Getting children to eat healthy food is a challenge that leaves many parents scratching their heads. Most kids need more than three meals per day to maintain energy, process what they learn in school and have healthy bodies. Unfortunately, many snack foods are unhealthy and may lead to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Find ways to serve up healthy snacks that they'll enjoy.
Fruit Snacks
Fruit has natural sugar, and it's sweet, so most children like it. Pack whole fruit, unsweetened prepared fruit cups and dried fruit, such as raisins, pineapple or apricots. Pack fruit salads in small, reusable plastic containers that can be kept cool in a thermal lunch bag.
Vegetable Snacks
Bag up some of the child's favorite vegetables. Raw carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, zucchini slices and snap peas are easy to pack in thermal lunch bags. Add a small container of something to dip it in, and he will like it even more. Some healthy dip ideas include yogurt, low fat ranch dressing, hummus, peanut butter and salsa. Some children might enjoy a dipping sauce that they can help make. Mix peanut butter with a few drops of honey, soy sauce and sesame oil for a unique flavor that will make snacking even more fun.
Wrap Snacks
Wrap cheese, turkey, chicken, beef or whatever form of protein your child will eat in a whole wheat tortilla or flat bread. Provide a small amount of yogurt to spread on the tortilla or bread. Add lettuce, tomatoes and other vegetables for crunch. Your child will enjoy this snack even more if you pack each ingredient separately and let her create her own wraps.
Trail Mix Snacks
Most children enjoy snacking on trail mix. Add a combination of his favorite fortified whole grain cereal with dried fruit, nuts, seeds and crackers. Encourage him to help mix the ingredients he'll enjoy, and he's more likely to eat it. Put the trail mix in a small, reusable plastic container that he can bring home and refill for the next day.
Dairy Snacks
Many children like string cheese. Look for the low-fat variety and include a few wrapped whole wheat crackers. Other low fat cheeses also come in individually wrapped, single serving sizes. Another dairy snack kids might like is low-fat yogurt with sugar-free preserves to mix with it.
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