By Alexandra Pettit, AZFB Communications Intern
Snacking can be a risky game when it comes to your kids. Finding healthy snacks that they want to eat can be a battle in itself. They want the sugar filled, empty carb snacks that are advertised everywhere. As a mom, you know they are not good for them to have each day.
This can be a daily battle for many parents, but it can also be easier than you think. Making healthy snacks can be time-consuming but it can also be a fun activity to involve the kids in especially during the summer. Some they might even be able to make themselves.
When thinking about snacks for the kids think of things that will sustain them for a long time vs eating a bag of chips and being hungry an hour later. Snacks that will sustain them for a long time are foods high in protein.
- Nuts, a variety
- Boiled Eggs
- Peanut Butter
- Yogurt
These snacks are sure to keep them full until their next meal. Along with these options, there are many more snacks that are high in protein that they may prefer over the ones listed above. There are also many different variations of these snacks…
- Peanut butter and apples
- Peanut butter and banana
- Squeeze yogurt
- Yogurt and granola/yogurt and fruit
- Fun boiled egg animals (Include carrots as the legs and feet)
Along with this, there are some healthy snack substations. If your child is craving a snack that might not be the best option you can make them a healthier version.
Snack they want:
- Cookies
- Chips
- Candy bar
- Fruit snacks
- Nachos
- Ice cream
Healthy Alternatives for these snacks:
- Healthy No Bake cookies
- Baked sweet potato chips or Zucchini chips
- Dark Chocolate covered banana Bites (Add peanut butter for added flavor)
- Homemade fruit roll-ups/ homemade fruit snacks
- Fruit smoothies
- Fruit salad
Although these snacks are not the same as junk food, in the long run, they are a more sustainable snack to get the kids to their next meal.
Check out Fill your plate Pinterest account and Fill your plate blog for more fun snack ideas for kids.