Kids these days love to snack on food with an outrageous amount of sugar, fat and salt. The practice of eating these snacks lead to some severe health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Snacking is an essential part of kids diet for it satisfies the appetite and gives them the needed nutrients in their diet for optimum growth. The question is, is there such thing as healthy snacks, and are they tasty enough to tempt the young taste buds? The answer is, well, there are!
Snacking can be a way to make sure kids get the necessary nutrients in their diets. Kids have small stomachs that cannot handle large portions. Furthermore, many families often do not have time for proper set meals, so snacks can sometimes support any missed meals. Many young snackers, as we know, do not eat healthy foods. Eating healthier snacks can help ensure that children are getting a steady supply of essential nutrients. Here are some healthy yet tasty and convenient snacks to whip up for young kiddies to nibble on!
8 Healthy Snacks For Your KidsHighlighted
1. Carrots and Peanut Butter
Trying to break the peanut-butter-and-jelly habit in the under-12 set is no easy task, but this mellowed peanut-sesame dip might do the trick. It’s equally good with carrots or any other fruit or vegetable.
What you need:
3 tablespoon of peanut butter
1 tablespoon of honey
A splash of soy sauce
A few drops of sesame oil
Water to smooth
Carrot sticks
Method:
Mix everything (apart from the carrot sticks) with a fork or whisk in a bowl. Add water as needed to thin mixture to a dipping consistency and enjoy!
2. Sweet Cherry Dunks
What you need:
¼ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Cherries with stems attached
Method:
Stir sour cream, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Rinse cherries and arrange them for dipping.
3. Good-for-You Potato Chips
What you need:
1 Russet potato, sliced paper-thin
Salt (optional)
Method:
Cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit a plate. Lay potato discs on top in a flat layer, none is touching each other. Sprinkle layer with salt, if desired. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Microwave for 5-6 minutes. Discs will become lightly browned potato chips.
4. Rolling In The Fruit
What you need:
Green apples
Cheddar cheese
Deli chicken or turkey ham
Method:
Slice apple into thin wedges. Top with a small slice of cheddar cheese. Wrap with a slice of deli ham.
5. Parmesan Cheese Sticks
What you need:
One sheet puff pastry, defrosted
One large egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp water
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
One teaspoon paprika
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry. Flour the side facing you and use a rolling pin to roll it to a 12-inch square. Brush the puff with egg mixture.
Sprinkle the cheese and paprika evenly over the puff. Press the toppings gently but firmly into the puff to help them adhere.
Slice the puff into twenty-four 1/2-inch strips. Divide the strips between the prepared baking sheets, seasoned side up. Twist the strips twice, clockwise at the top and counterclockwise at the bottom, so that you’ve got one long spiral. Bake in the oven and cook until the twists have puffed and are golden brown. Let cool and serve.
6. Devilled Eggs
What you need:
Method:
7. Raisins
Raisins– ever so humble yet packed with nutrition such as fibre, potassium, and vitamins. Nevertheless, we’re sure they will love to dip and swirl fruit wedges or vegetable sticks into a creamy dip with raisins!
What you need:
8 ounces non-fat cream cheese
1- 2 tablespoon fresh milk
3 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ cup raisins
Apple wedges, pear wedges, carrot and celery sticks, for dipping
Method:
Blend cream cheese and milk together till creamy. Add brown sugar and pulse till blended.
Remove mixture to small bowl; stir in raisins. Serve with dippers.
8. Whopper Waffles
Instead of the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, how about some waffles for a boost of iron and vitamins B6, B12, and A? These cool, kid-approved waffle sticks topped with reduced-fat cream cheese and fruit jelly are a cherished treat for kids.
What you need:
Two squares whole-grain waffles
1 teaspoon reduced-fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon apricot jelly (or any other flavour or combinations of flavours)
Fresh fruit (optional)
Method:
Toast waffles and cut into six sticks or squares. Spread each stick with cream cheese and use a spoon or squeeze bottle to spread or dot sticks with jelly. Top with fresh fruit.
What do you think? What are your thoughts on the healthy snacks recipes? Hope you will give it a go and your kids will love it. Stay tuned for more recipes from us and make sure to check out Motherhood.com.my for all your baby needs and get the best deals for every purchase you make.