Author: Archana Doshi

Publisher: HarperCollins India

Genre:  Non-fiction  (Food &Travel)

Tiffin - refers to a light breakfast or a light tea-time meal at about 3 p.m., consisting of typical tea-time foods. In certain parts of India, it can also refer to the midday luncheon or, in some regions of the Indian subcontinent, a between-meal snack.

 The word 'tiffin' comes from the Indian term meaning 'light snack' or 'light meal'. It can also mean a packed lunchbox.

 The term originated during the days of the British Raj and was used to refer to afternoon tea. Today, the word tiffin has become synonymous with lunchbox but in India, it is used for afternoon snacks or sweet treats too.

 Here is a book TASTY TIFFIN by Archana Doshi where the author craftily carved 40 + delicious and healthy recipes for kids' lunch boxes. It is for kids, as they are the ones, who many a time unable to eat the food completely and bring back lunch boxes half-done.

 This needs to be looked after and demands attention as Nutrition acts as fuel for our bodies. It's also important during the years a child is growing up and developing into an adolescent. Proper nutrition provides the necessary nutrients and energy for their growth, strengthens their immune system, and supports brain development.

 School-age children need to eat foods from all 5 healthy food groups. The 5 healthy food groups are vegetables and legumes, fruit, cereals and grain foods, dairy and dairy alternatives, and meat and meat alternatives. Healthy foods have nutrients that are important for growth, development, and learning.

The author very consciously selected the recipes and the ingredients that go into the making. In every chapter, she briefly explains about the menu and then the recipe follows.

The lunch plans stated in the book draw focus on:

·         Foods high in protein, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin C, such as milk, eggs, leafy greens, fruits, and lean meats, can significantly contribute to your child's height and overall physical development.

·         Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butter.

·         Make it easy for kids to choose healthy snacks by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter, and celery, or whole-grain crackers and cheese. Serve good sources of protein, such as eggs, beans, and nuts.

 A balanced diet full of essential vitamins and minerals will help kids reach their full growth potential.  Give your child something to eat or drink about every 2 to 3 hours, or about 5 or 6 times a day. This will give your child about 3 meals and 2 to 3 snacks every day.

A good rule of thumb is to start meals with small servings and let your child ask for more if they're still hungry. Avoid making your child finish everything on the plate or eat more than they want to. Use smaller plates for younger children, as adult-size plates could encourage them to eat oversized portions.

Healthy foods help in various spheres of life. Healthy food does not only impact physical health but mental health too. When they eat healthy fruits and vegetables that are full of nutrients, the chances of diseases are reduced. For instance, green vegetables help us to maintain strength and vigor.

 Teaching children about foods by reading or learning about them is an effective way to help children become more familiar with foods. Reading books that have images of foods in them, or that have a food-related theme, and talking about this afterwards is a great way to expose children to foods away from mealtime. This book TASTY TIFFIN fits well in this category.

Talk about where their food comes from. Let them help you decide on menus. Show them the joy of cooking delicious meals together to share with family and friends. Creating a positive attitude towards food and meal preparation while they are young helps them to establish healthy eating habits for life.

We flavor our food mainly with spices. We eat what we grow, when possible. The kids help, and they can see what it takes to grow a seed into a fruit or vegetable in a healthy way. They connect to the smell, feel, and taste of the stuff they have helped grow.

The book TASTY TIFFIN is sure to free parents from their worry about their kids' food and eating habits. This book will tickle the taste buds of the kids to enjoy yummy as well as healthy foods, thereby completing their meals and snacks without wasting anything.