What are some good snack ideas for kids?
This is one of the most frequent questions I am asked as a child nutritionist. And it’s a big reason I wrote the book, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Healthy Snacking.
Did you know that approximately 28% of the total daily calories and 39% of added sugar in your child’s diet comes from snacks? it’s no wonder parents are looking for new, healthy snack ideas.
Benefits of Having a Snack Ideas for Kids
We all tend to gravitate to the same old regulars like Chips, crackers, cookies, maybe the occasional apple when it comes to snacks and snacking …
A 2013 New York Times article described the addictive nature of junk food, which is one of the reasons for repetitive snacking.
it would be helpful to brainstorm some kid snack ideas you can use in your home.
Having a snack list allows your child to see he doesn’t have to go for chips, cookies and crackers all the time.
He can see the possibilities for yummy, nutritious snacks and look forward to snacks throughout the week.
A Snack List Increases Snack Food Variety, the more snack ideas you have, the more snack food options you can offer.
More variety increases the likelihood of more nutrition, not to mention widening the flavor palate, you give your child a choice, Parents and children can review a healthy snack list and decide together which snacks to serve for the week.
A child can simply circle the snacks that sound interesting and good to eat. Toddlers and active older children need snacks to hold them over between meals. Ideally, snacks should satisfy hunger and have loads of nutrients, after all, your child is growing!
Create new snacks with your child’s favorite foods by following the same easy food group pattern.
This list of preschool snack ideas has an assortment of healthy ideas that you can use individually or mix and match to pack a more substantial snack because some kids are hungrier than others in the afternoon.
- Dry cereal and dried cherries
- Oat-O’s, peanuts, and carob chips
- Shredded wheat, low fat milk, blueberries
- Layered yogurt, granola, strawberries
- Apple and cheese slices
- Banana dipped in peanut butter
- Strawberries dipped in strawberry cream cheese
- Baked potato with shredded cheese and salsa
- Air popped popcorn
- Toast with butter and jam
- Toast with nut butter and banana
- Coconut yogurt and mini chocolate chips
- Nuts and dried fruit
- A cup of chicken noodle soup and crackers
- Tomato and cottage cheese
- Oatmeal cookies and milk
- 100% Orange Juice popsicle
- Half of a sandwich and a glass of 100% fruit juice
- Cheese and crackers
- Peanut butter and pretzels
- Homemade trail mix (cereal, nuts, dried fruit)
- Tuna fish salad and crackers
- Chicken salad and green grapes
Have your child run through these snack ideas and circle the ones that seem enticing to him.
Include some of these on your grocery list and in your weekly plan for food.
Keep a rotation of nutritious snacks in your weekly meal plan and add a few new ones now and then.
Healthy Snacks Help Kids Reach Their Nutritional Needs, filling snacks for kids can be part of a healthy diet.
Growing children need a lot of energy and nutrients but you don’t have to rely on meals alone to meet your child’s nutrition needs.
Try some of these high nutrient snacks to round out your child’s daily diet so they have the energy and focus they need to thrive in school and in play.