Kids need healthy meals and snacks to nourish bones, muscles and a nervous system that are growing at a terrific rate. Between TV ads and peer pressure, it can be challenging to serve healthy snacks that your kids actually want. You can prepare nutritious snacks that taste good and are convenient to prepare.
Nuts
Nuts provide energy and vitamins, and trail mix can be an avenue to make sure your kids eat them. Grocery stores offer trail mix, but you and your kids may enjoy making your own. That way, you can make sure it only contains the fruit, nuts and other items that your kids actually enjoy. Mix in chocolate chips to help make lure kids away from high-calorie, high-fat, high-sodium snacks like potato chips.
Fruits
While fruit is an obvious choice when it comes to finding healthy snacks for kids, not all kids find fruits appealing on their own. Try pureeing fruits, then freezing them. Partially frozen, fruits can be eaten with a spoon as a sorbet that provides an alternative to ice cream.
Grains
Granola bars may seem a potential serving of grains, but if you check their nutrition information, you find that certain brands of granola bar are almost as unhealthy as a candy bar. Homemade popcorn, especially made in a hot-air popper, and granola can be a nutritious alternative. Instead of flavoring the popcorn with butter or oil, use toppings such as parmesan cheese, garlic powder or curry powder.
Dairy
Dairy products typically provide protein, calcium, vitamins and other nutrients. Fat-free milk beverages with chocolate or strawberry flavoring can appeal to children. Manufacturers make yogurt in flavors geared towards kids; check labels to see that they are low in fat and sugar. You can buy plain or vanilla yogurt and helping your kids mix in their favorite add-ons, such as berries, raisins or maple syrup.
Member Comments