Tips on how to make children eat herbs
Children are usually picky eater. I know, I’m a mom of three. My children — and like other children — only eat what’s familiar to their taste and pleasing to their eyes.
Most children won’t eat food with herbs like basil because of its strong taste. But I found a better way that us moms can still put herbs on our menu that our children will love to eat.
I have in my garden three easy to plant herbs: basil, rosemary and tarragon. Caring for these herbs is not as complicated as orchids and other flower plants. They also grow fast.
You can buy a seedling or your first plant from any garden centre or plant shops. I bought mine in a plant shop inside the Quezon City Circle.
If you plan to plant more, you can just prune or cut the plant and put the cut stem in another pot, put some garden soil and water them every day but don’t expose them too much in the sun.
Basil, rosemary and tarragon are nutrient-rich herbs.
Basil is a popular herb that we usually topped on pizzas because of its peppery flavor. Basil is an antioxidant herb that also contains vitamins and minerals.
Rosemary is a good source of iron and calcium that are good for our blood and bones.
Tarragon has many nutrients, too, such as manganese that is essential for brain health and metabolism.
With my little picky eaters at home, I usually mix these herbs with their favorite food. Here are sample dishes where I usually put these herbs.
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Chicken nugget with basil, tarragon, rosemary and dill
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Grilled or fried chicken breast with basil, tarragon, rosemanry and dill
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Tuna Pasta with basil
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Ginger, calamansi and lemon balm iced tea
Another advantage having herbs inside the house is that their scent serves as natural insect repellent and air freshener.
World Vision also teaches mothers in our communities to plant nutrient-rich plants in their home to combat malnutrition and other illnesses that young children may get.
But if you don’t have a big yard, like the parents in rural communities, these herbs will surely help provide nutrients for your kids.
Written by: Divina Dizon-Bertos
Photos by Divina Dizon-Bertos and Dexter Gamboa
