Parents who are concerned about their children's weight will look for ways to cut calories. Children snack frequently, so giving them healthy low calorie snacks instead of high fat and sugary snacks can help them control their calorie intake. Emphasize healthy choices with plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber to be sure that your children get the nutrients they need.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a healthy snack for children, and is available in low-calorie varieties. The Mayo Clinic suggests choosing reduced fat or fat free yogurt with no added sugars to keep the calories lower. Snacking on yogurt will help your children reach their daily recommendations for foods from the dairy group. Children two through eight years old should have two servings from the milk group per day, and children who are nine or older should have three servings each day. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services state that many children may not be meeting these recommendations. A cup of yogurt counts as a serving from the dairy group. It provides about 30 percent of the daily value for calcium, and some kinds of yogurt also have vitamin D, which helps your body use calcium properly.
Fruits and Vegetables
Most fruits and non-starchy vegetables are low in calories, and they provide dietary fiber and important vitamins. Your children can take whole fruit, such as apples or bananas, in their lunchboxes to eat at school. Cut vegetables, cut fruit, berries, grapes and fruit cups that do not have added sugars are also nutritious portable snacks for kids. According to the Mayo Clinic, two cups of carrots or a cup of fresh fruit each have about 100 calories. Children should get one to two cups of fruit per day and one to three cups vegetables per day, depending on their total calorie needs. To get a full range of nutrients, have your children try a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as celery sticks, strawberries, broccoli florets and pears.
Popcorn and Cereal
Popcorn is a whole grain that makes a healthy low-calorie snack for children. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services state that children should get at least half of their grains from whole grain foods. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are about 100 calories in three and a half cups of air-popped popcorn. If you choose to buy flavored popcorn, choose a low fat version that's also low in calories. If you pop popcorn in oil or add butter, there will be more calories.
Kids Health states that children should eat whole grain cereals frequently, and these can be another healthy low-calorie snack for children. Choose breakfast cereals, such as whole wheat flakes, that are low in sugar to keep the calories lower.
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