Abu Dhabi International Book Fair's Virtual Session Series Continues with Children's Nutrition Expert Annabel Karmel

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the multi-million selling cookbook author offered parents simple recipes and tips on healthy eating habits for children 

Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 23, 2020:   With the 30th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) being postponed until next year, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) continued its Virtual Session Series on Tuesday with Annabel Karmel, the children’s nutrition expert whose cookbooks have sold millions of copies around the world.

The session, titled Happy, Healthy Families: Eat Well, Feel Good, was the second in a series of live social media streams to give the audience the opportunity to meet with famous authors and artists from the safety of their own homes.

From her kitchen in her home in London, UK, Karmel showcased a nutritious and delicious recipe for parents to make – sugar-free chocolate orange balls. Made with dates, cocoa powder, cashew nuts, raisins, and orange extract, she said the recipe was simple enough for young children to make themselves with the help of their parents.

Karmel’s career as a nutrition expert began after her first child died at the age of three months. She gave birth to another baby a year later, her son Nicholas, whom she described as the “world’s worst eater”. Her concerns about his fussy eating led her to devise a series of healthy and delicious recipes to tempt her baby into enjoying food. These were compiled into her first book, The Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner, which, after being rejected by numerous publishers was eventually released in 1991. The book has gone on to become the authoritative guide for parents on feeding their babies and children, selling more than five million copies. As well as going on to write a further 46 books, she has recently brought out her own range of baby foods.

During the live stream, Karmel answered questions from her fans about weening babies, childhood nutrition and other topics. She said at least 90 percent of children go through a fussy eating stage at some point in their development, so presentation of food was especially important. Karmel also suggested that parents should get their children to join them in cooking from a young age, as this will increase their appreciation of food, as well as offering a bonding opportunity between parent and child.