As a busy parent, you may not have time to spend hours preparing nutritious snacks for your kids. But that doesn't mean you need to resort to prepackaged chips, cookies and snack bars that may be high in sugar or fat and low in nutritional value. Plenty of healthy options exist that need not take more than a few minutes to prepare.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are both calorie-dense and nutrient-dense, meaning they contain a lot of calories in a small package, but also a lot of nutrients. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and protein content of nuts and seeds help fuel kids' growth in a healthy way and provide a feeling of fullness that keeps kids satisfied longer.
Cheese
Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and comes in a variety of styles and flavors kids love. Chop 1 to 2 oz. of block cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack into chunks and serve with crackers or slices of pear. Other alternatives include string cheeses and mini cheese wheels packaged in individual servings that kids can take with them when on the go.
Breakfast Cereal
Cereal isn't strictly for breakfast. Choose a cereal made with whole grains that's low in sugar. Most cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, so they are a good way to get extra nutrients into your child. Serve a bowl of cereal any time of the day as a snack, either with milk or dry. Toss in a handful of berries or raisins to add extra antioxidants.
Baked Chips and Salsa
Forgo the deep-fried tortilla chips and buy baked tortilla chips instead. With only about a third of its calories from fat, baked tortilla chips still have an appealing taste, but are much healthier for your child. Serve with a small dish of salsa on the side to provide lycopene.
Frozen Treats
Pop a bunch of grapes or a small box of blueberries in the freezer and you have a frozen treat that you can dole out by the handful whenever your kids clamor for something cool. You can also find fruit bars made without added sugars, or make your own mini versions by freezing 100 percent juice in ice cube trays with toothpick handles.
New Fruits
Snack time is an excellent time to introduce new fruits to your child. Pick up a few unusual varieties, such as dragon fruit, papaya or kumquats, and let your child choose which new fruit to try the next time snack time rolls around.
Member Comments