Shanku’s Biryani Wish Fulfilled: Kerala Revises Anganwadi Menu with Tastier, Healthier Meals

Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George fulfilled little Shanku’s wish to have biryani instead of upma at the anganwadi. After Shanku’s video expressing this desire caught public attention, the Minister had promised to review the food menu provided at Anganwadis. True to her word, the menu for Anganwadi children has now been revised by the Department of Women and Child Development.
The updated menu is designed to ensure children's health by reducing sugar and salt levels while meeting nutritional standards. It includes energy-rich and protein-rich foods that support children's growth, all while making the meals more appealing and tasty.
The revised menu includes changes to the breakfast, lunch, and general feeding schedules provided at anganwadis as part of supplementary nutrition. This is the first time a unified food menu is being implemented across the state. Minister Veena George officially launched the revised “Model Food Menu” at the state-level inauguration of the anganwadi reopening event held in Pathanamthitta.
Following her promise to Shanku, the Minister had directed the Women and Child Development Department to convene discussions at various levels. As a result, the menu was modified in a way that promotes health without compromising on taste. The new menu includes items like egg biryani and vegetable pulao. The frequency of serving eggs and milk has also been increased from two to three days a week.
According to the revised menu, children will receive a variety of meals throughout the week:
Monday

Breakfast: Milk, pidi (rice dumplings), kozhukatta/elayappam

Lunch: Rice, green gram curry, leafy vegetable curry, stir-fried vegetables/thoran

General feeding: Grains, parippu payasam (dal pudding)
Tuesday

Breakfast: Nutri laddu

Lunch: Egg biryani/Egg pulao, fruit cup

General feeding: Ragi ada
Wednesday

Breakfast: Milk, pidi, kozhukatta/elayappam, chana sweet

Lunch: Green gram porridge, vegetable root curry, soya dry fry

General feeding: Idli, sambar, puttu, green peas curry
Thursday

Breakfast: Ragi, rice ada/elayappam

Lunch: Rice, sprouted green gram, leafy thoran, sambar, egg omelette

General feeding: Beaten rice, jaggery, mixed fruit
Friday

Breakfast: Milk, kozhukatta

Lunch: Rice, green gram curry, aviyal, leafy curry, thoran

General feeding: Broken wheat pulao
Saturday

Breakfast: Nutri laddu

Lunch: Vegetable pulao, egg, raita

General feeding: Cereal payasam
Each dish in the menu comes with detailed information about the ingredients used and their nutritional values, including energy and protein content.