Healthy + Snacks: They Really Can Go Together
Author: Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
If you have a young child, you may wonder if there are snacks they will eat outside of little orange fish-shaped crackers, graham crackers, and Cheerios.
If these are the snacks of choice, don't be disheartened. They are not so bad. However, you may be seeking to add a few alternatives. With worries about everything from artificial coloring to trans fats to chokables, it is no wonder that most of us will stick to the classics that are also easily transportable and low mess.
Ready to branch out? Need some ideas? Read on!
- Pita bread. Try with hummus. Cut pita bread into small pieces.
- Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, broccoli and/or celery (be sure to cut appropriately depending on the age of your child). Offer a little ranch dressing to dress it up. Cream cheese also works well with celery sticks.
- Hard-boiled eggs. Want to keep a toddler amused? Have them work on cracking and peeling the egg.
- Clementines. Perfect size for small hands and small mouths. Be mindful of seeds. Again, toddlers can be successful in helping to peel the skins (great for fine motor development!).
- Whole wheat crackers. Top with cream cheese or a cheese slice.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks. Pull into strings or cut into halves.
- Banana slices and strawberries. Mix in with vanilla yogurt for a "sweet treat."
- Apple slices (try with almond butter or peanut butter, once approved by your pediatrician).
- Yogurt. Jazz it up with fresh fruit or animal crackers that can be dipped.
- Grapes (remove skin and be sure they are cut in quarter slices), pear slices, or mangos.
- Cereal with milk (Cheerios are a good alternative just about any time of the day!).
- Small pretzel rods (stick with cheese cubes and/or cut-up grapes).
- Mini-bagels with cream cheese.
- Oven-roasted turkey breast rolled into a slice of cheese.
- And, of course, there are always the little orange fish-shaped crackers, graham crackers, and Cheerios!
Happy snackin'!
