It is often challenging to find a nutritious snack that will not bore your children. If snack time has become a chore, there are ways to turn healthy ingredients into something interesting and exciting. Start with your children's favorite foods and serve them in different ways or use them to introduce new flavors and tastes.
Pizza Pretzels
Soft pretzels made with whole wheat flour are a nutritious snack that supplies heart-healthy fiber. Served plain, soft pretzels may get a bit boring, but you can add some healthy ingredients to change the taste and give your children a snack that is more exciting. Prepare the soft pretzels according to the package directions, leaving off the included salt. Sprinkle with part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese and reheat until the cheese melts. Serve with low-sodium pizza sauce for dipping.
Yogurt Pops
If your children enjoy the taste of yogurt, you can serve this food in a new way by layering it with fruit and putting it in freezer molds. Allow each child to choose his favorite flavor of yogurt. Look for low-sugar varieties to keep this snack as nutritious as possible. Fill each mold about one-third of the way with yogurt. Add chopped fruit, such as strawberries, kiwis, grapes or blueberries, and fill almost to the top with more yogurt. Insert a stick or a large pretzel rod and freeze until firm, but not completely solid. This snack is fun to eat and also supplies calcium, protein and vitamin C.
Pancake Sandwiches
If you have several pancakes left over from breakfast, you can turn them into interesting snacks for your children. Place several pancakes on your work surface and spread with peanut butter. Top with sliced bananas and a drizzle of honey. Top with another pancake and cut in half to serve. This snack supplies protein, potassium and fiber. Another filling idea is reduced-fat cream cheese, sliced strawberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon, which will supply calcium and vitamin C.
Tortilla Rolls
A whole wheat tortilla is a nutritious beginning to a healthy snack that supplies several grams of fiber. Choose your children's favorite ingredients to roll into a tortilla and slice into small rings for serving. Peanut butter and peach slices will supply protein and vitamin C. Reduced-fat cream cheese with shredded carrots and chopped cucumber provides calcium and vitamin A. Cottage cheese, pineapple and cinnamon is a sweet snack that does not have added sugar and also supplies calcium and vitamin C.
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