Ayurveda stresses the importance of integrating all six tastes into a small child’s diet. This can further help to maintain an optimal level of nutrition and fitness. When planning to make a diet chart for kids, you also need to take care of the seasons. Following is a generic sample daily meal plan. It is adapted for those living in the Mediterranean climate.
Ayurvedic Diet for Kids
Breakfast
Sweet: Oatmeal with Mashed Bananas & a Handful of Honey
Sour: a few fresh orange slices
Astringent: 6-7 soaked Almonds OR Small bowl of fresh Pomegranate seeds.
Mid-Morning Snack
Sweet: A cup of warm milk with a dash of turmeric
Sharp: A slice of ginger and honey (as needed).
Lunch
Sweet: Steamed rice and quinoa
Salty: Lemon juice and yogurt (only a little).
Savory Saltyness: 1/8 tsp pink Himalayan salt in the cooked veggies.
Bitter: A handful of spinach or kale sautéed with oil
Lentil soup or something with chickpeas For this Submit astringent wine
Hearty Food: Key Lime Salad (Tossed with a Cool Lemon Vinaigrette) Pungent: Traditional Vegetable Curry (Small Spice, But Many Vegetables, Spices like Cumin, Coriander and Turmeric are Used.)
Afternoon Snack
Dessert: A fruit dessert such as an apple or pear
Acid: Tiny handful of fresh berries.
Dinner
Sweet: Cooked sweet potato or carrot.
Sour: A wee bit of tamarind chutney or a squeeze of lime juice on top.
Salty: Salty with Steamed Vegetables lightly salted steamed vegetables
Bitter: Bitter gourd (karela) or fenugreek (methi) (a small qty.)
Astringent: Whole wheat chapati or roti
Fruity: A mild fruit stir-fry with ginger and garlic.
Bedtime
Sweet: Cardamom Hot Milk
General Tips
- Meals should be mild and digestible for small kids.
- Add flavors slowly to make the kids accept to taste them.
- Remember to take food allergies and intolerances into account, if any
- Opt for all-natural, ideally organic ingredients when available.
- Drink a lot of water during the day
If you want more personalized meal plans and dietary advice, then it is always better to see an Ayurvedic Practitioner or a Pediatric Nutritionist.
