Healthy Snacks
Submitted by: Linda Schoene, Parish Nurse
The words healthy and snacks are not mutually exclusive. Snacks are a great
way to keep energy levels high during the day. This is especially true for growing
children and teenagers. Healthy snacks will not "spoil" appetites,
but serve instead as an important part of a nutritious diet. For adults, healthy
snacks keep fat, sugar and caloric intake in a healthy balance. Make healthy
eating a family affair.
- Allow children to participate in their food choices. Keep a variety of healthy
snacks for them to choose from. Save rich desserts for special events and
don't keep them around the house on a regular basis.
- Make healthy eating fun. Use large cookie cutters to make lunch box sandwiches
in the shape of animals or hearts. Serve cut up veggies on a fun tray with
its own snack cup of yogurt dip.
- Avoid juice drinks that are not 100% juice. Freeze juice in ice cube trays
for slushy juice options. Water is still the best choice to quench thirst.
- Use low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.
- Unsweetened applesauce is more filling and provides the dietary fiber not
found in apple juice.
- When providing snacks for an event at school, church or home, make sure
to offer healthy alternatives to the usual cookies, cake and doughnuts.
- Find out what kinds of food options are offered at school and be an advocate
for good nutrition.
- Avoid grapes, nuts and popcorn for children under age four as they present
a choking hazard.
Last updated:
2003-10-24