Guide to Healthy Snacks for Children

In addition to intake of main foods, we also need to provide healthy snacks for children. The number of activities of children, ranging from schooling to playing with friends, makes him need a portion of food that is able to provide adequate energy intake. Healthy snacks for children need to be prepared so as to provide enough fuel for them to undergo solid activities. Thanks to healthy snacks, energy levels and concentration can be maintained. In addition, consumption of healthy snacks for children can also provide additional nutrition to ensure the completeness of nutrition obtained by Little.

Changing Children's Habits

Generally, children like snacks that are dominated by fat, sugar and salt. To divert a child's hobby from that type of snack, parents must do it gradually. This gradual change will make it easier for the child, and also for yourself, to change their habits. The goal is so that children can feel the change without them knowing. Start by limiting your intake of snacks for children, for example to only be twice a day, one morning and one evening. Don't forget to keep an eye on the amount of snacks consumed. Children usually like chocolate that contains a lot of fat and sugar. Therefore, try not to consume too many of these snacks. Children under 10 years are not recommended to consume more than 24 grams of sugar a day. In addition to snacks, give drinks that are able to eliminate thirst, but are also healthy. You can provide mineral water or low-fat milk for both functions.

Healthy Foods For Children Like What?

If the transition made above has gone well, it's time to make the child eat real healthy snacks. Healthy snacks are not only able to meet the nutritional intake of children, but also support the growth and development of children and maintain normal weight. Make snacks that provide carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, with low sugar and salt. Foods rich in protein or fiber alone are good for children, because they can help them feel full longer. It would be better if the snacks are enriched with various nutrients that can support their growth and development. Healthy snacks for children are recommended to contain at least 100 calories. In addition to following the rules above, some of the things below can be used as a benchmark as a healthy snack for children.

• Make snacking a fun activity

An interesting form of snack for children will certainly be more interesting for them. For example, making funny faces in pudding or fruit. In addition, using new ways to consume food can also be used as a means to attract children's interests. For example, those who usually use spoons and forks, try to use chopsticks or toothpicks.

• Sweet snacks can also be healthy

To keep sweet snacks healthy, serve low-fat pudding, yogurt, or fruit. Make juice or smoothies from milk, unsweetened yogurt, and fruits.

• Keep children away from junk food

If from the beginning parents do not provide a variety of foods and snacks that are not healthy, aka junk food, then children will avoid such types of food onwards. That is, the rules of parents are very instrumental in educating children to get used to eating healthy.

• Expand the menu

Do not focus on certain types of food. There are many types of fruits and vegetables that can be used as healthy snacks for children, such as pineapple, mango, avocado, and red, or yellow bell peppers. The mixture of some fruits and vegetables may be more interesting for children to eat.

• Recommend with whole grains

Whole grains in the form of cereals and cakes, both for consumption by children. High fiber content will make children feel full longer.

So that healthy snacks for children can be used as a habit, then parents must be a good example in this case, because children will usually follow the habits of parents. Also involve the child in the process, for example by making a snack schedule together. If it is difficult to determine the choice of healthy snacks for children or children who are picky about food, you can consult a nutritionist or pediatrician to get further advice.