Getting kids to eat is often easier said than done. That’s right, Karen down the street who claims her child “eats everything” is lucky, but in the minority.
Most children are picky and opinionated about what they want to eat during the day. Sugary cereals, soft drinks, chicken nuggets and other less than nutritious foods are usually part of our children’s daily diets for convenience and ease.
To help parents and caregivers transition kids to healthier eating, here are some quick snacks and other foods you can keep at home so your kids have easy on-the-go options. It can be difficult to fit more nutritious foods into your daily schedule, so start small and build up gradually.
Whole wheat bread
We know whole grain bread wouldn’t be your kids’ first choice, but if that’s all you buy, they’ll eat it! Slathered in almond butter or piled into a sandwich of lean deli meats and other delicious ingredients, they’ll barely notice they’re enjoying this whole-grain option after a while.
Unlike white bread, whole-wheat bread contains whole grains packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
cold cuts
Deli meats are a fairly typical snack for most parents and children, which is great considering the protein they contain. Choose those that are unprocessed.
Our suggestion? Go for the turkey. Turkey is generally lower in calories and contains less sodium. Switching from ham, bologna or roast beef to turkey is an easy little change that brings you one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.
Apple slices and almond butter
They are crunchy, sweet, tasty and go well. Combining them with almond butter, a more nutritious alternative to peanut butter with more heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, is a great way to ensure your child is getting fiber and healthy fats.
Bananas
Another fiber-rich fruit that most kids love to eat. Bananas are a great pre-workout, after-dinner, or on-the-go snack. They are filling, nutritious and easy to use to play with!
That’s right, playing with food can make healthy eating more appealing to many children according to Nutrilite ™ lead researcher Holiday Zanetti. She should know that. She is a mother with a doctorate in nutrition!
Carrots, celery, cucumbers and other fresh vegetables are a great healthy snack on their own, but most of the time kids refuse to eat vegetables alone. Why not accompany them with a delicious dip?
Ranch sauce is a classic for kids and is okay in moderation, but hummus is a great, more nutritious alternative. Hummus is mainly made up of chickpeas, a legume packed with a good amount of vitamins and minerals. It’s also a great plant-based protein if you’re looking to cut back on your meat intake.
Baked vegetables
Roasting vegetables in the oven is a quick and easy way to prepare crispy, baked goodies for you and your family.
Whether it’s Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, broccoli or carrots, most vegetables taste delicious after a little olive oil, seasoning and high heat. Simply chop up the veggies, season with your favorite flavors and bake at 425°F (220°C) until just the way you want them.
A transparent glass teapot is placed on a table with tea inside. A person holding a cup of tea is visible in the background.
Fill them with tea
Most of us understand that our children ask for a sweet treat before bedtime. To avoid snacking after dinner, try incorporating a cup of caffeine-free tea into their evening ritual.
The tea offers many health benefits and will keep your young ones hydrated and feeling full at the end of the evening. If they want something sweeter, add a few drops of honey to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Yogurt and fruit
Yogurt is a great breakfast and a great snack for kids and adults alike. It contains a healthy amount of the calcium you need daily and other nutrients like vitamin B12. It’s also incredibly easy to incorporate into other nutritious mixes like fresh fruit or granola.
Smoothies are a fun way to give your kids fruits and vegetables they wouldn’t normally eat. They can also be a great way to get your kids involved in preparing their food. (It’s fun to see whole fruits and veggies turn into a drinkable treat!)
To make your smoothie, you can add anything you like: a green leafy vegetable for antioxidants like kale or spinach, some fruit, and maybe a protein, like yogurt, nut butter, or Nutrilite Organic Plant Protein Powder .
Another on-the-go option is the Nutrilite Kids Superfood Smoothie . These kids’ shakes are a good source of soy-free protein, 100% pure fruits and vegetables, and many essential vitamins to help keep kids going until the next meal.Boiled or steamed, edamame is a quick but tasty snack that is served with a little salt. It is also a fun snack for children. They love to open the pods to find the beans inside! Introducing this snack to your children at a young age may make them more open to trying other types of vegetables.
energy balls
These energy-packed snacks are on-trend health foods with tons of varieties so you can experiment until you find the one you love. Most of these balls contain a base layer of oats, honey, some type of nut butter, raisins, mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, coconut oil, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. These balls are high in carbs and protein and are easy to store for mid-day snacks and lunches.