Many diet experts are against snacking as part of your daily routine. However, when it comes to children, three meals and two snacks at scheduled times can have many health benefits. These include providing energy all day long for activities, ensuring they get nutrients necessary for growth and development, and helping to avoid junk-food jags.
Children are more likely to overeat or choose nutrition-poor foods when they skip meals and are too hungry. Here are some ideas for quick snacks for children while they are on the go this summer:
- Low-fat cereal bars
- Granola bars
- Non-frosted toaster tarts
- Dried fruits (apple rings, apricots, raisins)
- Rice cakes or flavored mini-rice cakes
- Baby carrots (you can add a low-fat dip)
- Seedless grapes
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Graham crackers
- Peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, or fruit spreads sandwiched between whole grain crackers
Finally, be sure to make snacking fun for your kids!
