Healthy Snacking for Kiddos- Tips & Grocery Lists

Establishing healthy eating habits for our children early in life provides them the foundation for a healthy life. Children should be eating the colors of the rainbow at every meal. Check out these tips and shopping list to make nutrition a priority in your household!

HEALTHY SNACKING TIPS

1. Keep fruit and veggies in plain sight in the refrigerator at the child’s eye level. Pre-washed and cut fruit and veggies are a great promoter of healthy snacking.
2. Include a fruit and/or vegetable in every meal or snack occurance.
3. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store first as that is usually where fresh, non-packaged items are located.
4. Eat as a family whenever possible. Trying out vegetarian options over meat-based recipes is a great way to sneak in fruits and veggies.
5. Avoid having high-calorie foods such as chips, cookies and candy bars in your home.

FOODS TO KEEP IN YOUR HOME (Recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics):  

• FRESH FRUITS
  • Apples, bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears
  • Cherries, grapes, plums (seedless or pitted)
  • Orange and grapefruit wedges
  • Strawberries and other berries (cut into half for small children)
• DRIED FRUITS
  • Apples, apricots, peaches, mango  and pears (cut into pieces for small children)
  • Dates, prunes
  • Raisins, cranberries
• VEGETABLES
  • Carrot sticks or celery sticks
  • Raw or steamed cauliflower or broccoli
  • Bell pepper strips- red, yellow, orange or green
  • Grape and cherry tomatoes
  • Fresh or frozen corn and peas
  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Avocado pieces or slices
• LEAN PROTIENS
  • Fish (canned tuna or salmon)
  • Peanut butter or other nut butters. Great to spread on whole grain bread or crackers.
  • Edamame beans or hummus spreads
  • Hard-boiled eggs
• DAIRY PRODUCTS
  • Cheese cubes
  • Cottage cheese
  • Low-sugar yogurt
  • Milk-non dairy or cows milk
• BREADS & CEREALS
  • Whole wheat bead
  • Whole grain tortillas or tortilla chips
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Whole grain dry cereals
  • Rice Cakes
  • Whole grain pita bagels
  • Air-popped popcorn

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