Healthy Snacks For Kids

As you know, children have high levels of activity and may need more calories than three meals a day provide to meet their energy needs. When snacking, children often reach for the closest food at hand. If there are healthier items in the refrigerator or on the kitchen table, your youngster will become accustomed to snacking on these foods.

The healthiest and simplest choices are fruits and raw vegetables, which require little if any preparation. Encourage your child to make healthy snacks a habit by keeping fruit and cut vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, celery, peppers, and broccoli handy.

Two snacks Maximum

Give the children one snack in the morning and one in the afternoon. Mums, don’t feel guilty if the kids complain.

Keep count

Do you best to keep an eye on the number of snacks you eat and you’re more likely to cut down - which is good for your kids.

Chop up the chocolate 

Cut up regular-sized chocolate bars and give them a little piece instead of a whole bar. They still get the taste but not nearly so much fat and sugar. Or use the mini, sweet-sized chocolates instead and just let them have one.

Thirsty instead

 If your kids ask for more snacks after you think they've had enough they may be thirsty instead of hungry. Try offering them water or low fat milk (skimmed, semi-skimmed or 1%, as long as they are aged over five) instead.

Please remember eating too much sugar can also cause tooth decay so be sure to clean your teeth twice a day and check your kids are doing the same. We also recommend that you take your children to the dentist for a routine check up every 6 months after their first birthday.