Snacks are important for your children, as it gives them the energy to finish the day and keep them running strong until dinner. When your children are small, they are limited to the healthy foods they are allowed or willing to eat. Beginning at about age 4, your child will be able to eat new foods and be more open to trying new things.
Roll-Ups
Chicken, turkey or ham roll-ups are a huge hit with kids, especially if you allow them to help you make the snack. They are easy to make and require almost no preparation. Place a small piece of low-fat cheese on top of your favorite roasted lunch meat and roll it up, adding a small smear of mustard. If your kids aren't overly fond of lunch meat, you can also spread some light cream cheese or natural peanut butter inside of a whole-wheat soft tortilla.
Fruit
It's hard to find a child that isn't drawn to the natural, sweet flavors that fruit provides. A child should be eating approximately 1 1/2 cups of fruit on daily. Choose fruits that appeal to children, such as grapes, strawberries, bananas or apples. Fruits such as kiwi and cantaloupe, while delicious, are often not appealing to children because they look a bit different. If you have trouble getting your child to eat fruit, try serving it with some plain, low-fat yogurt for dipping. During the summer, you can place some grapes in your freezer for a cool, refreshing snack.
Cheese
Cheese provides your children with a calcium source and it goes with many foods that your kids already enjoy. Grilled cheese sandwiches using whole-wheat bread, low-fat cheese and no butter are a healthier option, as is individual servings of string cheese. If serving grilled cheese, use nonstick cooking spray in place of the butter. You can also slice up cheddar cheese and serve it with apple slices.
Fruit Shakes
If your child refuses to eat anything healthy, regardless of what it is, try making her a fruit shake. Children think of shakes as an unhealthy treat and usually won't think twice when presented with the opportunity to have one. Put some berries and a banana in a blender with some low-fat milk and a little fruit juice and blend it until liquefied. To add more calcium and protein, you can add some low-fat plain yogurt. The yogurt also thickens the shake and gives it the consistency of a shake made with ice cream.
Member Comments