Stocking your kitchen with Healthy Snacks Ideas for kids makes ensuring there is always something for growing brains and bodies to nibble on, whether they are packed in a lunchbox or convenient to grab when kids arrive home from school.
Children need much more of the essential nutrients that our bodies require daily. When selecting a healthy, balanced snack for your child, keep in mind lean sources of protein like eggs, complex carbohydrates like oats, and sources of good fats like avocados. Omega-3 DHA is a type of healthy fat that is essential for brain development, making it especially important for young children whose brains are still developing quickly and who are constantly taking in new information. Rich seafood like fish and other food supplements including yogurt, eggs, and waffles contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Stock Your Kitchen with These 10 Kid-Friendly Healthful Snacks:
1. Smoothies
Smoothies are a great choice if you want to declutter your refrigerator and freezer or spice up your snack, especially in the summer or after a sweaty game of soccer. Pick beverages with little to no added sugar. Without using additional sugar, milk or unsweetened nondairy milk adds smoothness. Add fruits, veggies, kefir, or yogurt, and a source of healthy fats to create a powerful smoothie (including chia seeds, flax, or nut butter). For added nutrition, you can also add whole grains to the mixture, such as oats or oatmeal with the added iron from the newborn section. Smoothies not only give kids a healthy fill, but they also hydrate and give them a much-needed energy boost.
2. Cheese
All ages will love the protein-packed finger snacks that string cheese and cheese cubes make! When children need these nutrients the most, cheese is a great source of protein and calcium, two essential minerals that help muscles and bones grow bigger and stronger. To make the kids feel fuller at snack time, use cheese that is full-fat or has a 2% fat content.
3. Whole-Grain Cereal
Cereal isn’t simply for breakfast, you heard right. Complex carbs from whole-grain cereals power working muscles, including the brain! Pick a cereal with added iron that has no more than 7 g of sugar per serving and some fiber (at least 3 g per serving). The first ingredient should be whole grains. Have fun with it by sprinkling cereal on top of a smoothie, incorporating it into homemade granola bars, or adding it to the trail mix. Children will adore the added crunch.
4. Hummus
Veggie sticks, whole-grain pita bread, or broccoli with hummus is a Healthy Snacks Idea to bring for people of all ages. Cruciferous plants, such as broccoli, & Multivitamins You Should Consume Every Day, and phytonutrients that fight disease. Whole-grain pita bread and vegetables give filling fiber to keep youngsters fuller for longer, while the hummus component tahini (crushed sesame seeds) offers healthful fats.
5. Freeze-Dried Produce
If eating raw fruits and veggies isn’t always an option, freeze-dried produce is a terrific alternative that doesn’t typically have extra sugar. To get your kids to consume more vegetables, dehydrated broccoli, edamame, okra, beets, and kale are excellent starter foods. Berries, blueberries, apples, bananas, peaches, and other fruits that may be frozen-dried are delicious for kids and packed with antioxidants. Are you new to frozen produce? There is a huge variety at Whole Foods, Target, and Trader Joe’s. Choose dried fruit without added sugar if you want to keep your kids regular as it is also high in fiber.
6. Whole-Grain Muffins
The best approach to guarantee a whole-grain, veggie-filled alternative that you can keep for eating all week long is to make muffins from scratch. These snacks can be made with shredded zucchini, carrots, pureed sweet potatoes, or fresh fruit to add more fiber and antioxidants. To increase the nutritional value of warm muffins even further, let kids top them with their favorite nut butter. Try these blender-able flourless whole-grain muffins.
7. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Boiling eggs will produce a protein-rich snack in a matter of minutes. Put some salt and pepper on top. Beyond protein, eggs are a great source of choline, which is essential for a healthy nervous system and muscular function, as well as brain development.
8. Nut Butter
Nut butter is a fantastic source of kid-friendly healthy fats, whether your children favor peanut, sunflower, almond, or another variety. Spread it on apple slices, add it to a smoothie, or mix it with Greek yogurt to make a delectable fruit dip.
9. Frozen Fruit Pops
Do you need a treat that the kids will enjoy? At snack time, try giving them frozen fruit pops! To minimize additional sugars, select sweets made with only fruit and fruit juices. Or simply make your own with the kids’ assistance! You may freeze yogurt squeezes from the dairy section to make a delicious, high-protein treat that kids will adore. Fruit pops keep our bodies hydrated and cool throughout the warmer months.
10. Whole-Grain Waffles
Whole-grain waffles are not just a breakfast staple; they also make a wonderful on-the-go snack. Take them out of the freezer, toast them in the toaster, then spread them with almond butter and blueberries or peanut butter and banana! For even more snack-time fun, let the youngsters pick their own toppings and customize their waffles. Look for whole grains listed first (after water) in the ingredient list for a nutritious frozen waffle. Additionally, pick products that have no more than 200 calories, 4 grams of sugar, 350 mg of salt, and 3 grams of fiber per serving of 2 waffles.