New Delhi: Snacking is the favourite pass time for most of us and when it comes to children, any time can be snack time. It is possible to make sure that your children’s snack time supports their total daily nutrition by choosing whole foods or packaged meals made from them. Children require a lot of protein, carbohydrates, and fat for energy as well as minerals and the full complement of vitamins for healthy immunity and normal cellular development and function.
Here are some snacking options for your kids so that the meal is tasty and also packed with a lot of nutrients at the same time.
1. Fresh fruits: Sliced apples, grapes, berries, oranges, melon cubes, or banana slices are all nutritious and convenient snacks packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.
2. Sweet Potato Fries: To make homemade sweet potato fries, slice up a sweet potato and place the sticks in the air fryer or on a baking sheet in the oven. Kids adore fries, and these are brimming with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants like beta-carotene.
3. Yoghurt: Protein, calcium, and microorganisms that promote intestinal health can all be found in yoghurt, which makes it a good snacking option for kids, Choose plain or Greek yoghurt, and for more flavour, add natural sweeteners like honey or fresh fruit to it.
4. Whole grain crackers: Choose whole grain or multigrain crackers that offer fibre and complex carbohydrates. Pair them with hummus, guacamole, or nut butter for added protein and healthy fats.
5. Homemade trail mix: Create a custom trail mix using a combination of unsalted nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or cashews), seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower seeds), and dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, or apricots). This snack provides protein, healthy fats, and energy.
6. Cheese cubes or string cheese: Cheese is a good source of calcium, protein and fat. According to studies, consuming cheese and other dairy products improves the overall quality of the diet. Additionally, cheese gives kids the high-quality protein they need for healthy growth.
7. Hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and healthy fats. They are portable and easy to prepare in advance for a quick snack.
8. Whole grain toast or rice cakes: A slice of whole grain bread or rice cakes with nut butter, mashed avocado, or a thin layer of cream cheese on top is good enough to go for a snack. Additionally, this combo also includes some protein, healthy fats, and fibre.
9. Smoothies: Blend together a mix of fruits, vegetables, and yoghurt or milk for a refreshing and nutritious snack. You can add spinach, kale, berries, bananas, and a dash of honey for sweetness.
10. Popcorn: Although many classify popcorn as junk food, the truth is that it actually contains healthy whole grains. Popcorn may be a nutritious treat for youngsters as long as you don’t cover it with bad toppings. Make your own air-fried popcorn, add a little butter, and top with grated Parmesan cheese.