We know how life for the average family can be hectic and busy, so grabbing pre-made snacks can be the quickest eating option. Often these include packets of crisps, cupcakes or chocolate bars, all which are full of fat sugar and salt, and certainly aren’t the best snacking options. Here at Tutor Doctor, we know how easy healthy snacks are to incorporate in your child’s diet -- it just takes a little preparation. Here are a few simple tips to start you off; we bet your kids won’t turn them down!
Two Snacks a Day!
Having a snack mid-morning and one in the afternoon is a great way for your child to stay refuelled during a busy school day. Make sure they’re sticking to no more than two snacks per day, as you don’t want your kids to be full by dinner time.
Thirsty instead?
If your kids ask for more snacks after you think they’ve had enough, maybe they’re thirsty instead of hungry. Try offering them a glass of water or semi-skimmed milk instead. This may well satisfy their appetite!
Plan snacks
A little planning before the weekly shopping trip can go a long way toward ensuring a nice variety of healthy snacks for you child. Write out a quick plan of two snacks per day for your kids and stock up on bulk items such as nuts, carrots and fruit. Try to plan one sweet and one savoury snack per day to keep it interesting.
Keep it interesting
Healthy snacks don’t need to consist of only apples and bananas -- there’s a whole other world of interesting and fun ideas out there. Why not try cutting up mango, strawberries, raspberries or chunks of pineapple or melon? Nut butters, such as almond or peanut, are also super-tasty on slices of apple or banana. If your kids enjoy savoury snacks, then carrot sticks and hummus are a great combination or a combination of seeds, dried fruits or nuts can really hit that mid-morning hunger spot.
Not only are all of these snacks quick and easy to prepare, they’re filling and much more beneficial for your child than a bar of chocolate!
