Healthy Snacks for Children

Healthy Snacks for children are always needed. Children eat more or less depending on how active they are and how fast they are growing. It is natural for kids to eat a lot one day and not a lot another day.  Children learn what they live, making it vital that parents set the right example with their own food choices. If parents are routinely eating and snacking on unhealthy foods, how can children be expected to do any differently? Make sure your snacks are also your children’s snacks and visa versa.

Here are some ideas (Children love finger foods!):

Sliced apples and bananas with nut butters. For variety try almond or hazelnut butter in place of peanut butter. Slice into bite-sized pie shapes.

Air-popped popcorn or 1 cup of vegetables served with some salsa or a little low-fat salad dressing.

Organic ranch dressing mixed with equal portions of organic cottage cheese is a dip for the fresh veggies that will appeal to kids.

Grapes, cut pear, kiwi, and melon cut in cubes.

Whole grain crackers like TLC Crackers or Nut Thins.

Dry cereal eaten with your hands out of a bowl or a bowl of cereal with milk. Make sure you buy organic cereal since it is better for you, easy to find and close to the cost of non-organic cereals.

Children are often fearful of making healthy food choices when they are in with their friends. They feel they will be made fun of if they don’t eat what their friends are eating. If you help educate your child about why they should eat healthy snacks, they will be able to tell their friends why they want a piece of fruit over a piece of cake, and in some cases, can convince other children to do the same.

I hope you enjoyed these healthy snacks for children. Work with your children on making a list of good snacks and keep them on hand.