Blog: 5-2-1-0 To Go

Written and regularly updated by GRHF, this blog's purpose is to motivate readers to take specific action in their communities to help change attitudes and habits regarding children’s weight and health.

Kid-Friendly Healthy Snacks

Site posted on December 11, 2009 13:28

Need some ideas for healthy snacks that your kids will actually eat? Here's a yummy list of options for you! Try a few and don't get upset if your child doesn't like them right away - it may take a couple tastes for him to really decide. Or, host a tasting party for your kids and their friends over to vote on their favorites.

For the tasting party you'll need:

Fun paper plates, napkins (lots), cups, plastic spoons, straws, and a voting box (use an old shoe box and cut a hole for the paper votes.) You will also need Pieces of paper and markers for the kids to vote on.

Healthy snack ideas:

Cold or frozen seedless green grapes
Kiwi (cut in half- kids can scoop out the fruit with a plastic spoon)
Apple slices with all-natural peanut butter
Strawberries with vanilla yogurt for dipping
Homemade fruit smoothie (blend any fruit, 100% fruit juice, frozen vanilla yogurt and ice in the blender)
Bite-size vegetables:
Broccoli, baby carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers (red, yellow, orange, green) and sugar-snap peas are usually kid-approved

With one of these dips:

Low-fat ranch dressing
Guacamole
Hummus
Peanut butter
100% whole corn tortilla chips with salsa
Triscuits or other whole wheat cracker with cream cheese or cheese cubes
Air-popped pop corn made with a small amount of vegetable oil and sprinkled with salt (use an old pan on the stove top or buy a stove-top popcorn popper like a Whirley Pop)
Homemade granola (try my favorite quick & easy recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cherry-almond-and-cinnamon-granola-recipe/index.html)
Homemade trail mix (make it with your child's favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and you can even throw in a few M&Ms!)