes and cassava have long been consumed as a substitute for rice. Both sweet potato and cassava, both contain carbohydrates, fiber, and protein, so they can be a good substitute for rice. You can serve sweet potatoes and cassava to your baby by boiling, steaming, or baking them.
Children have difficulty eating and do not like rice can indeed make parents dizzy. However, don't let this problem make you let your little one eat the food he wants but is not nutritious, such as donuts or chips, with the aim of "as long as the child eats".
Mothers need to rack their brains to find ways to keep their little one's nutritional needs met, even though he doesn't want to eat rice. Remember, don't force your child to eat, because this can actually traumatize him and make him not want to eat even more.
Be patient with it. Reasonable, how come, if the child likes picky food. This is because he wants to explore his sense of taste to taste various flavors in food.
If your child not only doesn't like rice but also always refuses other foods, especially if his weight doesn't increase or even decreases, then Mother takes action. Immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
