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Healthy snacks for kids: 10 child-friendly tips
Healthy snacks for kids don't have to be dull. Consider 10 tips for quick-and-healthy snacks.
By Mayo Clinic staffSnacking is a major pastime for many kids — and that's not necessarily bad. Nutritious snacking can help your child curb hunger throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients. Find out how to make healthy snacks for kids.
No. 1: Keep junk food out of the house
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.
No. 2: Go for the grain
Whole-grain foods — such as whole-grain pretzels or tortillas and high-fiber, whole-grain cereals — provide energy with some staying power.
No. 3: Mix and match
Serve baby carrots or other raw veggies with fat-free ranch dressing or hummus. Dip graham cracker sticks or fresh fruit in fat-free yogurt. Spread peanut butter on celery, apples or bananas.
No. 4: Broaden the menu
Offer out-of-the-usual fare, such as pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, mangoes, tangelos or roasted soy nuts.
No. 5: Revisit breakfast
Serve breakfast foods — such as scrambled eggs and whole-grain toast — as healthy snacks for kids in the afternoon.
Next page(1 of 2)
- What's to eat? Healthy foods for hungry children. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=5733. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Eat right: 25 healthy snacks for kids. American Dietetic Association. http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=206. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Shop smart — Get the facts on food labels. American Dietetic Association. http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=206. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Smart fruit and veggie snacks. American Dietetic Association. http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6749. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Jordan AB, et al. Reducing children's television-viewing time: A qualitative study of parents and their children. Pediatrics. 2006;118:e1303.
- Shelov SP, et al. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2009:305.
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