Many kids opt for junk food instead of making a nutritious selection when deciding on a snack. A study led by Corinna Koebnick, a Ph.D. with the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation, found that 5.5 percent of girls and 7.3 percent of boys are considered extremely obese, which means they have a body mass index over the 99th percentile for their age. A good snack for kids can be easy to prepare and doesn't have to be junk food.
Nutrition
Keeping snack foods healthy is important for a child, so he can supply his body with important nutrients. Snacks such as cheese slices or a container of yogurt provide calcium for growing strong bones and teeth. Whole-grain bread or crackers provide the fiber necessary for bowel regularity and preventing dehydration. Fruits and vegetables are sources of vitamins that the body needs to support the growth of muscles, nerves and connective tissues.
Ideas
Healthy snacks can be fun for kids as well. Lightly salted popcorn, a mix of raisins, nuts and marshmallows, fig bars and sunflower seeds are all good snack choices. Parents who want to get creative with snacks can try freezing yogurt into ice cube trays to make popsicles, making homemade parfaits with yogurt and granola, spreading peanut butter on a tortilla for a different type of sandwich or dipping a banana in yogurt and rolling it in crispy cereal.
Variety
Keeping a variety of snacks on hand will encourage kids to make healthy food choices. The Maine Center for Public Health recommends teaching kids that all foods are good to eat, so they will learn to appreciate a wide range of different snacks. Keeping a selection of items such as pitas to fill with cheese or hummus, applesauce cups, baby carrots with dip, turkey or ham to roll up with a slice of cheese, mini-bagels, muffins and melon balls will all give kids the opportunity to vary their snacks each day.
Significance
Kids are always on the go with activities and are actively growing, so a healthy snack provides ongoing energy between meals. Snacks also help kids focus mentally by maintaining a stable blood sugar level, building their concentration for studies and hobbies. While many children eat three meals a day, snacks are important for maintaining these levels between meals.
Convenience
Because many families are busy, healthy snacking may be difficult due to inconvenience. In order to get the best results from snacks, Teens Health from Nemours recommends planning ahead to make healthy snacks part of a daily routine. Preparing carrot or apple slices in advance, carrying a container of crackers or pretzels, making homemade trail mix to have on hand or purchasing small containers of milk or juice are all ways that healthy snacks can be prepared in advance and carried with you.
Member Comments