Healthy Snacks for Busy Moms
As a busy parent, you're always on the go and it's easy to reach for any snack when you're short on time. Making sure your kids have nutritious snacks available is important for their health and development. It can help them maintain a healthy weight, improve their focus and boost their energy levels. It can also help them develop healthy eating habits to last a lifetime.
A little planning can provide your children with healthful snacks. Create a “snack station” to keep snacks on hand. Pack the station with snacks that your children enjoy and are easy to grab on the go:
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables for children over 3 or shred/dice fresh fruits and vegetables for children 12 to 36 months. Have hummus, guacamole, and Greek yogurt dip available for dipping.
- Make your own trail mix for your children 5 and older by buying a variety of popcorn, dried fruit, nuts and seeds then divide into individual servings.
- Buy tuna, chicken or peanut butter individually packaged and pair with whole grain crackers. Smear peanut butter smoothly on crackers for children 36 months to 5 years old.
- Sweeten plain yogurt cups with no-sugar added applesauce, offer cottage cheese, and hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
- Stock the refrigerator with string cheese to pair with fruits and vegetables. Cut into small pieces or use shredded or sliced cheese for children under 5.
- Popcorn is a great whole grain snack for children 5 and older. Avoid varieties with butter and salt.
- Use whole wheat bread or tortillas to make half servings of sandwiches, wraps or quesadillas for snacks on the go.
- Try bars made with whole foods, such as Larabar, KIND and Kashi, and look for less than 10 grams of sugar.
- Gerber GRADUATES Fruit & Veggie Melts or the various brands of squeezable fruit/vegetable combinations are available for toddlers.
Try these tips to provide your children with more nutritious snack options.
