Smart Choices for
Summer Snack Attacks
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey of nearly 10,000 children, twice as many kids today eat snack foods, like crackers, popcorn, pretzels, and corn chips as kids did just 20 years ago. Soda consumption has increased 37 percent for children ages 6 to 9 during the same time period. Though children are eating extra calories, they still may be falling short in meeting their needs for vitamins and minerals. Fit City offers these tips for quick and healthy summer snacks for kids.
Tips for Healthy Snacking
- Remember the Golden Rule for feeding kids--Parents must decide what to eat and when, and kids decide how much to eat.
- Offer snacks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Don't let children nibble or fill up on sweetened beverages throughout the day.
- In the refrigerator and pantry, keep healthy foods at kid's eye level so that they see them first.
- With parents' guidance, let kids help pick out fruits, veggies and low-fat cheeses for snacking and encourage them to help prepare snacks.
Smart Choices:
- Low fat cheeses and crackers
- Light microwave popcorn or air-popped corn
- Miniature plates of veggies and dip
- Celery with peanut butter or cream cheese
- Fun fruit--unusual fruits like jicama or pomegranates
- Apple sauce
- Peanut butter on whole grain bread
- Yogurt parfait