One of the main reasons to offer your child a snack between meals is to ensure that she gets adequate amounts of the nutrients she needs to grow properly. Calcium is one of these important nutrients because it promotes the maintenance of strong teeth. Your child likely does not get enough calcium from three meals a day, and offering healthy snacks that are high in calcium will benefit her teeth as well as other areas of her health. Snacks will help your child reach the recommended 500 mg a day for 1- to 3-year-olds, 800 mg of 4- to 8-year-olds and 1,300 mg of 9- to 18-year-olds.
Yogurt with Cereal
Your child's teeth depend on a sufficient amount of calcium each day for health and strength. A carton of yogurt contains about 225 mg of calcium and protein for healthy muscle and bone development. Adding just one carton of yogurt will significantly increase the amount of calcium your child consumes each day. Look for a low-sugar variety or opt for plain yogurt and sweeten with fresh fruit or berries. Amy Wilensky, author of "Knack Healthy Snacks for Kids: Recipes for Nutritious Bites at Home Or On the Go," suggests stirring in low-sugar and high-fiber cereal for a satisfying crunch as well as additional nutrients, such as iron.
Cheese Cubes with Crackers
Cheese is another notable source of calcium, which will help improve and maintain the health of your child's teeth. A 1.5-oz. serving of cheddar cheese contains about 300 mg of calcium. Served with whole-wheat crackers, the cheese will give your child a boost of calcium in her diet and some additional fiber from the crackers. Allow your child to choose her favorite type of cheese, because they are all good sources of calcium. Chop the cheese into cubes and serve five or six with the same number of whole-grain crackers. An alternative is to melt the cheese cubes onto the crackers for a satisfying snack that benefits your child's smile.
Whole-Grain Bread
Whole grain bread has benefits that go beyond the high amounts of fiber it offers your child. Jerome S. Mittelman, Jean Barilla and Beverly Mittelman note in their book, "Healthy Teeth for Kids: A Preventative Program: From Pre-Birth Through the Teens," that many white breads have added sugar, which sticks to your child's teeth and can cause cavities. Many whole-grain breads do not contain added sugar. Read the ingredient label and choose a whole grain bread that does not contain refined sugar. Spread with peanut butter or serve with sliced cheese for a healthy-teeth snack.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables should be an important part of your child's diet because they offer so many nutrients important for good health. Mittelman, Barilla and Mittelman recommend fruits and vegetables because they promote a healthy mouth, which reduces the risk of developing cavities. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots and celery, may help remove food particles from the surface of your child's teeth because they require a great deal of saliva production to chew. Offer your child some crunchy produce after a meal to help reduce how much food sticks to his teeth.
References
- Kids Health: Calcium and Your Child
- "Knack Healthy Snacks for Kids: Recipes for Nutritious Bites at Home Or On the Go"; Amy Wilensky; 2010
- "Healthy Teeth for Kids: A Preventative Program: From Pre-Birth Through the Teens"; Jerome S. Mittelman, Jean Barilla and Beverly Mittelman; 2001
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