Most parents would agree that it’s quite a task to ensure their children eat healthy meals. While kids want tasty and attractive-looking options, their parents look for the nutritional value involved. Fortunately, there are many brands on the market making this task an easy one. Here’s our round-up of five brands offering healthy and super tasty treats for kids.
Slurrp Farm
Founded by two mothers, Shauravi Malik and Meghana Narayan, Slurrp Farm arguably revolutionised the Indian kid’s food market. With its high-quality, healthy food options for children which are also tasty, the brand has been quite the market disruptor. Slurrp Farm’s snacks and pre-mixes contain no additives, no preservatives and are made with mostly organic ingredients, real fruit as well as many essential minerals and vitamins. In their quest to provide the healthiest options, they also use real butter and wholegrains with zero trans fats. The products are made from traditional recipes and are packed with protein, calcium and fibre.
“Globally, children’s diets are loaded with nutrient-poor foods made with refined wheat flour (maida), trans fats and excess sugar and salt. An alarming number of children are developing health problems and allergies related to unhealthy diets. Childhood obesity is on the rise and children are at a greater risk of developing lifestyle disorders. Our pattern of eating and the nutrition content of our meals have dramatically changed, adversely affecting our health and our planet’s health. To solve this we must start by addressing our daily food choices. At Slurrp Farm, we offer sustainable, nutrient dense and diverse ingredients to enhance our children’s diet. This we thought is the best way to ensure that kids, farmers and the planet stay happy,” explain the founders.
Snack-a-Doodle
Mumbai-based brand Snack-A-Doodle, co-founded by two mothers, Radhieka Pandeya and Simer Dhall, offers healthy snacking options for children. “The current premium kids snack market has limited options for allergen friendly and truly healthy snacks. There are caveats and hidden ingredients across many brands that had us concerned as mothers ourselves. Our vision is to simplify the choices for moms looking to give their kids the freedom to self-snack with a wholesome, trustworthy range of healthy snacks,” explain the founders.
As parents themselves, they were aware that healthy eating doesn’t matter to kids, only the taste of the food does. Hence, getting the taste of the products right was a huge priority. Under health and fitness coach Pandeya’s guidance, the team has designed recipes that are healthy and tasty. They explain, “We always tell our clients that it is not about making binary choices. Kids should enjoy all kinds of snacks as long as they are introduced to the concept of healthy snacking at an early age. If their palate gets used to non-processed sugar or alternative flours early, they will reap long-term benefits.”
The Baker’s Dozen
Founded in 2013 in Mumbai by husband-wife duo Sneh Jain and Aditi Handa, The Baker’s Dozen had a single agenda – to provide high-quality bread. Its latest innovation is a healthy treat for kids – the guilt-free, wholesome and delicious Zero Maida Donut Cake. This choco-filled cake in the shape of a donut contains absolutely no nasties, focussing instead on real and high quality ingredients. There is no maida or palm oil, refined sugar or artificial colours. As if that wasn’t enough, each Rs 30 package comes with a free sticker to appeal to kids.
“The Zero Maida Donut Cake is baked and not fried. It delightfully blends the texture of donuts with the satisfying experience of biting into a cake. The choco-filled treat is created as the perfect on-the-go or tiffin snack for health-conscious consumers by eliminating palm oil, artificial flavours and refined sugar – all this without compromising on the taste or quality. It is the best new choice for mothers who want a healthy product to satisfy their kids’ sweet cravings! It comes in single-serve packaging, making it perfect for lunchboxes or convenient on-the-go snacks,” says Jain, the co-founder and managing director of The Baker’s Dozen.
Handa, co-founder and head chef, adds, “The Zero Maida Cake is our answer to the growing demand for healthier, convenient snacking options. With summer approaching, we wanted to create something special that parents could feel good about giving to their children as a tasty snack option without compromising on nutrition whatsoever.”
Hungry Boo
As two loving mothers Jayati and Sapna, the founders of Hungry Boo, were on a quest to provide the very best nutrition for their children. Jayati brought on board her experience as a mom of two and Sapna offered her expertise as a UK-registered nutrition expert. As they describe it: “We are on a mission to transform mealtimes into a delightful adventure, one mouthful at a time. Our vast range of products are more than just flavourful companions for your kitchen – they will take you and your little ones on a global flavour adventure! From the bustling streets of Asia to the cosy kitchens of the Mediterranean, we have carefully captured the essence of diverse cuisines to excite even the tiniest taste buds.”
With the idea of cultivating a keenness for diverse flavours, textures and cuisines, Hungry Boo’s products provide children with a diverse flavour profile, broadening their palate and nutrition. Their recipes are carefully curated to please the little ones, and their commitment to sustainability ensures they use fresh, wholesome ingredients that are good for the planet.
“In our kitchen, we place a special focus on ensuring that every recipe we craft not only meets stringent nutritional standards but also passes the taste test with flying colours,” share the founders.
Poptales
Founded by Sehar Khanna, Poptales is an indie brand that makes snacks known as ‘pops’ which are rich in macro and micronutrients aimed at kids, eight months and up. The pops are gluten free, sugar and jaggery free, dairy-free and free from preservatives.
Their products include the Super Immunity pop, crafted from gram flour and a blend of eight kitchen spices and herbs to strengthen your child’s immunity against infections; the Brain Gain pop made by blending overnight soaked and roasted organic walnuts, red poha, pumpkin seeds, coconut, and flax seeds; the Burly Bones and Teeth pop which claim to pack as much calcium as 100ml of milk. They are made by blending sesame seeds, cashews, chia seeds and dates; the Incredible Iron pop which claims to pack as much iron as a cup of spinach. They are made from sprouted ragi, raw cacao powder rolled in soaked and peeled mamra almonds, sunflowers seeds and dates; and the Mighty Muscle pop, which contain as much protein as an egg. They are made with chana sattu, organic peanuts and dates.
“As a certified nutritionist and health and wellness buff, I was concerned about my daughter getting optimal nutrition. Our all-natural and healthy ingredients make for ideal snacks for little ones,” explains Khanna on her Instagram page.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
