With kids returning to school for the new year, parents often worry about the kinds of snacks they’ll eat throughout the day. Many children appease their hunger with junk foods they can get their hands on such as candy, chips, and sodas. These foods are loaded with excessive sugars and salts and are highly processed.
Thankfully, there are many healthy snack options for kids to munch on throughout their day. By opting for nutritious foods, children are able to better focus on their education throughout the day and avoid unwanted sugar crashes, fatigue, and upset stomachs.
So what are some great healthy snacks for kids going back to school? Keep reading to learn more!
Carrots
Carrots are highly nutritious and excellent foods for incorporating into your child’s snack repertoire. They can be eaten with nutritious dips such as hummus, peanut butter, or a healthy homemade ranch dressing. Carrots can also be baked into delicious and healthy chips for kids to munch on instead of highly processed and fried chips.
Carrots are a low-calorie food and full of fiber that improves digestive health. They also provide essential vitamins such as vitamins A, K, and C that help the body function properly. The beta-carotene found in carrots may also have anti-cancer benefits and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Dates
When trying to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth, it can seem challenging to find healthy options. Fortunately, dates are a great way to give them a sweet treat that is also packed with nutrients that help them grow.
In fact, dates can boost energy levels and provide essential iron, fiber, and antioxidants. They are also anti-inflammatory and possess anti-tumor properties. Coconut date balls are easy to make and very popular snack options for parents around the world. Click here to find a recipe that you can use to make them at home.
Fruit
Providing healthy snacks to kids doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple piece of fruit can give them a healthy source of energy while also sneaking in important nutrients they need for healthy development. Keep a variety of fruits at home and alternate them to introduce different flavors and nutrients to your child.
Some excellent fruit options include apples, pears, bananas, pineapple, and mango. Cut up fruit and pack them into small containers to make it easy for your child to access and consume fruits during the day.
Cheese
Introducing different types of cheese to your child can be a great way to keep their bellies satisfied and full of essential nutrients. In fact, cheese is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fat-soluble vitamins.
Try giving your child a mix of cheese and vegetables to keep calorie consumption balanced. You can offer them hard cheeses or even a dip that incorporates cheese into its ingredients. Introduce them to different kinds of cheese to expand their palates such as Gouda, Swiss, Sharp Cheddar, and Brie.
Oats
Oats make a wonderful snack and can be used in a variety of delicious ways that kids enjoy. They are some of the healthiest grains you can find and are filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Regular consumption of oats can help with weight loss, blood sugar balance, and heart health.
Offer your kids homemade oatmeal with either rolled or steel-cut oats and add in some nut butter, fruit, or honey for flavoring. You can also make banana oatmeal cookies that are naturally sweetened and help keep your child feel full until their next meal.
Conclusion
As you can see there are many healthy snack options for kids going back to school. Try to incorporate fruits into your child’s daily diet to add important nutrients they need. Carrots are a versatile vegetable that can be paired with other healthy foods such as cheese, hummus, or peanut butter.
Oats are another excellent food that helps kids feel full until their next meal while offering many essential vitamins and nutrients. Keep a variety of healthy snacks on hand and your child will soon start to appreciate healthy tastes and textures!