Between meals, growing children are frequently hungry. Many packaged foods for youngsters, on the other hand, are exceedingly unhealthy. They’re usually loaded with processed flour, sugar, and artificial additives. With that, Glitz has come up with this quick and helpful read on healthy snacks for kids and even a few yummy recipes!
What Are Healthy Snacks For Kids
Contents
1. Trail mix
Trail mix is a nutritious snack for youngsters to consume on the run as long as they are not sensitive to nuts. Most pre-packaged trail mixes include high-sugar chocolate chocolates, but you may simply make your own at home. Combine nuts, dried fruit, and whole-grain cereal for a healthy option.
2. Smoothies
A fruit smoothie is an excellent method to get a lot of nutrients in a little amount of time. Vegetables can also be included in a smoothie. Your child may not even notice they’re in there due to the sweetness of the fruit. Avoid fruit juice, which is heavy in sugar, and instead use whole, fresh foods.
3. Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a great snack for children since it’s high in protein and calcium. Calcium is particularly crucial for the development of children’s bones. Live bacteria are found in some yoghurts, which are beneficial to the digestive system. Most yoghurts sold to children include a lot of sugar.
Instead, go for plain, full-fat yoghurt that you can sweeten with fresh fruit or honey. However, honey should not be given to infants under the age of 12 months since they are at a higher risk of severe illness.
4. Hard-boiled eggs
Refrigerate hard-boiled eggs for a high-protein snack on the go. Eggs are a high-protein, high-nutrient food for children. They include high-quality protein as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, riboflavin, and selenium.
They also include the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are helpful to eye health. They’re also one of the greatest nutritional sources of choline, a nutrient required for normal brain development.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast option for children, as well as a tasty snack. Oats are high in soluble fibre, which boosts the number of healthy bacteria in the gut and has other health advantages. Make your breakfast using whole, rolled oats instead of flavoured packets, which are heavy in sugar. If you cook the oats with milk rather than water, you’ll get more protein and calcium.
6. Sweet potato fries
Sweet potatoes are one of the most abundant sources of beta-carotene, a substance that your body can convert into vitamin A. It aids in the maintenance of healthy eyes and skin. Sweet potato fries prepared at home are a healthy alternative to regular fries. As a result, what youngster doesn’t enjoy fries?
Healthy Snacks For Kids Recipes To Try
1. Choco-berry yoghurt strips
Lightly sweetened Greek yoghurt is studded with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips before being frozen so it can be broken into bits like chocolate bark but without guilt. This colourful snack or nutritious dessert is suitable for both children and adults.
To begin, prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. 3 cups yoghurt, 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey) In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. Make a 10-by-15-inch rectangle on the prepared baking sheet. Strawberries and chocolate chips should be strewn across the top. Freeze for at least 3 hours, or until extremely stiff and then cut/split into 32 pieces to serve.
2. Sweet potato nachos
When you replace tortilla chips with sweet potatoes in this nutritious meal, you’ll get more vitamin A and fibre. Serve as an appetiser or transform it into a supper by adding chicken, tofu, shrimp, or any other protein of your choice.
Preheat the oven at 218 degrees Celsius to begin. In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the sweet potatoes and a quarter teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring periodically, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the mixture begins to brown.
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and a sprinkle of salt. Anything goes on top of the sweet potatoes, including corn, protein, and cheese.
Continue baking for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. If desired, top with tomatoes, scallions, and avocado, then drizzle with the sour cream mixture.
With its cinnamony, buttery, delectable spin on a much-loved classic treat, this recipe takes oatmeal cookies to the next level. Preheat the oven to 176 degrees Celsius and spray a baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a sprinkle of salt.
In a large mixing basin, combine 2/3 cup sugar, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 egg, and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence. Stir in the flour mixture, oats, and raisins with a wooden spoon until everything is thoroughly incorporated. 12 cookies per batch are made by dropping level teaspoons of batter onto the preheated baking sheet.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. Rep with the rest of the batter.
4. Peanut butter and oat balls
These no-bake energy balls are held together by sweet, sticky dates. This healthful snack travels nicely and is ideal for playtimes and spontaneous playground picnics. Use Medjool dates, which are the largest and most delectable date kind, for the finest flavour and texture.
Dates should be soaked in a small dish of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes before draining. In a food processor, combine the soaked dates, 1 cup oats, and 1/4 cup peanut butter and pulse until very finely chopped. Roll into 12 balls and top with chia seeds for a crunchier finish. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes and up to one week before serving.
