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7 delicious and nutritional snacks for kids

7 delicious and nutritional snacks for kids

Feeling frequent bouts of hunger is not unusual for kids. In fact, it’s quite normal for children in their developing years to feel hungry frequently. However, extreme hunger can lead children to reach out for processed foods, most of which are filled with artificial ingredients, added sugars, and refined flour. These foods have empty calories and no nutritional value. Here are some nutrition-rich kid snacks you can make for your kid without any hassles:

Celery with peanut butter and raisins
Also known as “ants on a log,” celery with raisins and peanut butter can prove to be a fun way to make your child have a vegetable. Chop a twig of celery into three or four pieces. Take some peanut butter and spread it evenly inside the hollow part of the celery. After that, put some raisins on the peanut butter. The three foods combined in this recipe can offer an excellent balance of nutrients like protein, fat, and carbs. However, ensure that the peanut butter you use is not loaded with added sugars or vegetable oils.

Nuts
Nuts are notable for their high-fiber content, along with healthy fats and antioxidants. To support your child’s growth, it is essential to provide them with sufficient dietary fats. Earlier, health professionals used to withhold the prescription of nuts to prevent allergic reactions. However, they have now studied that introducing nuts at an early age has many benefits. Nevertheless, make sure that your child develops a habit of chewing properly before offering them nuts as a snack, as it is a choking hazard.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is popularly considered a healthy breakfast. However, very few know it can also serve as an excellent snack. With a high-soluble fiber content, oats make great food for the digestive tract, as they increase the number of good bacteria and deliver other health benefits. However, make sure to avoid the flavored packets, as they tend to be loaded with added sugars. Also, the oatmeal should be prepared with whole, rolled oats. Add some dice apples and one-eighth teaspoon of cinnamon. You can further enhance the nutritional benefits by substituting water with milk.

Veggie pita pockets
Vegetables are loaded with various significant minerals and vitamins. However, most parents find it challenging to make their children eat vegetables. Introducing a fun twist can solve your problem in no time. Take a whole-wheat pita pocket and spread some hummus inside it. Slice up some raw vegetables like cucumbers, lettuce, bell peppers, and carrots. Allow your kid to take up some veggies and fill them in the pita.

Banana oat cookies
The various benefits of fruits are no hidden secret, and when they are combined with healthy foods like oats, your child is bound to receive the necessary nutrients during snack time. However, the specialty of homemade oat cookies is that they are not only healthy but also delicious.

Besides, their sweetness is derived from mashed bananas instead of refined sugars. According to studies, refined sugars are closely related to potential health issues in children. These include childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and risks of heart disease. The principal ingredients required to prepare banana oat cookies include:

  • Three mashed ripe bananas
  • One-third cup or 80 ml of coconut oil
  • Two cups or 160 grams of rolled oats
  • Half cup or 80 to 90 grams of dried fruit or mini chocolate chips
  • One teaspoon or 5ml of vanilla

Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Take spoonfuls of cookie blend and place them on a greased sheet. Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes at 175°C or 350°F.

Baked sweet potato fries
Sweet potatoes are specifically notable for their high beta-carotene content. This nutrient is transformed into Vitamin A, popularly considered essential for healthy skin and eyes. So, instead of offering unhealthy french fries to your child, you can give them some healthy and tasty homemade baked sweet potatoes as snacks. Gather the following ingredients to make sweet potato fries:

  • One fresh sweet potato
  • One teaspoon or 5 ml of olive oil
  • Sea salt

Peel the sweet potato and slice it into several pieces. Then, lightly brush some olive oil on the sweet potato and season it with sea salt. Bake the potatoes on a cookie sheet for 20 minutes at 425°F.

Pickles
Cucumbers fermented in water and salt are referred to as pickles. They are noteworthy for being a rich source of Vitamin K. Besides, specific products may also contain good bacteria, which are essential for good gut health. However, ensure that the pickle you purchase does not have vinegar. Such pickles do not contain probiotics. To get healthy pickles with live cultures, go through the refrigerated sections of the grocery store. Also, avoid pickles that are sweet in taste, as they are often loaded with added sugars.

Children always want fun delicacies during their snack times, which is why they reach for unhealthy packaged foods like chips, nuggets, nachos, and cookies. However, using the fun kid snack ideas mentioned above, you can prevent your child from having harmful foods and instead intake nutrients in their meal regime.

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