Quick and Easy Snack Ideas for Kids

Here are a few quick, easy, and healthy snack suggestions:

• Fresh fruit. Nothing's better than fresh fruit: It's colorful, sweet and juicy, packed with vitamins and minerals, and full of fiber. Serve sliced apple, orange sections, half a sliced banana, or a small bowl of sliced grapes, or give your child a handful of mixed berries. Toddlers love finger food, making this an easy and fun way to enjoy a nutritious snack.
• Dips. Your child is learning to feed himself so let him mix and dip his favorite foods.  You might be surprised at the combinations your young one is willing to try — let him explore and have fun. Give him a couple of wedges of whole wheat pita bread paired with a tablespoon or two of hummus. Strawberries and apple slices go well with creamy yogurt, and whole grain pretzels taste great with a variety of sweet and savory mustards.
• Mini-pizza. Toast half a whole wheat English muffin and spread about a tablespoon of marinara sauce on it. Add a tablespoon of shredded cheese and broil in the oven until the cheese melts. (It only takes a minute.)
• Parfait party. Layer a small bowl or dessert glass with one-third cup of vanilla yogurt, one-quarter cup of chopped fruit, a few berries, or banana slices. Sprinkle a little granola on the top.
• Mini-quesadilla. Sprinkle half a small corn tortilla with a tablespoon of shredded cheese and microwave for 20 seconds. Fold in half and cut into small pieces. Serve with a small bowl of mild salsa for dipping.
• Mini-waffles. Toast half a frozen whole grain waffle and top with a spoonful of yogurt and some fresh fruit.
• Vegetables. Get your toddler in the habit of snacking on vegetables. Fresh veggies like cooked, chopped carrots or green beans, roasted kale and (thinly sliced) sweet potato "chips," and steamed broccoli or cauliflower are nutritious treats.
• Frozen fruit bars. The best of these frozen treats contain chunks of real fruit. You can buy them in the store or make them yourself with 100 percent juice and chopped, fresh fruit. Try orange, pineapple, peach, and banana, to name a few. They're a great summer refresher (and especially fun for your child to help you make).
• Fruit juice. Make sure it's 100 percent fruit juice with no added sugar, and limit your child to no more than three-quarters of a cup daily. For a healthy, balanced snack, try a small glass of juice and a couple of whole grain crackers with a tablespoon of cream cheese or a thin layer of smooth peanut butter.
• Fruit shakes. Throw half a banana, one-quarter cup of milk, and a handful of berries in your blender, and you've got a nutritious shake. You can add yogurt for more flavor, protein, and calcium. For the best consistency, use frozen fruit.
• Orange Freeze. Blend half a peeled orange with a cup of ice in an electric blender. Adjust the flavor with a little sweetener.

  

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  My four boys playing some basketball :)