Snacking is a major pastime of many children and that's not necessarily bad. Nutritious snacking can help your child curb hunger pangs throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients. Use these tips to start a habit of healthy snacking!
Your child won't clamor for cookies, candy bars or chips if you don't keep them on hand. Set a good example by choosing healthy snacks yourself.
Whole-grain foods - such as whole-grain cereals provide energy with some staying power.
Serve baby carrots or other raw veggies with ranch dressing. Dip cracker sticks or fresh fruit in yoghurt. Spread peanut butter on celery, apples or bananas.
Serve breakfast foods - such as scrambled eggs and whole-grain toast - as healthy snacks for children in the afternoon.
Healthy snacks for children don't have to be bland. To satisfy your child's sweet tooth, offer pudding, frozen yoghurt or frozen fruit bars. Make smoothies with milk, yoghurt, and fresh or frozen fruit.
Use a cookie cutter to make shapes out of cheese slices and whole-grain bread. Make fruit kebabs or show your child how to eat diced fruit with chopsticks. Make funny faces on a plate using different types of fruit.
Keep a selection of ready-to-eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole-grain cereal and fruit canned or packaged in its own juice in an easily accessible cabinet.