Planned as part of your child's day, nutritious snacks play an important part in meeting their nutritional needs. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks help to provide them with the protein, vitamins, minerals and calories their growing bodies need.

Healthy snacking tips:

Plan snacks for 1 1/2 to 2 hours before a meal - children shouldn't graze all day! They will not be hungry at dinner time.
Snacks can account for as much as 1/3 of your child's daily energy intake. Snack foods should be lower in fat, sugar and sodium. Convenience foods are much higher, so make snacks from scratch whenever possible.
Keep healthy "ready-to-eat" snack foods on hand - cut up vegies, fruit, whole wheat fig bars, yogurt, low-fat crackers, lean deli meats.
Be flexible. If your child wants a cookie, it's okay! Just not everyday.
Serve child-size portions - and to avoid choking children should always be seated when eating.

Snack Ideas - You and the kids will love!

fresh fruit slices/water
popcorn with parmesan cheese/milk (2% or skim milk) **Skim milk is not recommended for children
quesadilla (melted cheese & tortilla)/juice under 2 years of age.
fruit smoothie (frozen fruit, yogurt, juice, ice)
baked apple with raisins & cinnamon/water
bagel with tuna & vegetable spread/milk
frozen yogurt with berries/fruit juice
English Muffin with light herb cream cheese/water
toast fingers (spread peanut butter & top with crushed cereal)/milk
grapes & low-fat cheese cubes/water
muffin/milk
string cheese & bread stick/juice
fresh vegies with curry dip (recipe)/water
whole-wheat fig bar/milk
English Muffin with grated mozzarella cheese & pizza sauce/water
frozen fruit (grapes, melon balls, berries)/milk
graham crackers with PB surprise (recipe)/water
hard-boiled egg/juice
carrot-raisin salad with pineapple chunks/milk
trail mix with pretzels, nuts, whole grain cereal and plenty of dried fruits like raisins, apricots, figs or prunes.

Share your favorite snack idea!

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