Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

Children are often looking for a snack to have in between meals.  Make sure that your child picks healthy foods for their snacks instead of chips, cookies and candies.  Try these tips for keeping healthy snacks on hand for your child:
 

1.     Keep healthy foods within reach.  Have foods on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator that your child can quickly grab and go.  Putting different foods like veggies with low-fat dip or hummus, fruits, low-fat cheese sticks, and low-fat yogurt in a “snack box” that your child can grab on their own.

2.     Have ready to eat fruit on the table where the child can see it.  When kids see the fruit, they are more like to eat the fruit for a snack.  Have ready to eat fruits like apples, oranges, peaches, and pears available for your child to eat.

3.     Plan snacks ahead of time.  Let your kids decide what healthy snacks that they would like.  Take them to the grocery store with you and let them pick a few of the snacks that they want for the upcoming week.  Encourage kids to choose 2-3 fruits and veggies that might be great snacks.

Fruits and veggies are great for snacks for your family.  What other snacks might be great to keep at home?  Here is a list of our favorite healthy snacks!  

• Popcorn. Made with little or no added salt and butter.  Popcorn is a whole grain and can be made quickly.
• Trail mix.   Make a trail mix with whole grain cereal, dried fruits, and nuts.  Try our Healthy Trail Mix for a great snack!
• Popsicles.  Popsicles can be made ahead of time so kids can easily grab from the freezer.  Just add any fresh or frozen fruit you have at home like blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, kiwi, and/or peaches with 100% fruit juice and freeze. 
• Salsa.  Make your own salsa and serve with whole grain chips.  Salsa can be a sweet or savory treat.  Try MyPlate Salsa  or Mango Salsa.

Create your own healthy snack.  Kids love to have fun in the kitchen and creating a “masterpiece” with food.  Try to create a picture with foods like Insect Infested Log, Veggie Bagel Smiles and Garden on a Plate.