Toddlers and children usually need a morning snack and an afternoon snack. Snacking is natural for children, because their metabolism is faster than adults, and because they don’t consume as much food in one setting as adults do. As a parent, you want to make sure you are giving them healthy food options. Therefore, what are some good snacking options to feed your children? Here are some options.
Snacking Options for Children
Fresh fruits and veggies are always a great choice. They have a lot of crunchy fiber, which is great for keeping kids full. Also, fiber acts like natural toothbrushes to help clean your child’s teeth. You can pair the crunchy fruits and veggies with dips. For example, carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are great dipped in hummus. Apples are amazing when dipped in peanut butter, and you can pair fresh berries with yogurt. You also can’t go wrong with a smoothie.
Nuts are great as well. They contain fiber and vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, and vitamin E. They are also very filling.
Cottage cheese and yogurt. They are both high in vitamin D and calcium, which growing bones and teeth need. Be sure that the yogurt you choose doesn’t have a lot of sugar in it. Your child can also try low-sugar cereal and milk as well for extra calcium and vitamin D.
Meat and cheese in a roll. You can even add a low-carb tortilla for a tortilla roll-up. You can chop up the roll to make a finger-friendly child snack.
Cheese cubes. Not only is cheese full of calcium, protein, and vitamin D, but chewing cheese produces extra saliva that washes away harmful bacteria from your teeth and gums.
By introducing healthy snacks to your child’s diet early, you are setting them up for a lifetime of healthy eating, as well as healthy teeth and gums.
