5 herbs you should be adding to your kids' food

If you’re someone who prefers nature’s remedies to anything the doctor could prescribe, this is for you. We’re bringing you 5 herbs and spices we recommend adding to your kids’ meals that aid anything from fevers to a lack of appetite.

Yummy herbs to add to your kids dishes

Saying kids can be a handful would probably be one of the bigger understatements one could make. Along with the joys they bring they also come with a suitcase full of moods, fuss and ailments that would worry any parent sick. Try adding these herbs and spices to your kids’ meals as a simple solution to some tiresome problems.

Remember though, as with any other food, you should introduce them slowly into your child’s diet to check for allergic reactions. Do it one at a time for easy identification of which ingredient is causing the reaction, if any.

1. Turmeric

Deemed one of nature’s ‘super foods’, it is jam-packed with antioxidants and immune-boosting qualities. Turmeric has been known to aid digestion and fight stomach problems such as heartburn. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help combat asthma. Add turmeric to stews and meat dishes for hint of sweetness and a splash of bright yellow that kids will love!

As with any new ingredient, check with your little one’s doctor and introduce it gradually to ensure there isn’t an allergic reaction!

2. Ginger

With a strong list of beneficial qualities, ginger ranks pretty high up on the list of beneficial herbs. Along with its many properties, it has been known to help with motion sickness and nausea. Try boiling a few slices of ginger with honey and lemon, have your child drink it before a trip if he or she is prone to motion sickness.

Being highly versatile there are loads of ways to introduce ginger into your kids’ meals! Try it in stir-fries or Chinese and Thai soups to enhance the flavours of the other ingredients.

Use with caution the first time round, ginger is also known to have a mild, laxative effect. So go easy on your tots when introducing it into their dishes, as time goes on you may add more.

3. Thyme

Got a fussy eater on your hands? Do your kids have a lack of appetite when it comes to meal times? Turn meal times into meal ‘thymes’! Thyme is often used in kid-friendly Italian dishes and is known for increasing children’s appetites. Throw some into sauces and meat marinades with some lemon zest – the flavours really compliment one another.

Thyme also relieves colds and allergies, like ginger, boil some and make a tea. It should alleviate cold-like symptoms!

4. Cinnamon

There’s no doubt we’re all familiar with the warm scent of cinnamon, reminiscent of Christmas, but did you know that it possesses a world of health benefits for you and your kids alike? The scent of cinnamon alone has proven to boost cognitive function and memory – this is useful especially if your child suffers from attention deficit disorder (ADD). Additionally, it helps relieve gas and indigestion.

Complimentary to both sweet and savoury dishes – feel free to sprinkle into cream based soups or even over a fruit salad and ice-cream salad!

5. Mint

Being a strong diuretic, mint helps flush out unwanted toxins from the body. Another highly versatile herb, mint can be used in anything from drinks to meat dishes. It’s also known for increasing appetites and alleviating nausea and headaches. Despite its cooling property, mint can help induce sweating when you have a fever.

Use fresh mint leaves in pasta salads or throw a few into the blender with some ice and blueberries for a sure win smoothie with the kids.

Written by

Sonia Pasupathy