Vitamin D became a part of my everyday life when my daughter was born. Those who have kids know how important this vitamin is for proper bone, muscle and teeth development in babies and small children. I am sure your pediatrician repeated several times how important milk is for your baby and recommended vitamin D drops as a supplement.
Vitamin D is also called “sunshine vitamin” and differs from other vitamins because our bodies can make most of what we need with exposure to sunlight. That is why we try to spend as much time as possible playing outside when the weather is good (Sarah is now 26 months old). However, winter is coming, so exposure to sunlight will be significantly reduced.
To increase vitamin D intake, I incorporate it in meals. And because this vitamin is mostly found in dairy products, it is perfect for sweet treats. So, let’s incorporate vitamin D in a warm and cozy sweet delight we’ll be able to eat by the fireplace on a cold snowy day. Pancakes. Hooray for that! (Sarah is clapping her hands too ?)
Since I have my cooking app MyGreatRecipes I discovered how to turn pancakes into a perfect wintery delight, ideal for eating with a cup of warm coffee or tea while reading a book. The secret is in the spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. Keep on reading for more suggestions below.
Benefits of Vitamin D in Banana Bread
Vitamin D is not important just for the bones. It also helps maintain hormone balance and immune regulation. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in a softening of the bones and bone abnormality. Other vitamin D deficiency symptoms include weakened immune system, depression, autoimmune disease, cancer, skin issues and dementia.
Changes in the Pancake Base
First, we need to make some important changes in the recipe base to make it healthier. It is not my intention to feed my kid unhealthy, sugary stuff all winter. What good would strong bones be if we all become overweight? Here is what you need to do:
– Replace regular flour with whole wheat, oatmeal, coconut flour, almond flour or soy flour;
– Replace regular refined sugar with honey, pure maple syrup, molasses, agave syrup or stevia;
– Use healthier vegetable oil alternatives, like olive oil or coconut oil.
Many vitamin D-rich foods are already standard in pancake recipes:
- Egg yolks are very rich in vitamin D. Most pancake recipes call for at least one egg, some even include two. This is a good start. For more softness and fluffiness beat the egg whites separately.
- Cow milk. Most of the nutrients that are in regular milk are destroyed during the high heat pasteurization process, including vitamin D, so choose raw milk instead. Adding 1 ½ cup milk contributes softness and moisture to your pancakes.
- Yogurt and sour cream. Other ingredients that are used for extra fluffiness and tenderness are plain whole milk yogurt (3/4 to 1 cup) and sour cream (2 cups). Besides vitamin D, yogurt and sour cream are rich in proteins and minerals.
Cream Cheese Fillings and Toppings
I love cheese pancakes, especially when the slight saltiness of cheese is combined with fruit, like strawberries. Or the Lemon Poppy Seed Cheese Pancake recipe. It calls for low-fat cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1 tablespoon orange zest plus 3 tablespoons poppy seeds. This one is perfect served with a cup of coffee in the morning for instant waking up!
Heavy whipping cream is also rich in vitamin D and you can use it plain on top of your pancakes or to prepare flavored toppings, like vanilla glaze.
Vitamin D is mostly found in fish (mackerel, tuna, cob), meat (turkey, beef) and mushroom. Find a recipe for savory mushroom pancakes or try mixing meat and vegetables in exotic pancake recipes, like the Korean or Japanese version.
Vitamin D became a part of my everyday life when my daughter was born. Those who have kids know how important this vitamin is for proper bone, muscle and teeth development in babies and small children. I am sure your pediatrician repeated several times how important milk is for your baby and recommended vitamin D drops as a supplement.
Vitamin D is also called “sunshine vitamin” and differs from other vitamins because our bodies can make most of what we need with exposure to sunlight. That is why we try to spend as much time as possible playing outside when the weather is good (Sarah is now 26 months old). However, winter is coming, so exposure to sunlight will be significantly reduced.
To increase vitamin D intake, I incorporate it in meals. And because this vitamin is mostly found in dairy products, it is perfect for sweet treats. So, let’s incorporate vitamin D in a warm and cozy sweet delight we’ll be able to eat by the fireplace on a cold snowy day. Pancakes. Hooray for that! (Sarah is clapping her hands too ?)
Since I have my cooking app MyGreatRecipes I discovered how to turn pancakes into a perfect wintery delight, ideal for eating with a cup of warm coffee or tea while reading a book. The secret is in the spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. Keep on reading for more suggestions below.
Benefits of Vitamin D in Banana Bread
Vitamin D is not important just for the bones. It also helps maintain hormone balance and immune regulation. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in a softening of the bones and bone abnormality. Other vitamin D deficiency symptoms include weakened immune system, depression, autoimmune disease, cancer, skin issues and dementia.
Changes in the Pancake Base
First, we need to make some important changes in the recipe base to make it healthier. It is not my intention to feed my kid unhealthy, sugary stuff all winter. What good would strong bones be if we all become overweight? Here is what you need to do:
– Replace regular flour with whole wheat, oatmeal, coconut flour, almond flour or soy flour;
– Replace regular refined sugar with honey, pure maple syrup, molasses, agave syrup or stevia;
– Use healthier vegetable oil alternatives, like olive oil or coconut oil.
Many vitamin D-rich foods are already standard in pancake recipes:
- Egg yolks are very rich in vitamin D. Most pancake recipes call for at least one egg, some even include two. This is a good start. For more softness and fluffiness beat the egg whites separately.
- Cow milk. Most of the nutrients that are in regular milk are destroyed during the high heat pasteurization process, including vitamin D, so choose raw milk instead. Adding 1 ½ cup milk contributes softness and moisture to your pancakes.
- Yogurt and sour cream. Other ingredients that are used for extra fluffiness and tenderness are plain whole milk yogurt (3/4 to 1 cup) and sour cream (2 cups). Besides vitamin D, yogurt and sour cream are rich in proteins and minerals.
Cream Cheese Fillings and Toppings
I love cheese pancakes, especially when the slight saltiness of cheese is combined with fruit, like strawberries. Or the Lemon Poppy Seed Cheese Pancake recipe. It calls for low-fat cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1 tablespoon orange zest plus 3 tablespoons poppy seeds. This one is perfect served with a cup of coffee in the morning for instant waking up!
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Heavy whipping cream is also rich in vitamin D and you can use it plain on top of your pancakes or to prepare flavored toppings, like vanilla glaze.
Vitamin D is mostly found in fish (mackerel, tuna, cob), meat (turkey, beef) and mushroom. Find a recipe for savory mushroom pancakes or try mixing meat and vegetables in exotic pancake recipes, like the Korean or Japanese version.
I would enjoy making these pancakes. I do realize how important it is to get Vitamin D. These are great tips.
My daughters love to eat pancakes with berries for breakfast. I love the little sunshine you made. That is a great idea. I love the recipe for the Lemon Poppy Seed Cheese Pancakes for myself. Lemon poppyseed is my favorite combo.
This would be good for summer, too, seeing so many deals on strawberries and blueberries. One thing I love about pancakes, is I can use almost any flour, especially when I have odds and ends. These are adorable!