Building healthy eating habits does not only happen when food is served, but also during the cooking process. Involving children in simple activities, such as washing vegetables or stirring an egg mixture, can be a way to introduce them to a variety of food ingredients from an early age.

Preparing meals for children is often a moment that tests parents’ creativity. Every day, they are not only expected to serve nutritious food, but also to stimulate the appetite of children whose preferences can be difficult to predict. This effort becomes increasingly important during the growth and development period, when adequate and balanced nutrition plays a major role in supporting children’s growth and development.

However, before ensuring that nutritional needs are met, the first challenge parents often face is simply getting children to eat enthusiastically. The phenomenon known as “GTM” (gerakan tutup mulut), in which children refuse food or only want to eat certain types of food, is still commonly encountered during the growing years. This condition requires parents to find ways to keep mealtimes enjoyable without compromising the nutritional quality of the food provided.

Every family naturally faces different challenges. Children’s changing appetites often require parents to continually look for menu variations. At the same time, limited time, budgets, and knowledge about nutrition can also influence decisions when choosing food ingredients. Under these circumstances, food ingredients that are readily available, affordable, and nutrient-rich are often the most realistic choices for meeting children’s nutritional needs.

In the daily lives of Indonesians, chicken and eggs are two of the most readily available sources of animal protein. In addition to being relatively affordable and easy to prepare, both contain nutrients needed during the growth period. Their versatility allows chicken and eggs to be transformed into a wide range of dishes, from simple home-cooked meals to various modern creations that are increasingly popular.

Creativity Makes Food More Appealing

Creativity is one approach many parents use to introduce food to children. While adults generally place greater emphasis on taste, children are often drawn to the appearance of food first. Unique shapes, varied colors, or different textures can encourage them to try foods they were previously less interested in.

For this reason, chicken and eggs are often turned into more appealing dishes, such as homemade nuggets, chicken meatballs, mini satay, rolled eggs, or chicken-filled rice balls shaped like characters. The growth of social media has further expanded this source of inspiration through various examples of school lunchboxes that combine chicken, eggs, and vegetables in simple yet attractive presentations.

Essentially, this approach is not merely about changing the appearance of food. A more enjoyable presentation can help children become familiar with a wider variety of foods and gradually develop the habit of consuming sources of animal protein as well as vegetables.

In addition to menu variety, cooking methods also affect nutritional quality. Chicken should be cooked appropriately so that its texture remains tender and its nutrients are preserved. Chicken breast is known for its high protein content and lower fat content, while chicken thighs have a more tender texture that many children prefer.

Eggs also offer a variety of preparation methods. Boiled, steamed, scrambled, or made into an omelet, they can all be part of a daily menu, as long as the amount of oil used is taken into consideration.

This article is an excerpt from the Pasca Panen section of the September 2026 edition of Poultry Indonesia magazine. Read the full article in the September 2026 edition of Poultry Indonesia magazine. For subscriptions or further information, contact: https://wa.me/+6287780120754 or sirkulasipoultry@gmail.com.

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