Snacks For Kids: What’s Best To Give After School?
Children often come home from school with a rumbling stomach. Then they need a healthy and tasty snack. Read on to learn about the five best snacks for kids to give after a busy day at school.
Sometimes it is difficult not to reach for unhealthy food. After all, this is often a quick fix for hungry children and for parents who don’t have much time. Fortunately, there are also a lot of healthy snacks that kids love.
Don’t underestimate the importance of healthy snacks. Good nutrition is essential for the growth and development of your child. A snack after school provides enough energy for a busy afternoon full of games and homework.
A long day at school can be both physically and mentally exhausting. An afternoon snack is the ideal way for a child to regain some energy while waiting for dinner.
Why are snacks for children so important?
- Growth: Children grow and develop. Therefore, they need nutrients and energy to get them started.
- Digestion: A child’s body will have a hard time if they don’t eat for a long time. Children need smaller portions, but more often than adults.
- Keep weight under control: Eating regularly will help children feel less hungry in the evening. As a result, they are less likely to stuff themselves at dinner. That’s why the right snacks can help keep your child’s weight off.
- Energy: Children are very active physically and mentally. They sit at school all day, running around and training their brains. So it goes without saying that they need food to recharge their batteries. This allows them to maintain their hectic daily routines.
Rules regarding snacks for children
- Take into account the time of day. A snack at school should be eaten during the break. After school you should provide a snack when lunch has already been consumed. But make sure that dinner doesn’t follow too soon.
- Watch the amount your child eats. Remember that a snack should be light while waiting for the next meal. Too many snacks can cause problems with other meals.
- Avoid refined sugar and artificial colors and flavors. Regardless of the many quick options available on the market, you should pay attention to the labels. There are certain substances that children should not ingest every day.
- Make sure you choose snacks that contain nutrients from the right food groups. This does not mean that every snack should contain carbohydrates, fruit and dairy, but that they should eat something from these food groups every day.
- Don’t forget the water! Make sure your child is always hydrated.
The 5 best snacks for kids
These snack ideas for kids can provide a good starting point. However, don’t be afraid to innovate. In other words, use your inspiration!
Why not ask the kids for some fun ideas yourself? Together you can undoubtedly make something that is new, tasty and healthy.
- sandwiches. This is a classic. When making sandwiches, you need to think about size. They should be filling and in tune with how active the child in question is. In addition, you have to think about what toppings you put on the sandwich. Cold meats such as ham are a good choice because they are packed with protein. You can also make sweet sandwiches with, for example, banana or chocolate spread. These provide a lot of energy and you can be sure that your child will love them.
- Fruit lollipops. Puree fruit and freeze it using molds to make ice creams. This is a healthy snack that you can easily make ahead of time. Plus, this is perfect for a hot afternoon in the summer.
- Yogurt. Yogurt provides your child with the right amount of dairy, calcium and protein. Mix it with fruit, muesli or nuts. Opt for natural yogurt and always check the label for added sugars.
- smoothies. Choose seasonal fruits to make a smoothie your child will love. You can mix a little milk in it for the calcium. Add grains or unsalted nuts so that this drink contains three food groups at once.
- A glass of milk and a piece of homemade cake. As for cake and all kinds of pastries, the best ones are the ones that are made at home. This way you know for sure which ingredients and how much of them end up in the baking. This is the perfect treat for your child. Why don’t you take a piece yourself?
Conclusion
Of course you don’t have to worry if you don’t have enough time every day to make a snack yourself. It is okay to give something that you have already bought prepared in the supermarket every now and then.
The key to a healthy diet is balance. But know that a little indulgence every now and then won’t hurt.
