By 20 Healthiest Snacks for Kids, According to Nutritionists
April 13, 2021
Children are constantly growing, which means that they are often hungry between meals. It’s easy to give in to processed snacks with added sugars and artificial ingredients, but it’s not the best. Growing children need adequate nutrients and vitamins, so choosing only the healthiest snacks is essential.
Since processed snacks are easy to have on hand and children love them, they tend to eat them too often. However, these are not the healthiest snacks. How many are healthy snacks they are also easy to maintain and are perfect for on the go.
20 healthiest snacks for kids, according to nutritionists
Once you know the healthiest snacks for kids, according to nutritionists, you can change the unhealthy ones. It’s the perfect opportunity to sneak out of some nutrients that you might otherwise miss, like the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables.
1. Tortilla chips and salsa
Tortilla chips have fiber that will fill your child up until the next meal. Pair them with a healthy sauce and you’ve got the perfect, complete snack. Some salsa options include black bean dip, salsa, guacamole, or hummus.
2. Popcorn
Skip the unhealthy toppings and popcorn is a nutritious, whole grain snack that’s perfect for the whole family. It’s high in fiber and you can change it up by adding healthy seasonings and dressings. Add some cheese, cinnamon, or a little butter to the popcorn, and it’s sure to be a hit.
However, keep in mind that popcorn poses a choking hazard to young children and babies. Experts say children should not eat popcorn up to four years.
3. Vegetables and hummus
Hummus is a healthy dressing that comes in many flavors and pairs perfectly with vegetables. Let your child choose from carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, or any other vegetables he wants. Children love to dunk their food and this will help them nourish themselves in the process.
4. Smoothies
Kids love smoothies and you can pack them full of healthy foods. Add fruits, vegetables, or protein powder, depending on your child’s needs. There are many options to choose from when it comes to smoothies, but some common ingredients include:
- Spinach
- frozen fruit
- yoghurt
- Milk
- Dear
- cinnamon
5. Cheese
Children love cheese and it is easy to understand why. It is delicious, filling and fast. Cheese contains protein and calcium, both of which are essential for growing children. In addition, it contains healthy fat and magnesium.
Cheese can help children feel full between meals and helps reduce cavities. Combine the cheese with fruits or vegetables to complete the sandwich.
6. Hard boiled eggs
Eggs are packed with nutrients, including protein and other vitamins and minerals. They help with brain development, eye health, and other things a growing child needs for proper growth.
Hard-boiled eggs are the best because you can keep a dozen on hand in the fridge for a quick and easy snack. Also, when not fried in oil or stirred in butter, eggs are among the healthiest snacks.
7. Whole Wheat English Muffin
Packed with fiber and other nutrients, this snack will fill your kids up for a while. You can toast them and put some peanut butter on top.
To make it more kid-friendly, let your child sprinkle a little cinnamon on as well. Cinnamon is a natural sweetener, and it will add a little extra flavor for your child to enjoy. Plus, they’ll be happy to help out with the seasoning, making them want to eat this healthy treat even more.
8. Pickles
Pickles are a source of vitamin K. Some pickles also contain probiotics, which contribute to digestive health. Make sure to choose sugar-free pickles, as sweets have a lot of added sugar.
9. Yogurt
This delicious snack is perfect for kids because it tastes great and contains protein and calcium. Some yogurts also contain probiotics, which help the digestive system. However, avoid yogurt that is marketed for children, as it usually contains a lot of sugar.
Choose plain yogurt and use honey or cinnamon to sweeten it. You can also add fruit or granola. If you need a dairy-free option, there are plenty available and you can still get probiotics from it.
10. Peppers
It is a common misconception that all peppers are hot. However, this is not the case, as bell peppers are sweet. They are also packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and carotenoids.
If your child likes to dunk his vegetables, bell peppers are a good option for dipping. They go great with guacamole, which is also packed with nutrients.
11. Avocado fries
You can find avocado fries in many flavors, so you are sure to find a flavor that your child will like. They are crisp, tasty, and healthy. They contain healthy fats along with other nutrients.
12. Wholemeal cookies
Not all crackers are healthy for children because many of them contain refined ingredients and added sugar. Choose the whole grain option so your children have the healthy fat and carbohydrate intake they need. Let your child spread peanut butter or other nut butter on cookies for protein.
13. Sour raisins
Raisins are healthy, but kids don’t always love the taste. However, there are now sour raisins in grocery stores. They seem more of a delicacy than regular raisins, and the flavor is sugar-free.
14. Fruit
A fruit is an easy and nutritious snack. The fruit contains fiber, potassium and vitamins, among other essential nutrients and minerals. The best part is that it is the perfect snack to have on the go.
The fruit can also be combined with other foods to complete the snack a bit more. You can use peanut butter as a sauce for apples, or eat cottage cheese with peaches or pears. Peanut butter and cottage cheese both contain protein, which makes them the perfect complement.
15. Mixed nuts
You can make a healthy trail mix for your kids to eat or take with them on the go. Use nuts (if your child is not allergic), dried fruits, and whole grains to create a healthy mix. Avoid store-bought trail mixes because most contain candy and sugar.
16. Peanut butter
Peanut butter has been mentioned as a dip or spread alongside other snacks, but it’s also great on its own. It is high in protein, giving your child a healthy and satiating option.
For a quick snack, let your child eat a large dollop of peanut butter with a spoon. You don’t have to do anything special to make this a healthy snack.
However, as mentioned above, you can use peanut butter as a vegetable dip or spread. Children may also like to mix raisins.
17. Pretzel Fries
With many flavors available, pretzel fries are a good option for kids. They are crunchy and can replace unhealthy potato chips in your child’s diet. You can also get gluten-free pretzel fries if your child has a gluten sensitivity.
18. Fruit popsicles
Kids love popsicles, so it’s the perfect snack to introduce some fruit. Stop buying store-bought popsicles that are full of added sugars, high fructose corn syrup, and other unhealthy ingredients.
You can easily make yours by mixing or pureeing fresh fruit and a little water. Pour the mixture into small plastic cups or popsicle molds and place aluminum foil on top. Next, run a popsicle stick through the foil and into the fruit puree.
Let the mixture freeze completely then take them out and let your kids enjoy them. They will consume a lot of fruit, while thinking that it is an unhealthy pleasure.
19. Brittle Brownie
This treat is a mix between brownies and peanut flakes. It’s crispy but tastes like brownie. This snack is perfect for kids because they will love it and it has no added sugar.
20. Grilled cheese
Grilled cheese is often considered the main dish of a meal, such as lunch. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to lunch, as it is quick and easy to prepare. Use whole grain bread for the sandwich to make sure it is healthy and pair it with fruits.
If you have more than one child, you can cut the sandwich in half for a snack. With grilled cheese as a snack, your child is sure to feel full until dinner time.
Final Thoughts on Trying to Serve the Healthiest Snacks for Kids
Since snacks are such an important part of your child’s diet, it is essential to choose the healthiest snacks for them. If you have healthy options on hand, they’ll have more to choose from, so it doesn’t seem like they’re missing out.
Once you start implementing some of these snack ideas, your child you will find some favorites. Before you know it, they will be excited about the healthy options you have for them. This way, you can ensure that they are getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need without excess sugar and additives.
