For a growing child, it is important that they get enough nutrients to grow and remain healthy. Kids love to have potato fries and Cola when they are hungry, but not only do these lack any nutrients, but they are also really bad for them. At the same time, serving the little ones a bowl of celery and hummus as a snack just because it is ‘healthy’ is not the best option. Kids want their food to taste good, and look good. Given below is a list of healthy snacks for children that are not only loaded with nutrients, but also packed with flavor!
1. Fruit Ice Pops
All the store-brought fruit popsicles have no health benefits; they are loaded with artificial flavoring, preservatives and sugar. Making these homemade fruit pops are so healthy, and don’t compromise on taste!
Ingredients:
• ½ cup sliced strawberries
• ½ cup sliced banana
• ¼ cup yoghurt
• 1/3 cup spinach or kale
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Directions:
Combine everything in a blender, along with ice. Pour into Popsicle molds, insert sticks and freeze for 2-3 hours before serving.
2. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
This is a lovely alternative to the fried potato chips that kids cannot stay away from! Potatoes aren’t rich in nutrients, and fried food is not good for health. A good alternative to the popular fries are these baked sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes are extremely nutritious vegetables that are high in fiber and vitamins A, C, E and B6.
Ingredients:
• 4 small sweet potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Cut the sweet potatoes into one-inch wedges. Place them on a lined baking tray and drizzle the olive oil over it. Top the potatoes with the salt, before baking it in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Season the potatoes with more salt, before serving it with some ketchup or a healthy homemade dip.
3. Healthy PB & J Sandwich
Kids love a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Who can blame then? The salty peanut butter and the strawberry jam, sandwiched between two slices of bread, is the perfect combination to get your kids super excited! However, this combination is also extremely unhealthy. That being said, we cannot deprive our kids from eating it or it would crush their little hearts! Instead, here is a super healthy alternative that still manages to retain the taste of the original PB & J Sandwich. Also, its good to recommended protein powders for children.
Ingredients:
• 2 slices of whole wheat bread/multi grain bread
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Strawberry Preserve ( that have chunks of fruit in them and less sugar)
• 1 Tbsp Organic Peanut butter/ homemade peanut butter
Directions:
Spread the peanut butter and jam on both slices and put them together. Enjoy!
4. Rainbow Kabobs
Children love eating food that looks good. Serving them a whole apple or banana every day will probably bore them. These rainbow kabobs are so pretty to hold, and are packed with nutrients from different fruits like strawberries, oranges, mangoes, grapes, kiwi and pineapple!
Ingredients:
• Fruits cut into chunks (Strawberries, Oranges, Mango, Grapes, Kiwi and Pineapple)
• Skewers
Directions:
Arrange one chunk at a time on the skewer until you have one piece of each fruit on a skewer. Feel free to use other fruits like bananas and blueberries too!
5. Rice Cake Treat
Not only is this snack healthy, it is also extremely delicious, leaving your kid wanting for more!
Ingredients:
• Rice Cakes
• Nut Butter (Organic Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, etc.)
• Blueberries
Directions:
Spread some nut butter on the rice cakes before topping it with fresh blueberries.
6. Jelly cubes
This is the perfect alternative to the store-brought jelly that the kids love, which are loaded with sugar and artificial flavoring! These homemade jelly cubes are so easy to make, and are made using fresh fruit juice. No reason to worry about what your little ones are eating anymore!
Ingredients:
• Homemade strawberry/grapes juice –2 cup
• Unflavored Gelatin – 2 packets
• Honey/ Stevia/ Maple Syrup – 1 tbsp
Directions:
Pour ½ cup of the juice in a bowl and add the unflavored gelatin to it. Boil the remaining juice and pour it over the mixture of juice and gelatin. While stirring, add the honey/ stevia/ maple syrup to give it the perfect sweetness. Pour the mixture into a square container and chill until firm (4 or 5 hours). Cut the jelly into cubes before serving.
7. Mid-day Ice cream
Ice creams are every little child’s favorite! However, store brought ice creams use artificial flavors and a lot of sugar, which are not good for the kids! Instead of depriving your children of their favorite dessert, why not serve them this healthy delicious alternative instead? This snack tastes just like ice cream. Greek Yoghurt and fresh berries are packed with nutrients, and your kids are bound to love it!
Ingredients:
• Greek Yoghurt – 3 cups
• Fresh Blueberries
• Fresh Strawberries
• Natural Maple Syrup
Directions:
Top the Greek yoghurt with fresh berries and drizzle with natural maple syrup.
8. Big-5
Children love smoothies, but buying them the store bought tetra packed smoothies will deprive them of nutrients required by their growing body. This homemade smoothie is so easy to make, and extremely good for health. The bonus ingredient is spinach; a vegetable most kids hate. The flavor of the fresh fruits and sweet maple syrup will cover up the taste of the leafy vegetable, making this a healthy and delicious drink for your little one!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup of strawberries
• 1 Kiwi
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• Handful of spinach
• Honey/ Natural Maple Syrup for extra sweetness
Directions:
Blend all the ingredients in a food processor. Add some ice, and serve cold.
