10 Essentials for Snack Time
When the kids are hungry, will you be ready? These basics make snack time stress-free.
by Paul Rogers
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 11.2%
Peanut butter 22.9%
Fruit 52.9%
Cookies 8.1%
Other (share your ideas in the Comments section below) 5.0%
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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.
8 comments so far...
| Sit down & eat with your grandkids....in a sheet tent or in the backyard. Be silly & have fun...they won't even know their eating healthy snacks!
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| Peanut butter may be a great snack - but make sure your grandchild
does not have any peanut allergies!!!!!!! Mine does - and we must
be very carefuly.
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| child friendly utensils like a sippy cup or plastic glasses that a child's hand can fit around. Childsize spoons and unbreakable plates are essential. Always check with parents before you offer anything! The child may be allergic. Healthy snacks can be fun too. My mom used to have little cans of apple juice for the grandkids and my kids liked them better than all the soda pop that the other grandma served in plastic glasses.
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| My grandchildren love home made, microwave popcorn with PAM spray butter. It keeps the fat content down and they can each have the exact flavor that they want.
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| My grandchildren are always happy with cheese.. some like sticks, some like mini-rounds. some like squares, most like cheddar. It's a great, nutritious and portable snack.
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