Snack Foods for Kids

 

Who says you can't play with your food—as long as you eat it too? Try increasing kids' consumption of healthy snacks by making them fun to eat. You'll get to spend some enjoyable time together, and have the chance to make good food fun to eat and make—together.

Bumps on a Log—Spread celery sticks with peanut butter. Older kids can even do this themselves. Sprinkle on a few raisins. These are great in the lunchbox or for after-school snacks. Pack the peanut butter sides together, so it won't stick to the plastic baggie.



 
Bumped-Up Bran Muffins—Prepared bran muffin mix is a great way to add some essential fiber to kids' diets. While you're at it, add some fruits and veggies too. Grated carrot, raisins, or chopped apples are good additions. They also make the muffins sweeter—in a healthy way. You can even make happy faces with the raisins. If the mix or your own recipe calls for oil, you can substitute applesauce for half of the oil. Kids will love to help mix up the batter, put the paper cups in the muffin pan, and devour these treats.
Smoothies—In a blender, the kids (with your help) can mix together a banana, some frozen strawberries, and a cup of orange or apple juice. Optional additions include wheat germ, yogurt, sherbet, and tofu (when the kids aren't looking!). You can also substitute other fruit, such as peaches, blueberries, or raspberries. This will make enough for 2 large smoothies.
Banana Face Sandwiches—Open-faced peanut butter sandwiches are more fun when they really have a face! Try sliced bananas for the eyes and halved banana slices for the mouth. A half strawberry makes a perfect nose. Add even more excitement with kiwi slices for hair.
Apple Slices Dipped In Peanut Butter—Kids love to dip things, and peanut butter is a classic favorite.
Prepared Breadsticks—Kids love to help pop open the can and arrange the breadsticks on a baking sheet. Try serving this with spaghetti sauce for a low-fat treat that's full of the healthful benefits of cooked tomatoes, and, depending on the sauce you pick, other veggies too.
 
Trail Mix—If your kids are fans of nuts, here's a great snack to try. If you don't mind them having chocolate, add the candy-coated chocolate pieces, but it's also good without them. Kids will enjoy helping choose the ingredients at the store, dumping the ingredients into the bowl, and stirring everything together. They'll also love to eat it. Choose from the following:
  • 1 can mixed nuts
  • raisins
  • sunflower seeds
  • semisweet chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces (optional)—the candy-coated chocolates are less messy if clutched in little hands.
  • dried fruit, such as bananas, apricots, apples
  • flaked coconut
Veggies and Dip—Baby carrots and kids are a perfect match. Grapes, tomatoes, sugar snap peas, celery, and broccoli are some other great choices. Try serving this with little containers of fat-free ranch dressing. It's a good idea to give your child his or her own container of dip, so you don't need to worry about double dipping.