28 healthy snacks your kids will love

Babies often feel hungry between meals.

However, many packaged snacks are very unhealthy for children. They are often packed with fine flour, added sugar and synthetic ingredients.

Breakfast is a great way to add some extra nutrients to your baby's diet.

Instead of processed snack foods, fill your baby's stomach with whole foods that provide energy and nutrition.

Here is a list of snacks suitable for healthy and delicious children.

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is a great snack for children as it is a good source of protein and calcium. Calcium is especially important for the developing bones of children.

Some types of yogurt also contain live bacteria, which are beneficial to the digestive system.

Most yogurt sold to children is high in sugar. Instead, choose plain, full-fat yogurt and sweeten it with a drop of fresh fruit or honey.

However, be sure not to give honey to children under 12 months of age, as they are at higher risk of developing a serious infection called food poisoning.

2. Popcorn

Popcorn may be considered fast food, but it is really a whole grain nutritious food.

Unless you're addicted to unhealthy toppings, popcorn can be a healthy snack for kids. Air your popcorn and sprinkle a little butter on it and sprinkle with Permian cheese on top.

However, be careful when offering popcorn to young children, as it can be a risk factor for suffocation.

3. Celery with peanut butter and raisins

Celery with peanut butter and raisins, sometimes called "stump ants", is a fun way to feed your baby vegetables.

Cut a stalk of celery into three or four pieces, spread the peanut butter inside the celery, and put some raisins on top of the peanut butter.

Together, these three foods provide a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Be sure to buy peanut butter without sugar or vegetable oil only.

4. Nuts

Nuts are rich in healthy fats with fiber and antioxidants. Dietary fats are important for the development of children.

Doctors have suggested that nuts be withheld from children because of the risk of allergic reactions, but recent evidence suggests that using nuts at an early age reduces this risk.

However, nuts can pose a risk of suffocation, so make sure your child can handle the texture of the nuts before serving them as breakfast.

5. Trail Mix

Unless your child is allergic to nuts, Trail Mix is ​​a healthy snack for kids to eat on the go.

Most commercial trail mixes contain candy chocolate, which is high in sugar, but you can easily make it yourself at home.

For a healthier version, mix nuts, nuts, and whole grains into breakfast cereals.

6. Pear pieces with ricotta cheese

Pears are a delicious dessert that is easy to eat when cut into slices. Pears are rich in fiber and beneficial plant compounds (10, 11).

Spread each slice with ricotta cheese to add a delicious source of protein and calcium to your child's breakfast.

7. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is a fresh, creamy cheese that is soft enough for children to eat.

It is rich in protein and is a good source of selenium, vitamin B12 and calcium. Vitamin B12 is important for proper brain development and growth in children.

You can serve the cottage cheese yourself, cover it with fresh or dried fruit, or use it as cream cheese over whole wheat toast.

8. porridge

Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast for kids, but it also makes a great breakfast.

Oats are high in soluble fiber which, among other health benefits, increases the number of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.

Avoid high sugar flavored packages and make porridge from rolled whole oats. Add about 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and a few cubes of apples for sweetness.

If you make your porridge with milk instead of water, it will add some extra protein and calcium.

9. Cheese

Cheese is made up mostly of protein and fat and is a good source of calcium.

Studies show that eating cheese and other dairy products is associated with improved overall food quality.

Whole-fat dairy products play an important role in meeting the baby's nutritional needs for calcium, magnesium and vitamins A and D.

Cheese provides children with high quality protein, which is essential for proper development. Protein will also help them fill their stomachs between meals.

In addition, some studies show that babies who eat cheese are less likely to develop cavities.

10. Wagon beaten pocket

Some parents find it difficult to feed their children vegetables. But if you make it fun for them, they're more likely to try vegetables.

Spread some hummus in the whole wheat gourd pocket and chop raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers. Let your child pick a few vegetables and fill the pot.

Vegetables are full of important vitamins and minerals, and many children do not eat enough of them.

11. Fruit juice

Fruit juice is a great way to pack a lot of nutrients into a small breakfast.

