Healthful snack options for kids

Friday, March 26, 2010
A few days ago I posted here about sub-standard school nutrition and the need for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. In light of that post, I wanted to offer some healthy snack suggestions that are perfect for kids and equally suitable for adults too.
FRUIT
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup mashed bananas or berries with low-fat plain yogurt
1 baked apple sprinkled with cinnamon
one  8-ounce fruit smoothie
1/2 cup dried raisins, craisins or apricots*

VEGGIES
1/2 cup sliced red peppers, baby carrots or cucumbers served with low-fat ranch dressing for dipping*
1 small sweet potato topped with 1 tbl. butter blend
1/4 cup mashed or sliced avocado served with baked tortilla chips
1/4 cup tomato sauce with 1/2 whole-wheat penne pasta

PROTEIN
3 thin turkey slices
3 tablespoons of hummus on 1 slice of whole-grain bread or 1/2 whole-grain English muffin
2 tablespoons of peanut butter spread on 1/2 an apple, sliced
2 tablespoons of peanut butter spread on 1/2 whole-grain English muffin sprinkled with flax seeds

DAIRY
one 8-ounce glass of 1% milk (whole milk for children under 2)
1/3 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, sliced
1 cup low-fat fruit yogurt
1 cup milk shake made with low-fat or fat free frozen yogurt
1 part-skim mozzarella stick

WHOLE GRAINS
1 cup whole-grain pretzels*
3 cups air-popped popcorn, lightly salted (if needed)*
1 slice whole-wheat toast lightly spread with peanut butter
1 slice whole-grain cinnamon toast, lightly spread with butter blend
1 cup whole-grain cereal, such as Cheerios or Wheat Chex

* Do not give to children under 3 due to the risk of choking.

2 comments

The Mommyologist said...

I SO need to get my son to eat healthier snacks. He is the PICKIEST kid ever!! Drives me crazy!

yonca said...

Great ideas! I'm glad my son loves fruit and veggies. At least some of them:))Have a great weekend!
I'm officially following now:)