Kids need healthy snacks to fuel their busy days at school. When they choose nutritious foods, they can better focus on their lessons and have more energy to play with their friends. But it can be tough to come up with healthy snack ideas that kids will actually eat.
Here are some tips for packing healthy snacks for kids to take to school:
- Choose a variety of snacks. Kids love to have options, so offer a variety of healthy snacks to choose from. This will help them stay interested in eating healthy and prevent them from getting bored with the same snacks every day.
- Make sure the snacks are portable. Choose snacks that are easy to pack and eat on the go. Avoid snacks that are messy or require a lot of preparation.
- Consider your child’s dietary needs. If your child has any food allergies or intolerances, be sure to choose snacks that are safe for them to eat.
Here are some specific healthy snack ideas for kids to take to school:
- Fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some easy-to-pack fruits and vegetables include apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, berries, carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers. You can also pack cut-up fruit in a reusable container with a squeeze packet of yogurt dip.
- Whole grains. Whole grains are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates, which can help kids feel full and satisfied between meals. Some easy-to-pack whole-grain snacks include whole-wheat crackers, whole-grain cereal, and whole-wheat bread and bagels.
- Protein. Protein is important for helping kids grow and develop. Some easy-to-pack protein snacks include hard-boiled eggs, cheese sticks, nuts, and yogurt.
- Healthy fats. Healthy fats are important for brain development and overall health. Some easy-to-pack healthy fat snacks include avocado slices, trail mix, and nut butter.
Here are some additional tips for making healthy snacks more appealing to kids:
- Get creative with presentation. Cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or make a snack plate with different colored foods.
- Add a dip. Kids love to dip their food, so offer a healthy dip such as hummus, yogurt dip, or guacamole.
- Make it fun. Kids are more likely to eat healthy snacks if they are fun and engaging. Try packing snacks in reusable containers with fun designs or using cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into fun shapes.
By following these tips, you can pack healthy snacks for kids to take to school that they will actually eat and enjoy.
