Interview with Nidhi Gupta (@indoirishgirls).

Nidhi is a mum of two, a passionate foodie, and a travel enthusiast. She’s shared her top tips for juggling it all as a busy parent — check out her fantastic profile on Instagram: @indoirishgirls.

Do you have meals/snack hacks to encourage healthy eating for fussy eaters that you could share with other parents? 

Fortunately, my kids are not picky eaters. However, sometimes I have to sneak mushrooms into the vegetable soup for my daughter, who is not a big fan of them. I believe the easiest way to offer your kids vegetables is through soup. I also enjoy making energy balls for them by combining lots of nutritious ingredients. As long as it's sweet enough, they won't notice what you have blended together. I always have these in our fridge for quick snack options. I would advise getting your kids involved in the cooking - this really helps too.

Do you have any advice that you were once given that was very useful?

I had never heard of the term “meal preparation” before moving to Ireland from India. One day in the office, when talking about dinner, one of my co-workers told me that she prepares meals for the coming week on weekends, to relieve stress. I liked the idea of preparing ahead of time rather than freezing meals, so I started prepping in advance, for example, planning the menu, making cooking sauce, chopping vegetables, prepping for salads, and being ready for each weeknight dinner. This preparation changed everything for me while I work full-time. Since then, I've been cooking dinner every night without any stress.

What is your favourite meal to cook that suits the whole family? 

Our family favourite meal is Vegetable Pilau Rice (Indian style) served with mint & coriander chutney or spicy pickle. It's a one-pot meal that can be easily whipped up in under 30 minutes.

What is your go-to meal for your busiest days?

I love boiled basmati rice served with Indian Dal (lentil). That's my comfort food, and it's quick to cook. It's a nutritious meal that provides a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The combination of dal and rice offers a complete protein source, rich in fibre and aiding digestion..

Any advice for dealing with children who are fussy eaters?

Don’t give up, keep trying! In addition, it would help if parents could educate their children about food and nutrition at an early age. If possible, parents should discuss the negative or positive impact that certain foods can have on their health and why it's important to maintain healthy eating habits.

Instead of pressuring them to eat certain foods, go grocery shopping with them, discuss the various options, and help them make an informed choice. If nothing works, please don't stress too much. It's just a phase, and it will pass.

What's one thing that drives you crazy about one of your children’s food choices? 

One of my girls absolutely hates boiled egg yolk, so when no one is around, she eats the white part while throwing the yellow portion into the bin. I hope she can begin to eat the entire egg, even the yellow portion.