Healthy Snack Ideas

Most toddlers love to snack

Indeed, for some parents it feels like their children do nothing but snack. This is normal. But even if your toddler eats well at meal-times, you will find that snacks are still an important part of their day and indeed they should be.

Snacks can fill nutritional gaps, provide energy for a busy bod, make up for unsuccessful meals and let’s face it, keep the little monkeys busy for five minutes while you have your own meal!

It is a rare parent who leaves their home with a toddler for more than half an hour without packing something to eat whilst on the go. And if you are attending any kind of playgroup or activity, there is usually a scheduled break in which to refuel.

Be prepared, take more than you think you will need and remember that tissues and wipes (or a wet cloth) are always a good idea where toddlers and food are concerned. It’s a good idea, also, to stick to familiar foods when out and about; best to keep experiments with variety to the safety of your own home!

So what to bring?

There are plenty of packaged convenience snacks on the market and so you would rarely be stuck with nothing if anywhere near a supermarket, but for better nutrition, as well as value for money, home-made is always going to win. Another reason for this is that snacks should, ideally, not stray too far from what your child would normally eat at meal-times. The odd packet of crunchy, shop-bought goodies is not going to do too much damage, but given on a regular basis your toddler could develop an aversion to “real” food. Ideally, it is best to let this type of shop-bought snack remain unsampled for as long as you can while your child develops his foody repertoire and while you remain in control of it.

Home-made doesn’t have to mean hours of preparation. Keep it simple, healthy, easy to eat (and non-sticky if possible!) and snacks will be a valuable addition to your child’s diet.

Good snacks provide carbohydrate, protein, fibre and healthy fats. Generally speaking, protein and fibre-rich foods help kids stay fuller for longer.
Depending on your child’s age and developmental stage, some good snack ideas are:

• Squares of pre-toasted bread, pita-bread triangles, bagels (all minimum crumb factor)
• Lightly steamed or blanched veggies – carrots, green beans, broccoli etc.  Or raw if your child is older.
• A small tub of hummous or bean dip to go with the veggie sticks keeps toddlers busy, but does increase the mess factor.
• Peas and corn (good fun for tiny fingers!)
• A box separated into compartments to hold various small goodies – blueberries, whole-wheat cereal, dried fruit, chopped grapes etc
• Sticks or cubes of cheese
• Wholegrain crackers
• Fruit. Bananas are nature’s ultimate fast food.

So keep it simple, fun and healthy. Good snacks are a piece of cake.

If you have any questions regarding nutrition, or need help with a picky eater, why not book a private consultation with health visitor Conchita Amende. She’s our resident expert.

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