Healthy Snacks for Busy Kids
It can be a challenge to come up with easy snacks for kids. If it’s a conspicuously healthy snack, it can be a major battle just to get them to try a bite, much less like it. If they can’t get enough of a special sugar-packed dessert snack, you probably don’t want them eating it very often. But don’t worry! Here are some healthy, easy snacks that your kids are sure to devour:
1. Hummus and veggies
Hummus and veggies are a fantastic snack for kids. You can easily purchase hearth-healthy olive oil based hummus in any grocery store. You can also add paprika or pine nuts to it for an extra kick. Simply chop up some fresh, in-season veggies. Peppers of any color or rainbow baby carrots are both sweet choices that are full of anthocyanins. Arrange them on a plate with a serving of hummus and let your child feast.
2. Fruit smoothies
Here’s one ultra-effortless way to get your kids to eat more fruit. Smoothies can be made with either fresh or frozen fruit. You can use bananas, mangos, and blueberries in one, or try strawberries, peaches, and kefir in another. One huge plus about smoothies is that they are infinitely customizable. You’re sure to find a flavor your kid adores.
3. Deviled eggs with sriracha
This is one of the yummiest protein rich snacks! To make these, place six eggs in a medium pan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then remove, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Place the eggs in cold water briefly to cool them down. After peeling each egg, slice it in half, and divide the yolks from the whites. Arrange the whites on a plate. Place the yolks in a bowl. Add a dash of salt and pepper, plus 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha sauce. Stir until combined, then place the mixture into the egg white slices.
4. Sweet potato fries
Believe it or not, fries can be healthy with this recipe. These are baked, not fried, so you don’t have to worry about the fat content. Plus, sweet potatoes are higher in fiber than regular potatoes, and they contain much higher levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. They’re also a better source of calcium and magnesium. To prepare these, slice sweet potatoes in the shape of a steak fry. Put them in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil and your favorite seasoning salt. Place them on a baking tray, pop them in the oven at 375, and bake them until they’re crispy. Enjoy with a healthy dipping sauce.
5. Kale and tomato grilled cheese sandwiches
Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? To make these, you’ll only need to perform two extra steps. First, pick your favorite heirloom tomato, and slice it. Place it on a paper towel to drain. Then, pop 1 cup of pre-washed baby kale (you can get this in the salad section) in the microwave. Season it with salt, pepper, and a little hot sauce for a kick. Cook until the kale has completely wilted. Now, make a grilled cheese according to your usual recipe—just throw the kale and the sliced tomato in the middle!