Snacks are a great way to add some healthy ingredients to your kid’s diet. The packaged, processed snacks contain artificial flavors and colors that are extremely unhealthy and should be avoided. Instead of giving your kid these unhealthy processed foods, try some wholesome, highly nutritious, and delicious snacks that will help them remain full and keep them healthy.
Popcorn
Some people believe that popcorn is a junk food, but on the contrary, it is a healthy whole grain. Unless you top it with unhealthy junk food, popcorn is an easy-to-prepare, healthy snack for children. All you need to do is air-pop it and add a small tablespoon of butter to it. You can also grate some parmesan cheese on the popcorn.
Yogurt
Packed with calcium and protein, yogurt is one of the best healthy snacks for toddlers. Calcium is crucial for bone development and protein is required to build and repair tissues. Moreover, some yogurts are known to contain live bacteria that help in managing the digestive system.
Most yogurts that are found in the market are loaded with sugar, and therefore, should be avoided. Instead, to make this a healthy snack for your toddler, opt for full-fat, plain yogurt. You can also add a few tablespoons of raw honey or top it with fresh fruits to sweeten it.
Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for children as it is loaded with protein, calcium, and selenium. It is soft, fresh, and creamy cheese that can be easily consumed by infants and toddlers. Cottage cheese also contains vitamin B12, which is a vital nutrient for children’s growth and brain development. To make this healthy snack more appealing to your kid, you can serve it as a creamy spread on a whole wheat toast or a slice of cottage cheese topped with nuts.
Smoothie
Smoothies are not only healthy but also easy to prepare. You can also add veggies to make them more nutritious. Avoid using packaged fruit juices when preparing as they contain high amount of sugar. Instead, go for fresh ingredients to add to the nutrition quotient. One of the simplest and healthiest smoothie recipes that you can begin with is:
Ingredients
- 2 cups of fresh berries
- 2 cups of fresh spinach
- 1 cup of almond milk or whole milk
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey
How to prepare
Put all the ingredients together in a blender and mix them until smooth. Serve fresh.
