Keys to Snacking with Kids
Americans, in general, overdo snacking and ideally our children should eat 3 meals a day without the need for snacks. This helps to reduce the burden on the digestive system and set them up for success at mealtime. However, with busy schedules and family outings, we know that snacking can help make transitions smoother for littles (and bigs too). On a regular basis, it is best to stick with simple whole food choices like fresh fruit or veggies as it supplies amazing nutrients and healthy fiber for the brain and gut. Reserve even the "healthy" packaged store-bought snacks for celebratory outings and you will be amazed at how excited the kids will be for a healthier snack time.
1. Keep it light and hydrating. Fruit is your best option for light and healthy snacking. Full of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, fruit brings energy and vitality into little bodies and will not sabotage your efforts at regular meal times.
Our favorites: grapes, watermelon, apple slices, oranges, berries, or whatever is in season
2. Keep it easy. As much as possible, keep the prep and cleanup to a minimum for snacks and save your energy for meal time!
Quick & easy snacks: fresh cut fruit, sliced cucumbers sprinkled with sea salt, sliced zucchini and salsa, Bubbies pickles, sliced avocado & tomato with a scoop of sauerkraut, Chlorella Tablets, as well as a handful of nuts or seeds mixed with ribbon cut coconut flakes
3. Simple Prep. Prep snacks for outings to the zoo, park, or a nature walk by doing some thoughtful prep time beforehand.
On-the-go snacks: hard-boiled eggs, soaked & air dried almonds or walnuts, homemade guacamole, hummus, or homemade veggie dip with sliced carrots, celery & broccoli, and Genesis 1:29 Superfood Trail Mix
4. Read the labels. Use store-bought snacks to help fill in the gap. Make sure they are whole food based and avoid harmful ingredients.
Our favorites: Sea Snacks seaweed sheets, Chia Pod vanilla chia pudding, Bubbies pickles or sauerkraut, Chlorella Tablets, Foods Alive flax crackers, Greens Plus Energy Bar, Simply Mills Almond Crackers, mini-individual coconut yogurts, kale chips, organic popcorn in olive or coconut oil, organic apple sauce, and Lundberg rice crackers
4. Try smoothies. Keep frozen fruit and other smoothie making ingredients on hand to whip up a quick smoothie or a blended fruit sorbet for a mid-day snack. Smoothies can also be made as a quick alternative to a regular meal.
Our usuals on hand: homemade or store-bought vanilla almond milk, frozen bananas, frozen cherries, frozen berries, frozen mango, Aloe Life Daily Greens Powder, and Strength of Samson plant-based protein