Healthy Snacks for Kids of All Ages
Serving a snack that satisfies the captious palate of a finicky child while still supplying the nutrition a growing body needs can prove an impossibly onerous feat. But, no matter the difficulty, knowing what kids need to stay healthy is absolutely essential to placing the right foods on their plates.
So, what constitutes a healthy snack for growing children? As with adults, a balanced diet requires careful consideration in choosing the entire contents of each plate or snack consumed to ensure that an adequate supply of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates is included.
Most children (and adults) lack the fiber, vitamins, and minerals they need in their daily diet. An easy solution seems to be the addition of vegetables and fruits to add dietary fiber to their regular regimen of healthy living, however getting your child to actually eat these foods is another matter entirely.
How to Encourage Healthy Snacking Habits in Your Child
If you're a parent, chances are you've put something on the dinner table that your child simply would not touch. Luckily, our resident Health Nut and Registered Dietitian is a mom herself who knows these tribulations all too well. As such, she’s selected snacks and recipes that appeal to the palates of children and has shared a few tips to encourage healthy eating in your household.
Introducing your children to new foods, flavors and textures may require repetition before you find healthy options that really stick. Don’t give up on the first try and be sure to test multiple varieties of foods to find formulas that cater to your kids’ preferences. For example, we have many different types of trail mix and, though it may take several tries, our variety ensures you can find a flavor to cater to any palate.
Including your child in the process of picking healthy snacks is another way to ensure they enjoy eating healthy. Show them our selection of specially selected snacks below and let them voice their preferences before placing your order. This will help them get excited for the healthful munchies to arrive.
Once you receive your tasty treats, try keeping them in the cupboard at your kids’ eye-level so that they naturally gravitate towards these more nutritious options. Any empty calories, fatty foods, and surplus salts and sugars should be kept out of sight and out of mind. If your child’s longing for salty chips persists, we have awesome alternatives, like veggie chips and banana chips, that pack the same crunch while also offering an abundant supply of nutrients.
Lastly, get your kids excited about healthy eating by mixing up the snacks you pick. A diverse diet will keep their taste buds interested in eating right; so select a sizeable assortment to keep things exciting. For more tips on snacks that support healthy snacking for your circumstances, check out our repository of additional resources below.
Healthy Snack Recipes for Kids
Searching for a great way to get engaged with your child while simultaneously promoting a healthy lifestyle? Create these incredibly delectable, surprisingly wholesome collations with your kid for a fun and rewarding experience!
No-Bake Granola Bars Recipe {gluten-free, vegan}
A classic confection for compelling any child to consume a more wholesome treat, these granola bars offer ample nutrients, supply a terrific taste, and are extremely easy to make!
Ingredients: Gluten-free rolled oats, peanut butter, dried tart cherries, pistachios, flaxseed meal, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, agave syrup. unsweetened applesauce, melted cacao nibs or dark chocolate.
Total Time: 15 minutes
| Yield: 8 - 10 servings
No-Bake Cheesecake Bites Recipe {gluten-free}
Searching for something to satisfy that sweet tooth that offers a more modest supply of sugar? These tasty treats take the cake with a recipe that is fast and easy to make!
Ingredients: Pitted dates, almond flour, cacao powder, vanilla extract, almond milk, raw cashews, maple syrup, canned pumpkin, pumpkin spice.
Total Time: 20 minutes
| Yield: 16 - 20 squares
Blueberry Muffins Recipe
{gluten-free}
A sweet breakfast treat, these scrumptious muffins are a great way to start the day with a familiar flavor that gratifies even the fussiest of palates.
Ingredients: Coconut flour, brown rice flour, gluten-free rolled oats, egg, olive oil, vanilla extract, almond milk, coconut chips, dried blueberries, unrefined sugar, baking powder, baking soda.
Total Time: 45 minutes
| Yield: 10 muffins
Strawberry and Banana Overnight Oats Recipe
A sweet treat that takes moments to make, these overnight oats save time in the mornings with a superbly sweet breakfast treat that you can prepare the night prior.
Ingredients: Gluten-free rolled oats, chia seeds, walnuts, unsweetened shredded coconut, fresh or frozen strawberries, ripe bananas, agave or maple syrup, almond milk.
Total Time: 15 minutes
| Yield: 10 - 12 servings
Healthy Snack Suggestions for Kids
When it comes to snacking, nearly all children (ages 2 years and older) have at least one snack per day according the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Snacking can deliver important nutrients like: fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The key is choosing nutrient-rich snacks! Our Health Nut and Registered Dietitian is a mom and understands what kids love, so check out this list of healthier snacks that are particularly perfect for kids!
