Creating Healthy Snacking Habits

Oct17

Around the same time every day, kids come home mid-afternoon and head to the kitchen with a growling stomach looking for something to snack on until dinner time. After school snacking is a daily routine in most households and can be the perfect time to make sure kids are getting their recommended nutrients and an opportunity to instill healthy snacking habits.

So what’s a good snack to serve your energetic kids? The best snacks combine foods from different food groups. Including items from different food groups helps kids get the most nutrients and vitamins from their snacks, which are essential for optimal growth, development and energy.

The food groups are:

  • Fruit and Vegetables: provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients that help the body stay healthy.
  • Dairy: foods such as low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurts are excellent sources of calcium which help build strong bones and teeth.
  • Grains: whole grains are important sources of many nutrients including fiber, B vitamins, and minerals.
  • Protein: protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds help build, maintain, and repair tissues in the body.

Creating healthy snacks is also a perfect time for some kitchen fun. Kids can help prepare the snacks. Below are some fun, healthy snacks that your kids will be excited to prepare and eat:

Veggie Pizza Face

Kiwi Rice Cake Teddy Bear Snack

Pizza Mummies

For more information or to schedule a class, contact Mary Agnew, nutrition education manager, at (512) 684-2501 or email choices@centraltexasfoodbank.org.