Stock up on treats that are both healthy and fun to eat, advises Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, and whenever possible, plan snacks that kids can help make themselves, to get them to see how much fun cooking can be.
Cereal. Think raisin bran, shredded wheat, and other unprocessed cereals that are high in fiber and nutrients, and low in added sugar and candy flavoring.
Yogurt. Plain or mixed with fruit, nuts (or — shhh — M&Ms), it's a great source of protein and the base for yummy and filling fruit smoothies.
Cut-up veggies and fruit. Bring portable, vitamin-rich snacks such as carrots, grapes, and berries with you when you go on an outing.
Peanut butter. PB is a fine source of protein and energy. Combine with celery and raisins to make "ants on a log."
Tortillas. Keep some whole-wheat tortillas on hand for easy-to-handle meals that will feel restaurant-special, like scrambled-eggs-cheese-and-black-bean breakfast burritos, lunchtime quesadillas, or dinnertime chicken wraps.
| What's the best essential for snack time with the kids? |
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Cereal 10.1%
Peanut butter 23.9%
Fruit 54.3%
Cookies 7.1%
Other (share your ideas in the Comments section below) 4.7%
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Oatmeal cookies. Make a batch with the grandkids and let them decorate the cookies with raisins.
Mini-pizzas. On mini-bagels or English muffins, mini-pizzas will get kids excited about helping you "cook."
Bendy straws. They make any drink more enjoyable.
Popcorn. Fun to make, fun to eat, healthy (if not drenched in butter), and high in fiber.
Whole wheat crackers. Seek low-salt varieties to give cheese or peanut-butter snacks a satisfying crunch.
Also: Discover the 10 essentials for fun, and the 10 essentials for safety.
Elsewhere on Grandparents.com, get tips for finding healthy meals wherever you go, and find great ideas for preparing a picnic with your grandchildren.
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