How to Choose Healthy Snacks for Tweens
Snacking is all About Making Good Decisions
There are four main areas where you can really add a lot of nutritious value to a tween's snack time. This article will show you how easy it can be to choose healthy snacks for your child.
Eating Fruits and Vegetables
Of course, one of the best snacks to choose for a tween’s health is fruits and vegetables. It is often easiest to try some taste tests to determine if you child will eat these foods. Let your child pick occasionally, too. You may be surprised at some of the choices. Many fruits and veggies will require minimal preparation, or can be prepared ahead of time. There are also great ideas for prepackaged fresh fruit or vegetable cups you can find in your local grocery. These foods are wonderful to take along at recreational sports games or while traveling in the car for any length of time.
You might consider making fruits and vegetables more interesting and tasty by allowing your tween to use a variety of dips. Caramel dip goes great with apples, while a zesty vegetable dip will make uncooked broccoli a great snack.
Getting the Fiber Tweens Need
Healthy grains are also very important for your child's physical well being. Not only do grains provide fiber, they are a great source of energy for your tween. When deciding which healthy grains to serve as a snack, remember whole grains are best. These can be found in:
- Pitas
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
- Popcorn
- Tortillas (even chips)
This is just to name a few examples. Whole grains have also been proven to reduce the risks of some cancers and heart disease.
Dairy Products Can Be Tasty
To help keep your tween's heart and bones strong, select dairy products that are fat free or low in fat. Consider low-fat puddings and yogurt. Cheese is one of the top two sources for saturated fats in a child's diet. If you serve cheese to your child, be sure and choose the lower fat cheese. You might also serve it with other foods like whole grains or vegetables.
Drinks that Have Healthy Benefits
Water needs to be served with most snacks. It will satisfy your child's thirst without adding unnecessary calories or sugar. It is cheap, too! If you child refuses to drink tap water, consider sparkling waters or seltzers. These are low in calories and available in a wide range of flavors.
Milk is also one of the healthiest drinks for a child. It is high in vitamin D and calcium. Be sure to use 2% or low fat milk and not whole milk.
Fruit juices are also a great way for your child to get some of the servings of fruit needed each day. Use only 100% fruit juice and limit the amount your child drinks. Stay away from the juice or sports drinks though. Many are no better than a soda for your child.
Providing healthy snacks will help you child establish a healthy eating program they will take into adulthood. Not only will it strengthen their bodies, many provide positive, preventive nutrients your child needs to lower the risks of certain diseases. It is up to you to make sure your tween is getting some healthy snacks in their diet.
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Healthy Snacks for Tweens
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