Kids need healthy snacks to fuel their active lifestyles. Easy-to-make options include yogurt, fruit, and granola bars. Homemade treats like soft pretzels and muffins are great for special occasions. Snack trays and mixes are perfect for sharing with friends. Encouraging healthy snacking habits can lead to a lifetime of good nutrition.
Children are almost always hungry. Because they’re always on the go, they burn off their meal calories in just a couple of hours. Having healthy snacks on hand can keep them from reaching for chips and soda when they need a quick bite.
There are hundreds of healthy snack options for kids. The best snacks are the ones that are easy to make and edible on the go. Some ideas that don’t require prep are yogurt pots or tubes, boxes of raisins, fruit snacks, and granola bars. Applesauce cups are another great snack. These healthy snacks are quite affordable and great for kids with a bit of a sweet tooth. Many of these options also have low-fat or low-sugar varieties.
Most healthy snacks are easy to make. A classic idea is ants on a log. This is made by spreading peanut butter on celery sticks, then sprinkling with raisins. Cream cheese can also be used. Peanut Butter Banana Sandwiches are packed with important nutrients and taste great. Sliced vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and celery, served with a low-fat salsa are another healthy idea. Fresh fruit, sliced or whole, is a delicious snack idea.
Homemade snacks are great for special treats on days when there is more free time. For those who love to cook, there are healthy snacks that are easy to make and very popular with children. One is soft pretzels. Another idea is muffins, such as zucchini, carrot or squash, with oatmeal mixed into the batter. For the non-bakers, mix up some juice and make popsicles. Smoothies are also easy to prepare and are great for hot summer days.
Snack trays, filled with a little bit of everything, are great for when kids have friends over. Simply pack the plate and let the kids help themselves to their own healthy snacks, with something for everyone. An idea for the dish are crackers and cheese, possibly served with some peppers. Graham crackers topped with peanut butter could also go on the plate. This is another great place for sliced fruit and vegetables too.
Snack mixes are perfect healthy snacks for kids who are reluctant to give up snacking on chips. Track mix is a great option. Mix dry cereal with nuts, pretzels and cheese crackers. Some chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows and raisins are also good. Serve them in individual portions, great to take away. Popcorn, placed in a popcorn machine, is a healthy alternative to bagged popcorn. While it’s easy to flavor popcorn with store-bought mixes, it’s also tasty plain.
It’s important to have healthy snacks available for kids that aren’t always made up of empty calories. Teaching children the benefits of making smart food choices when they’re young can lead to a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Snacks are an easy way to round out the nutritional needs of the day.
Healthy snacks should be stored in an area that children can easily reach, while unhealthy choices should be stored in less accessible areas. This will encourage kids to reach for healthy options first. By encouraging healthy snacking, parents can provide their children with the nutrients and knowledge needed for healthy living.
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