Usually, growing children tend to feel hungry in-between meals. However, the thing with packaged snacks is that they are generally unhealthy. In most cases, they are full of artificial ingredients, refined flour, and added sugars. Snack time is thus the ideal opportunity for you to sneak some extra nutrients into your child’s diet.
However, instead of feeding your child with processed snacks, you should give him foods, which will provide him with energy and are also rich in nutrition.
Here, we have come up with a bunch of child-friendly healthy snacks, which are delicious and healthy at the same time. Moreover, a child would not throw any tantrums in eating these snacks.
Yogurt
Nazia, a mother of two who works with TFTH,says she makes it a point to feed her children yogurt at least twice a day. It is because yogurt is not only a good source of calcium but also protein. Both calcium and protein are incredibly crucial for the overall development of the child.
However, there are certain yogurts, which have live bacteria that are healthy for the digestive system. Usually, the kids-centric yogurt that you find in the market would be high in sugar. We would instead recommend you to go for plain but full-fat yogurt and then sweeten it with natural sweeteners like honey or fresh fruits.
However, you should not feed honey to children below the age of 1. It is because the infants are at a higher risk of developing an infection called botulism with honey.
Pears with ricotta cheese
For children, pears are a sweet treat. They are also easy to eat when you slice them in pieces. Moreover, pears are a rich source of fiber and are healthy plant compounds. You can spread some ricotta cheese on each slice of the pear to add to the pears a healthy and tasty source of calcium and protein, thereby making it a nutritious option for your child’s snack time.
Popcorn
Sonya, who works with TAE and offers their top-rated do my homework service by TAE,says that she uses popcorn as the perfect in-between snack for her children. Well, popcorn truly is a great option. It is because they are nutritious whole grains, which are suitable for children.
However, popcorn will be a healthy snack only as long as you do not drown them in unhealthy toppings. Also, it is best advised to air pop your popcorn. You can undoubtedly sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or drizzle a little butter on it, and that’s about it.
However, when you give popcorn to young children, be very careful as they can be a choking hazard at times.
Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a creamy and fresh cheese that is soft enough for the young children to eat. It is a good source of protein, Vitamin B12, selenium, and calcium. Vitamin B12 is essential for proper growth as well as the development of the child. Parents can serve cottage cheese in itself as a snack or top it with some dried fruits or fresh fruits, or you can even use it as a creamy spread on whole-wheat toast.
Celery with raisins and peanut butter
Giving celery with raisins and peanut butter is undoubtedly the best way to get your child to eat their greens. Maria, a mother for a 3-year old, who works as an associate with EssayWriter4U,says that she cuts a stalk of celery in four pieces, evenly spreads peanut butter inside the celery, and then adds a few raisins on top for sweetness when she serves it as a snack to her daughter. It truly is an excellent idea that we should all try with our kids. Celery has extraordinary health benefits. They are a good source of fat, protein, and carbs. However, do ensure that you pick the peanut butter without any added sugar.
Nuts
Nuts are a source of healthy fats. They are also rich in antioxidants and fiber. Dietary fat contained in nuts facilitates the growth in children. Back in the day, doctors recommended withholding the nuts from children because of them causing allergic reactions.
However, recent studies prove that when parents introduce nuts at an early age, it reduces the risk of allergies. Nuts, too, can be a choking hazard. Thus, you need to ensure that the child can provide the nuts’ texture before you give them a snack.
Trail mix
If your child is not allergic to nuts, you can certainly give them trail mix as the perfect snack to eat on the go. Usually, the commercial trail mixes have chocolate candies in them. It makes them high in sugar.
So, it is best advised to make a trail mix at home. Anaida, an employee with TrumpLearning,says she makes the trail mix for her children with dried fruits, mixed nuts, and whole-grain cereals. You can use these ingredients too and make a healthy trail mix for your child.