Healthy snacks for kids
My mom has always said, if you want your kids to eat fruits and vegetables put them out on the counter where they can see them. A little advertising from mother to child.
She would keep the cookies in a cupboard in the far back corner of the kitchen, out of sight out of mind kind of thing. My dad actually put a lock on the cookie cupboard so we couldn’t get into it even if they were still on the mind. Even though my brother always seemed to find a way to get it open, I think we did eat more produce when it was on display.
Today with my own kids, I try to keep a bowl of fruit on the counter. I also prep my veggies as soon as I get home from the grocery store. I wash and cut the ends off of the carrots and celery and put them in a plastic zip bag in the fridge. If they aren’t prepped the kids will pass them by when searching the fridge for a snack. I prep all my smoothie stuff too, so I can just throw it into the blender in the morning.
I can understand why some people discourage snacking between meals. I use to be one of them. But we have recently discovered low blood sugar problems in our family and have found snacking to be a life saver for some and good for us all. It’s easier to get kids to do homework when there is a snack plate in front of them.
As a general rule for snacks we try to have a protein item with a produce item.
Whole grain tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole
Kefir and sliced banana
Raw veggies and cream cheese
Apples and peanut butter
Celery and string cheese
Whole grain crackers and dried fruit
Homemade fruit leather or fruit snacks
Mozzarella cheese circles on sliced tomatoes and basil leaves
Boiled egg and raisons
Salmon dip with veggies (mix 8oz cream cheese and a can of salmon in processor)
Raw food bars (Costco has a box of the premium brand)
Yogurt covered nuts and raisons (great for Easter baskets too)
Peaches and cottage cheese
Whole grain popcorn
Smoothies
Trail mix
Homemade bread and butter
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