Healthy Snack Guide For Children
In addition to the intake of the main meal, we also need to provide healthy snacks for the child. The number of children's activities, ranging from school to play with friends, makes him need a portion of food that can provide sufficient energy intake.
Healthy snacks for children need to be prepared to provide enough fuel for them to undergo a dense activity. Thanks to healthy snacks, energy levels and concentration can be maintained. In addition, the consumption of healthy snacks for children can also provide additional nutrients to ensure the nutritional completeness obtained by the Little.
Changing Children's Habits
Generally, children love snacks that are dominated by fat, sugar, and salt content. To divert a child's appetite from such a snack, parents should do it gradually.
This gradual change will make it easier for your child, as well as yourself, to change habits. The goal is for the child to feel the change without them knowing it. Start by limiting your snack intake to your child, for example being only twice a day, one morning and one afternoon.
Do not forget to keep an eye on the amount of snacks consumed. Children usually like chocolate that contains lots of fat and sugar. Therefore, try not to consume too much of this type of snack. Children under 10 years old are not advised to consume more than 24 grams of sugar a day. In addition to snacks, give a drink that can not only eliminate thirst, but also keep healthy. You can provide mineral water or low-fat milk for both functions.
Healthy Snacks For Kids Like What?
If the transition done above is running well, it's time to make the child eat real healthy snacks. Healthy snacks are not only able to meet the nutritional intake of children, but also support child growth and maintain normal weight.
Make light snacks that provide carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, with low sugar and salt content. Foods rich in protein or fiber itself is good for children, as it can help them feel full longer. It would be better if the snacks are enriched with various nutrients that can support their growth and development. Healthy snacks for children are recommended to contain at least 100 calories.
In addition to following the above rules, some of the following can be used as a healthy snack for children.
- Make snacking a fun activity
An interesting form of snack for children will certainly be more appealing to them. For example, make funny faces in pudding or fruit. In addition, using a new way of eating foods can also be a means to attract children. For example, who usually use spoons and forks, try to use chopsticks or toothpicks.
- Sweet snacks can also be healthful
In order for sweet snacks to stay healthy, serve low-fat pudding, yogurt, or fruit. Make juice or milk smoothie from milk, yogurt without sugar, and fruit.
- Keep kids away from junk food
If parents do not provide unhealthy snacks and snacks alias junk food, then the kids will avoid such types of food. That is, the rules of parents is instrumental in educating children to get used to eating healthy.
- Expand menu
Do not fixate on certain types of food. There are many types of fruits and vegetables that can be used as healthy snacks for children, such as pineapple, mango, avocado, and red pepper, or yellow. The mixture of some of these fruits and vegetables may be more attractive for children to eat.
- Recommend with whole grains
Whole grains in the form of cereal or cake, good for children to eat. High fiber content will make the child feel full longer.
In order for a healthy snack for a child can be a habit, then parents should be a good example in this case, because children will usually follow the habits of parents. Involve also the child in the process, for example by creating a snack schedule together. If it is difficult to choose a healthy snack option for children or children to choose foods, you can consult a doctor or a pediatrician for further advice.