You can also add vegetables to the juice. With the sweetness of the fruit, your child may not even realize it is there.

Use whole, fresh ingredients and avoid fruit juices that are high in sugar.

There are endless combinations that you can try, but here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Berry juice

4 servings ingredients:

2 cups (60 grams) fresh spinach

2 cups (300 grams) frozen berries

1 cup (240 ml) plain yogurt

1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or almond milk

1 tablespoon (20 grams) honey

Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.

12. Boiled eggs

Refrigerate hard-boiled eggs for instant protein-rich treats.

Eggs are very nutritious and a great breakfast for kids. They provide high quality protein and many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, riboflavin and selenium.

They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that are good for eye health.

In addition, it is one of the best sources of choline, a vitamin that is essential for proper brain development.

13. Banana and oat biscuits

Homemade banana cookies are a healthy breakfast for children that taste like candy.

These cookies derive their sweetness from mashed bananas instead of refined sugar.

Better sugar is associated with health problems in children, such as heart disease, childhood obesity, and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Banana and oat biscuits

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup (80 ml) coconut oil

2 cups (160 grams) rolled oats

* Cup (80-90 grams) mini chocolate chips or dried fruit

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Place tablespoons of the cookie mixture on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 ° F (175 ° C) for 15-20 minutes.

14. Light raisin cans

Raisins are dried grapes. They contain almost all of the nutrients found in fresh grapes - but in smaller packages.

Raisins contain the right amount of iron, a nutrient that many children do not get enough of, and which is needed to carry oxygen throughout the body.

In addition, raisins pack plant compounds, including oleanolic acid, which can protect your baby's teeth from cavities by preventing them from sticking to bacteria.

Raisin breakfast packets are a portable and healthy snack compared to most convenience foods.

15. Throw in turkey and avocado.

Turkey and avocado rolls are a healthy and easy to eat breakfast.

Turkey is a good source of protein, which is responsible for building and repairing the tissues in your body. They are also full of satiety, which helps children to feel satisfied between meals (19).

Avocados are rich in heart-healthy fats as well as fiber, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, many antioxidants, and vitamins C and K (35).

Peel a squash, grate it and slice the avocado. Toss the slices lightly in the lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Wrap a piece of turkey around each avocado slice.

16. Baked french fries

Sweet potatoes are one of the richest sources of beta carotene, a nutrient that can convert your body into vitamin A. Contributes to eye and skin health.

Home baked french fries are a dietary alternative to french fries.

Sweet potato fries

Ingredients:

1 fresh sweet potato

1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil

Sea salt

Peel a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. Fry the potatoes in olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake on a cookie sheet at 425 ° F (220 ° C) for 20 minutes.

17. Pickles

Pickles are cucumbers that are fermented in salt and water.

They are a good source of vitamin K, and some products also contain probiotic bacteria, which are good for the digestive system.

Pickles with vinegar do not contain probiotics, so check out pickles with live cultures in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

Avoid sweet pickles that are high in sugar.

18. Cabbage Chips

Bananas are considered a superfood, as they are nutritious but low in calories.

Kale is considered a superfood, as it is packed with nutrients but low in calories. In fact, kids can get all the vitamin A, C, and K they need in a day in just one cup (65 grams) of kale.

Although most kids won't take the chance of eating these raw green leaves, cabbage chips are a delicious snack that may change your child's mind.

turnip chips

Ingredients:

1 small bunch of turnip

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cut the cabbage into pieces, wash and dry it well. Put it in olive oil and spices. Spread it on a cookie sheet and bake at 175°C for 10-12 minutes. Watch the oven carefully, as the turnip can burn quickly.

19. Carrot and chickpea sticks

Most kids love to dip, and providing them with a healthy dip is a great way to get them to eat their veggies.

Hummus is one option. It's a thick, creamy mixture made with chickpeas, which contains fiber, folic acid, and plenty of antioxidants.

Chickpeas are delicious paired with shredded carrots or other raw vegetables.

20. Energy Balls

Energy Balls taste like cookie dough but are made with whole, nutritious ingredients.

