Quick, Easy, Healthy Snacks for Kids

Snack time! It's arguably the best part of the day. It can snap a kid (or parent) back into a good mood, kick start a fun activity, give parents a well-earned break, or just fuel kids up so they can play on.

If you’re anything like me, it is so easy to get in a snack time rut. All too often I will find myself throwing a fruit snack at my hungry toddler and calling it good. While I’m okay with this occasionally, I prefer more well-rounded snacks regularly.  I also know that my kids do much better when they are properly fueled.

So while it may be a little more work than tossing a fruit pouch or granola bar at my kid, providing well-rounded, healthy snacks is worth the extra effort. And it saves us parents from hangry, over-sugared children later!

When planning out my little one's snacks, I make sure that the food I choose falls into at least one of four categories:

1. Healthy Fats
2. Protein-Rich Foods
3. Whole Grains
4. Fruits and Veggies

By sticking to these categories, I know that I can keep the kids satisfied until their next meal, and they won't suffer a sugar crash since they're eating healthy foods. 

It’s also important for me that snack time is easy. I already make three meals a day, so I don’t want snack time to feel like another meal. Below are a few ideas of quick and easy snacks. Most of these require little preparation, and they will keep your kids full, happy, and satisfied.  

• Yogurt and mixed berries
• Nuts and dried fruit medley (Make sure the nuts served are age-appropriate.)
• Cheese and whole grain crackers
• Hummus and carrot or cucumber sticks
• Peanut butter and banana toast
• Cottage cheese and a hard boiled egg
• Smoothies--a simple mixture of fruit and yogurt
• Guacamole and veggies
• Oatmeal and berries
• Apples and peanut butter
• Pretzels and fruit slices 
• Turkey slice and a cheese stick
• Avocado toast 
• Cherry tomatoes and bell pepper stick with greek yogurt
• Whole grain muffin and a clementine

When planned thoughtfully, snacks can be a parent’s secret weapon for fending off midday meltdowns. Providing balanced nutrients is the key to success! I hope I’ve given you few more healthy snack ideas that will keep your kids happy and smiling!