Snacks give kids important nutrients and help control hunger between meals.
Try these healthy snack ideas.
- “Ants on a log” (celery with peanut butter and raisins)
- Fresh or canned fruit (canned in 100% juice, not syrup) with fat-free or low-fat yogurt
- Whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese
- Vegetable “matchsticks” (thin sticks made from fresh carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers)
- Whole-wheat bread or apple slices with peanut butter
- Quesadillas (low-fat cheese melted in a whole-wheat tortilla)
- Unsalted pretzels or air-popped popcorn
- Baked (not fried) tortilla chips and salsa
- Whole-wheat pita bread with hummus (dip made with chick peas)
Put fresh fruit in a bowl that’s easy to reach in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. This will make it easier for kids to grab a healthy snack.
Snack healthy on the go.
- Take unsalted nuts and unsweetened dried fruits, fresh vegetables, or fresh fruit in small baggies.
- Pack low-fat string cheese sticks.
Set the rules.
- Teach your kids to ask before they help themselves to snacks.
- Eat snacks at the table or in the kitchen, not in front of the TV.
- Serve snacks in a bowl. Don’t let kids snack directly out of the bag or box.
- Drink water, milk (fat-free or low-fat), or 100% fruit juice instead of soda or fruit-flavored drinks.
