Snacks can help keep your child energized between meals. According to KidsHealth, snacks are an important part of a healthy diet because they help stave off hunger and give your children fuel to stay active until their next meal. Healthy snacks can also boost the amount of important vitamins and minerals your children consume during the day. Junk food may taste good but it does not offer nutrition or energy. Offering your children healthy snacks can taste just as yummy as their favorite treats, but with the added benefit of nutrition.
Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables fill your children up and provide many important vitamins and minerals. According to Healthy Children, if you cut or slice a variety of fruits and vegetables and make them available to kids at snack time, chances are they will eat them. Keep junk out of the house or at least out of sight of your kids and they will choose what is available. If your children are not enthusiastic about plain fruits and vegetables, try adding a dip, such as cheese, yogurt or peanut butter. Hummus is another option your children may enjoy with chopped vegetables.
Cheese
Cheese provides nutrition and calcium for your growing children, and KidsHealth recommends sliced cheese as a healthy option at snack time. Try cutting sliced low-fat cheese into interesting shapes using small cookie cutters. Cheese can be served with low-fat whole grain crackers to make sandwiches. Apple slices can serve as another accompaniment to cheese slices.
Popcorn
Your children may think that popcorn is a treat reserved for watching movies, but air-popped popcorn is considered a whole grain and is low in fat and calories. Healthy Children suggests popcorn as a healthy snack because it offers nutrition and fiber. Try adding interesting toppings to the popcorn, such as dried herbs or dried fruit to up the nutritional value and encourage your children to eat it.
Cereal
Low-sugar, high-fiber cereals can provide your children with energy and nutrition. Many cereals have added vitamins and minerals that will help ensure that your children consume enough of them everyday. KidsHealth reports that dried fruit, raisins and nuts can be served as healthy snacks, so consider adding these to dry cereal to make trail mix. A bowl of cereal with milk is another healthy way to enjoy cereal. Try adding sliced fruit to boost the nutritional value even more.
Member Comments