You can make these snacks with either ground flax or whole chia seeds — whether they're a source of fiber, protein or antioxidants.

It's a healthy alternative to commercial granola bars, which are usually high in sugar and artificial ingredients.

energy balls

Ingredients:

1 cup (80 grams) of oats

1/3 cup (115 grams) of unfiltered honey

½ cup (125 grams) of almond butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseeds (55 grams) or whole chia seeds (110 grams).

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla

½ cup (80 grams) of dried fruit

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Roll the mixture into small balls and place in the refrigerator. For a treat, replace the dried fruit with chopped dark chocolate chips.

21. Paprika and Guacamole

Sweet peppers are natural and highly nutritious. They provide a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and carotenoids (39).

Carotenoids are plant compounds that have multiple health benefits, including supporting eye health (25).

Sweet chili flakes dipped in guacamole, a creamy, creamy mashed avocado.

22. Whole Grain Crackers and Nut Butter

You can make your own sandwich cookies by spreading a little nut butter, such as almond butter, on a whole-grain cookie. This snack contains a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

However, choose crackers for your kids carefully. Many crackers are filled with refined flour, hydrogenated oils, and even sugar.

Instead, opt for crackers that are made with 100 percent whole grains and seeds.

23. A piece of fruit

A piece of fruit is a healthy snack for kids.

Most fruits contain fiber and important nutrients such as potassium, vitamins A and C.

Bananas, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and peaches are examples of fruits that can be used as snacks.

Cut fruits like pineapple, cantaloupe, and mango into bite-size pieces and store in small containers for convenient snacks.

24. Peanut Butter and Banana Quesadilla

Quesadillas made with peanut butter and bananas are healthy and delicious.

Peanut butter is a great way to give your child a source of healthy fats and some protein.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber (41).

This simple recipe combines peanut butter and bananas into a delicious snack.

Peanut Butter and Banana Quesadilla

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat tortilla

2 tablespoons (30 grams) of peanut butter

1/2 banana

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Spread the peanut butter on the whole tortilla. Cut the bananas into slices and arrange the slices on half of the tortilla. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the banana and fold the tortilla in half. Cut it into triangles before serving.

25. Olive

Olives are rich in healthy fats and full of powerful antioxidants that protect your body from damaging molecules called free radicals (42).

Olives are soft and easy for children to eat. Make sure to buy the de-pitted ones for kids or remove the pit before serving them.

The different varieties have their own flavour. If you haven't introduced olives to your child before, start with mild-flavored black olives.

26. Dip Apple and Peanut Butter

Apple slices and peanut butter are a delicious combination.

Apple peel contains pectin, a soluble fiber that nourishes friendly gut bacteria and improves digestive health (43, 44).

Peanut butter has a thick texture, and it can be difficult for children to use as a dip.

Mix a little bit of full-fat yogurt with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of peanut butter to make a smooth, creamy dip for the apple slices.

27. Frozen Fruit Popsicles

Frozen fruit popsicles are a delicious treat for kids and totally healthy.

Most store-bought lollipops are filled with artificial flavors and refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

But you can easily make your own, and your kids might enjoy helping out.

Puree the frozen fruit or berries and a small amount of fruit juice in a blender. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds or small plastic cups. Cover with foil and insert the lollipop stick into the lollipops through the foil. Freeze overnight.

28. Half a sandwich

Sandwiches should not be just for food. Half a sandwich can be a healthy breakfast for children.

To make a healthy sandwich, start with whole wheat bread, choose a source of protein, and add fruits or vegetables if possible.

Here are some examples of healthy sandwich combinations:

Cheddar cheese and thin slices of apple

Mozzarella cheese and tomato pieces

Peanut butter and banana pieces

Turkey, Swiss cheese and pickles

Ricotta cheese mixed with finely chopped vegetables.

Boiled eggs, avocado and tomatoes

Cream cheese and cucumber slices

Bottom line

Many children feel hungry between meals.

A healthy breakfast can energize your children and help them get the nutrients they need every day.

Give your children whole, unprocessed foods instead of pre-packaged breakfast meals.