Snacking Healthy

“Mom, I’m hungry!”

These words can make a parent cringe, especially when it is close to mealtime. Younger children can get cranky if they are hungry, as can older kids who come home famished and need something to tide them over until the next meal.

Snacks can play an important role in aiding nutrition goals by getting the necessary nutrients when you have a busy schedule and meals aren’t as nutritious as normal. The best snacks are low in sugar, fat, and salt and between 100 and 200 calories. Good choices include fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as bread, crackers or cereal and protein foods such as peanut butter.

Timing of a snack can play an important role in how the children eat. Pay attention to portion sizes and timing of snacks so they don’t interfere with a child's appetite for the next meal. Try structuring meal and snack time. Offer the meals and snacks at the same times each day, and your kids can decide what they want to eat and how much.