Oriental Medicine Nourishing Recipes for Children with Developmental Concerns: Part 1 - Breakfast Edition

In the morning,
・Are they dazed?
・Are they in a bad mood?
・Can they not concentrate?
・Are they restless?
Do you see any of these behaviors?

In Oriental medicine, the morning is considered an important time for building the body's energy (Qi).

Children, in particular, use a lot of energy for growth.
If they skip breakfast or just have something sweet,
・They may get tired easily
・They may not be able to concentrate
・They may become irritable easily
This can lead to these states.

Breakfast from the perspective of Oriental medicine
In Oriental medicine, the function known as the "Spleen" is thought to create energy from food.
The Spleen excels at processing:
・Warm foods
・Easily digestible foods

Conversely, it struggles with:
・Cold foods
・Only sweet foods
It is okay if it is not perfect every day.

Let's start with a breakfast that is gentle on the stomach and intestines.

Recipe 01
Egg Rice Porridge
Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• Cooked rice: 1 bowl (150g)

• Egg: 1

• Dashi stock: 400ml

• Soy sauce: 1/2 teaspoon

• Salt: a pinch

• Green onion (if available): appropriate amount

Instructions
1. Put the dashi stock in a pot and heat it.
2. Add the rice and break it up gently.
3. Pour in the beaten egg in a circular motion.
4. Once the egg is fluffy and set, season with soy sauce and salt.
5. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with green onions to finish.

Oriental Medicine Point
Eggs are an ingredient that replenishes "Qi and Blood" and supports growth.
Rice porridge is gentle on digestion and is recommended for mornings when the stomach and intestines have not yet fully woken up.

Recipe 02
Banana Kinako Toast
Ingredients (for 1 serving)

• Bread (6-slice thickness): 1 slice

• Banana: 1/2

• Kinako (roasted soybean flour): 1 teaspoon

• Honey (optional): 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions
1. Toast the bread until golden brown.
2. Slice the banana into rounds.
3. Arrange the banana slices on top of the toast.
4. Sprinkle with kinako.
5. Drizzle with honey if desired to finish.

Oriental Medicine Point
Bananas have the effect of cooling the body's heat.
Kinako (roasted soybean flour) is known as an ingredient that replenishes 'qi' and energizes the body.
It is recommended to eat it with warm tea or soup.

Recipe 03
Sweet Potato Miso Soup
Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 100g Sweet potato

• 1/4 Onion

• 400ml Dashi stock

• 1 tbsp Miso

• Small green onions (if available), as needed

Instructions
1. Wash the sweet potato well and slice it thinly.
2. Slice the onion thinly.
3. Put the dashi, sweet potato, and onion in a pot and boil.
4. Once the vegetables are soft, turn off the heat and dissolve the miso into the soup.
5. Reheat without letting it come to a boil.
6. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with small green onions to finish.

Oriental Medicine Point
Sweet potato is an ingredient that invigorates the 'spleen' and replenishes energy.
It is also recommended for children who tire easily or when they have no appetite.

It's okay not to be perfect
In Oriental medicine, it is important to 'continue a little bit every day'.

To start with,
・One warm dish
・One protein dish
Just being conscious of these is enough.

Things you can do starting today
✓ Add a warm soup in the morning
✓ Don't just finish with sweet bread
✓ Chew well when eating
✓ Eat together with mom and dad
A child's physical development begins with their daily meals.
Please try to incorporate this within a reasonable range.