Having nutritious, delicious and fun snacks available for kids is a great way to make sure they are eating healthy! Check out these quick tips to try with your hungry kids.
- Include fruits and veggies – Make it a rule that all snacks include either one fruit or vegetable.
- Try:
- Slicing apples with cheese slices
- Ants on a Log (celery with peanut/almond butter with raisins)
- Slicing fruit with low fat plain yogurt
- Slicing fresh peppers or cucumbers with hummus
- Convenience – Kids will reach for fruits and vegetables that are readily available
- Try:
- Keeping fruits and vegetables at eye level in the refrigerator
- Keeping a fruit bowl that can be easily reached
- Keep it fun! Create healthy snacks with your kids in a fun and engaging way to keep your kids excited to eat!
- Try:
- Highlighting a fruit or vegetable of the month.
- At the grocery store, have your child pick a fruit or vegetable based on color, shape, size, etc. and create a recipe around that produce!
- Making teddy bear toast (pictured)
- Spread peanut/almond butter on a slice of whole wheat toast. Add two slices of banana at the top for ears and a slice in the middle for a snout. Add two blueberries, grapes or raisins for eyes and one for a nose.
- Writing messages or draw funny faces with a toothpick on a banana peel
- Finding a local Farmer’s Market to check out fresh produce
- Highlighting a fruit or vegetable of the month.
- Try:
- Try:
- Try:
Photo Credit: Elyse Burgher- JSY Nutrition Educator, Food Bank of Western New York