How to Introduce Traditional South Indian Flavours to Kids

Introducing kids to South Indian food requires patience, consistency and a positive approach. Begin with small serving sizes of mild flavours so your kids can explore their limits gradually. Then, set them meal schedules so they can expect a routine. You can also involve the kids in the meal preparation process to invoke their interest. Lastly, set a good example by following the same eating habits so your kids can look up to a good role model.

Introduction

Kids these days are already hooked on junk food and unhealthy dietary options. It’s extremely difficult to pull them away from these, but introducing them to traditional food options is even more so. If you’ve been trying to find ways to urge your children to try kids’ South Indian food, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we discuss the different means by which you can help your kids expand their food options and develop healthy eating habits. Continue reading to learn more!

Introducing New Kids South Indian Food: Dos and Don’ts

As aforementioned, introducing new food items to kids can be difficult, especially because of the current lifestyle and popular eating choices. Thus, when trying to figure out kids’ South Indian food, here are some aspects you can keep in mind:

1. Start Slow

The best (and potentially, the most common) advice for introducing kids to new foods is to start slow. Begin by serving them small portions of whatever they like the best. Then, you can gradually increase the serving size. Also, if your kids are accustomed to eating mild foods, don’t thrust strong South Indian flavours on them out of the blue. Make that a gradual process as well, by slowly increasing their spice tolerance or letting them explore new flavours.

2. Keep In Mind That Picky Eating Is Normal

Several pieces of research conducted over the past few years prove that picky eating is actually a sign of positive development. When your kids learn to build preferences and choose what kind of food they prefer, they’re indulging in active cognitive development. And while teaching your kids how to eat all types of food is essential, it’s equally important to remember that picky eating while growing up is perfectly normal.

3. Ensure Your Kids Are Hungry

If they’re not hungry and you’re still forcing them to eat, kids will tend to associate that food with negative emotions. Hence, whenever you’re trying to serve them traditional South Indian food and give them a taste of the flavours, ensure that they’re hungry and actually open to eating.

4. Form Meal Routines

As a common misconception, most parents believe that letting kids “set their own schedule” is empowering and supports growth. But on the contrary, children need routines. A set routine helps them cope with their tasks better and form a safe space. Similar logic goes for new food as well. Decide when you want them to try out South Indian food. For instance, if you choose breakfast, then keep that a standard meal until they get into a habit of it.

5. Discuss Openly

The worst thing you could do as a parent is to scold or force your children to try something they don’t like. Ultimately, they will begin looking at South Indian food with a negative connotation. What’s essential is to have open and frank conversations with them about food. You need to be firm but not too strict. At the end of the day, the goal is to make sure kids enjoy eating South Indian food, not just tolerate it.

6. Get Them Involved

Most of the time, if kids are involved in the food preparation, they enjoy eating it more. Because developing brains associate effort with tangible outcomes, helping you cook will make them look forward to also eating what you make together. Also, if they understand how South Indian spices and flavours work, they will want to explore more by trying them out.

7. Set An Example

Kids learn by observation. If you’re pestering them to eat healthy kids’ South Indian food but continue to indulge in unhealthy eating habits, that’s what your kids are going to pick up. Therefore, to ensure they choose nutritious options, you must begin by being a good role model yourself.

#8 Don’t: Try To Manage Hunger

One of the most normal things about growing up, playing and physically exerting oneself is how food cycles work. If your kid feels hungry, let them. Don’t try to manage it forcefully by thinking, “Oh, let me give them a small snack now, and then they can have dinner.” This will hamper their meal routines and disrupt their hunger. What’s best is to create a smart schedule and stick to it.

9. Don’t: Use Food As Rewards

Parents sometimes use food or snacks as rewards for good behaviour, chore completion, or to calm down high emotions. However, this isn’t creating a healthy mindset towards food at all. In fact, kids might grow up to lean on food for emotional support. The idea is to develop an independent relationship with food that keeps them happy and running.

10. Don’t: Guilt Them

“There are starving kids – you must finish your plate!” “If you don’t finish your food, you’re not a good boy.” “I’ve been cooking for so long, and you repay me by throwing away food?”

How many times have we heard parents use these lines in an effort to get their kids to clean their plates? But guilting them never works. They’re only going to look at eating as a chore they need to get done with, rather than an active process. So, stop guilting the kids and help them establish good meal practices.

#11 Don’t: Give Up!

Traditional South Indian food can be challenging to incorporate into kids’ meals, especially if they’re already in the habit of eating milder or other cuisines. But, at the end of the day, it’s important to keep trying as a parent. Try to tackle the issue tactfully and make it a fun process. Gradually, your kids will start liking and craving South Indian food, because who doesn’t?

Darling Masala: Your Key To Good Flavour

Introducing new kids’ South Indian food is tough, but it’s tougher if the food is not even tasty! Fortunately, that’s a problem already solved by Darling Masala. We offer some of the best and tastiest spice powders, jams and pickles whose ingredients are hand-picked from the farms and processed carefully. Each of our products is an extraordinary addition to any meal preparation that instantly transforms boring food into a delicious treat. And you get the homemade taste that’s lacking in most preservative products. Check out all our products on the website today!

Read more: Learn about simple summer recipes here: Light Summer Food Recipes That Still Taste Like Home

Final Thoughts: Keep Calm and Keep Trying

Introducing new kids’ South Indian food is certainly challenging, but it’s crucial to stay calm and keep trying in new ways. Let them explore different flavours and dishes gradually without rushing or forcing them. If you also urge them to help you in the cooking process, they’ll be more excited to try out what they cook. On the other hand, don’t try to guilt them into finishing their food or use it as a reward system. The best way to handle new food is by setting a good example, letting your kids pick their pace, and giving them a good structure.

FAQs

Q1. How to introduce spices to kids?

In order to introduce spices to kids, begin with small amounts of mild flavours and gradually increase the intensity. As kids get accustomed to the taste and start liking it, they will crave those food items automatically.

Q2. What flavours do children like?

Children typically like sweet and salty flavours the most. Thus, when exploring kids’ South Indian food, it’s best to stick to these comfortable palates in the beginning.

Q3. Why is South Indian food special?

Other than from a cultural perspective, South Indian food is special because of the use of intensely aromatic spices, herbs and varied elements. Most parents look forward to introducing healthy South Indian food options to their kids.

Q4. What are South Indian breakfast items?

Idli, dosa, uppama, appam, puttu, idiyappam, poori, and rice sevai are some popular South Indian breakfast options.