It’s Snack Time!
What’s a parent to do when kiddos are hungry and dinner time is hours away? When it comes to hunger in our house, we don’t waste any time in finding solutions that satisfy. Here are some new ideas to help you chase away that “hangry” feeling in your household!
Smart Snacking
Keep it balanced. You can offer the healthiest snacks possible but if your kid refuses to eat it, it’s not really doing anyone any good. Striking a balance between serving healthy options and serving foods your kids will actually eat is possible. Giving a range of options can help.
Aim for variety. Don’t serve the same snacks every day. If you can plan a balance of protein, healthy carbs and some fat or fiber, that will help keep them happy and satisfied until their next meal.
Make it easy. Keep snacks within reach in easy to open containers, especially if your kids are younger or shorter. Slice or cut veggies when possible and consider keeping them easily accessible such as in the refrigerator door.
Low-To-No-Prep Snacks
Keep these easy-to-grab snacks handy for simple, healthy choices:
• Cheese sticks or cubes
• Nuts (packets are handy)
• Applesauce (cups or pouches)
• Toasted whole grain frozen waffles cut into strips and dipped in peanut butter
• Protein, nut, or granola bars
• Yogurt (greek or low-fat)
• Fresh or dried fruit
• Carrots with ranch
• Natural fruit strips
• Veggie chips or straws
• Chocolate or strawberry milk
Find A New Favorite
Spice things up and try these quick and healthy recipes!
Cinnamon Banana Cereal
1 ) Slice one banana into a cereal bowl.
2) Pour milk over bananas.
3) Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Crispy Strawberry Truffles
1 ) Roughly chop 1/2 cup dried strawberries.
2 ) Combine strawberries with 1/2 cup sunflower butter and 1 cup rice cereal in a medium size bowl.
3 ) Scoop 1 Tbsp of mixture, roll into a ball, chill truffles in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Place in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
PB & J Smoothie
1 ) Add 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 sliced banana, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1 cup milk to your blender.
2 ) Blend until smooth. If your blender struggles to process the mixture, add more liquid! Keep in mind, adding liquid will dilute the flavor slightly, so use as little as possible.
3 ) Serve right away and enjoy!