If your child would sooner polish off a bag of chips or a box of cookies than eat a healthier snack, steer her back in the right direction. Protein-rich snacks will help her feel full until dinnertime, and give her plenty of energy to play. If your child has allergies or a health condition, consult her pediatrician before feeding her new snacks.
Fun Cheese Shapes
In the article "The 20 Best Snacks for Kids," "Parents" magazine recommends cutting cheese into fun shapes for your child to snack on between meals. Cheese is high in protein and will help keep your child nourished and full of energy between meals. Place a thin piece of cheese on the counter and press a fun-shaped cookie cutter, such as a circle, a star or a diamond, over the cheese. Place the cheese pieces and a few pieces of fruit, such as grapes and blueberries, between the cheese shapes.
Smoothies
Placing plain yogurt, strawberries, bananas and ice in a blender will create a delicious smoothie that you can serve as a before-lunch or before-dinner snack, says MayoClinic.com. Because yogurt is high in protein, it will also allow your child to receive adequate nutrition while he's enjoying a sweet treat. If you're particularly concerned about your child's protein intake, add a spoonful of wheat germ or protein powder to up the nutritional value even more.
Trail Mix
Whip up a nutritious, protein-filled trail mix using nuts that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids will help promote heart health and reduce cholesterol. Although your child may not need to worry about cholesterol now, encouraging him to eat healthy now will help him establish good habits in the future. Mix nuts such as walnuts and almonds with raisins and dried cranberries. Although nuts are nutritious, they are also high in saturated fat, so limit your child's portion to about a handful of trail mix.
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