Preschoolers are so active, it’s no wonder they get hungry between meals and need a snack. They need to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein foods to fuel their movement, growth, and development.
That’s can be easier said than done. Preschoolers can be picky at mealtimes. They may push away their vegetables and choose to eat only favorite foods. Kids may be missing out on important nutrients, like calcium, fiber, and protein. Healthy and well-timed snacks can help fill in these nutritional gaps.
Ensuring your child gets the right nutrition during childcare is crucial for their growth and development. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids in Childcare, offering a mix of tasty treats and valuable insights to make snack time both enjoyable and nourishing.
Exploring Nutritious Options
Dip and Enjoy
Enhance the snacking experience with dips. Hummus, yogurt-based dips, or guacamole can make veggies more appealing and enjoyable for your little ones.
Fun with Fruit
Create a fruity feast with a mix of berries, pineapple chunks, and melon balls. Make snack time fun by arranging these colorful fruits into a vibrant fruit salad.
Mini Sandwiches
Craft mini sandwiches with whole-grain bread and fillings like lean turkey, cheese, and fresh veggies. These bite-sized delights are easy to handle and a hit among kids.
Celery with Peanut Butter and Raisons
Celery with peanut butter and raisins, sometimes called “ants on a log,” is a fun way to get your child to eat a vegetable.
Cut a stalk of celery into three or four pieces, spread peanut butter inside the celery, and arrange a few raisins on top of the peanut butter.
These three foods combined provide a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat. Just be sure to buy peanut butter without added sugar or vegetable oils.
Trail Mix
As long as your child is not allergic to nuts, trail mix is a healthy snack for kids to eat on the go.
Most commercial trail mixes contain chocolate candies, which are high in sugar, but you can easily make your own at home.
For a healthier version, mix nuts, dried fruit, and a whole-grain cereal.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast for kids but also makes a great snack. Oats are high in soluble fiber, which increases the number Trusted Source of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, along with other health benefits.
Skip flavored packets, which are high in sugar, and make your oatmeal with whole, rolled oats. Add about 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and some diced apples for sweetness.
If you make the oatmeal with milk instead of water, it will add some additional protein and calcium.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator for a quick, high protein treat.
Eggs are highly nutritious Trusted Source and an excellent snack for kids. Among the many health benefits of eggs are high quality protein and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, riboflavin, and selenium.
They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that are beneficial for eye health. Furthermore, they’re one of the best food sources of choline, a vitamin that’s necessary for proper brain development.
Make Healthy Snacking a Habit
Preschoolers will ask for what they know is in the cabinet. So stock up on healthy snacks and avoid snacks that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Here are some tips to help turn your preschooler into a smart snacker:
- Keep healthy snacks in your refrigerator or pantry. Let kids choose their own snacks from a couple of healthy options.
- Make sweets, chips, and other treats the exception rather than the rule. An occasional treat is fine, but serve healthy snacks most of the time.
- Have a schedule for meals and snacks. Kids who graze throughout the day may not notice when they are hungry or full and are more likely to overeat. And if they choose not to eat, they will know they have another chance at the next scheduled time.
- Serve snacks and meals at the table. Don’t let kids eat in front of the TV or other screens.
- Let your preschooler help prepare healthy snacks with you. They may be more willing to try something new if they helped make it.
- Be a role model and share a healthy snack with your child.