Family time for the morning snacks

Growing kids often get hungry between meals.

However, many packaged snacks for kids are extremely unhealthy. They’re often full of refined flour, added sugars, and artificial ingredients.

Snack time is a great opportunity to sneak some extra nutrients into your child’s diet.

Instead of highly processed snack foods, fill your child’s tummy with whole foods that will provide energy and nutrition.

Healthy snacks to keep in pantry/fridge:

• Fruits: Keeping applesauce, mixed fruit, or whole fruit such as peaches, pears, bananas, or apples on hand, allows your child to have healthy options, but also gives them the opportunity to try new fruit.
• Low-Fat Dairy options: Keep a container of cottage cheese in the fridge to snack on with some fruit. It pairs nicely with pineapple. Other good dairy foods – yogurt, a glass of milk, or low-fat string cheeses.
• Hard-boiled eggs also make a great easy snack. Prepare them ahead of time on a Saturday or Sunday evening and then you will have enough for the week! Just remember moderation- aim for no more than 7 whole eggs per week per person.
• Make homemade trail mix using a variety of whole grain cereals, dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, and/or granola. Make it fun – let the kids help measure and mix!
• Keep whole grain crackers and graham crackers on hand. These are great to combine with other snack foods such as a slice of low-fat cheese or dipping in hummus or peanut butter.
• Hummus is a great source of protein because it is made out of beans. Try dipping fresh vegetables such as snap peas, carrots, or celery in hummus for a tasty snack!
• Mix plain yogurt and peanut butter to make a delicious dip that everyone will love. Dip apples, celery, or other fruit into your yogurt/peanut butter mixture.