1 Healthy Snacks for Children

2 Snacking has become an important contributor to daily food intake. According to the USDA nearly 10,000 children, twice as many kids today eat snack foods, like cracker, popcorn, pretzels and corn chips as kids did just 20 years ago.

3 Soda Consumption Has increased 37% for 6 to 9 year olds during the same period While eating extra calories, many still fall short on meeting their needs for vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc, and iron.

4 Snacks Whether eaten at home, on the go, or after school, healthy snacks are easy and quick to put together and eat, and offer important nutrients and energy.

5 Healthy Beverages Water, milk, juice, soymilk

6 Healthy Snack Ideas Chopped raw veggies and dip Chunks of avocado, cucumber, or cooked sweet potato Pretzels or popcorn Tortilla chips with bean dip Cheerios, granola Toasted whole grain breads or crackers with fruit spread Graham crackers or gingersnaps dipped in applesauce Mini rice cakes w/peanut butter Fresh fruits

7 Healthy Snack Ideas con… Dried fruits, especially raisins Frozen bananas blended with a little non-dairy milk Applesauce or other fruit cups Nuts, especially with dried fruits Soy yogurt Soy ice cream Individual boxes of soymilk, rice milk, or fruit juices Homemade muffins or cornbread Ramen soup with added vegetables

8 Fun & New Ideas Baked chips Light popcorn Granola bars Sunflower seeds Fruit bars Frozen fruit bars Frozen grapes fudgsicles Raisins Fruit juice Energy drinks Fruit shakes

9 Snack Tips Plan snacks as part of day’s food plan Let children pick out fruits, vegetables and cheeses for snacks Set aside a “snack spot” in the refrigerator and cupboard; keep it stocked with ready- to-eat snacks

10 Offer snacks at regular times, such as midmorning and mid-afternoon Avoid high sugar, fatty and salty snacks (candy & pop) Plan snacks to help meet the number of servings for the Pyramid Never offer food for good behavior

11 Nutrients Breads, grains, cereals Provides carbohydrates, B vitamins and fiber Need for energy to run and play

12 Fruit and vegetables Vitamins such as A and C, carbohydrates and fiver 5 a day program

13 Meats, fish, poultry, nuts, & beans Protein and meats provide iron

14 Snacks for Pyramid Mix and match with two levels of the food guide pyramid Ex. Carrots and celery with yogurt dip

15 Activity To make: English muffin pizzas with pineapple or tomato slice, mushrooms, etc Baked potatoes with chili beans, broccoli & cheese Waffles topped with fresh fruit Yogurt and fruit topped cereals Tortillas and beans

16 Raw vegetables cut into slices or sticks with a yogurt dip. Mix your favorite dry salad dressing mix into plain yogurt to make a great tasting low-fat dip) Trail mix made with several types of cereal, dried fruits, and nuts or sunflower seeds Yogurt grahams (spread fruit-flavored yogurt on a graham cracker square, top with second square. Wrap in plastic and freeze)

17 Ants on a Log ½ C nut butter 5 stalks of celery ¼ C raisins Spread nut butter equally among the sticks of celery. Sprinkle raisins on top and serve.

18 Vegetable Dip 1 (16 oz) sour cream 1 (8oz) cream cheese 1 packet Ranch salad dressing mix Mix ingredients and serve with a platter of fresh vegetables for dipping. (broccoli, celery, carrots, radishes, peppers, cauliflower, etc)

19 Pyramid Tortilla Recipe 1 (8 in) tortilla 2 oz thin sliced turkey or ham 2 T shredded cheese ¼ C shredded lettuce 1 T raisins Lowfat may, cream cheese, or margine

20 Tortilla cont…. Give each person a tortilla. Have them spread with may, margarine or cream cheese. Then layer on the meat, cheese, lettuce and raisins. Roll up and enjoy. (this snack could also be made with a slice of bread or English muffin)

21 Veggies in a Blanket 2 flour tortillas 2 T cream cheese 1 grated carrot 2 lettuce leaves (handful of baby spinach) Warm tortillas in dry pan. Spread with cream cheese. Add carrots, lettuce or spinach. Roll up and serve or wrap in plastic wrap for snacking later.

22 Turtle Milk 1 C milk 1 T brown sugar ½ t vanilla extract Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and gently warm over medium heat, stirring often with a whisk or a fork.

23 Banana Orange Push-Ups 2 medium bananas 6 oz orange juice (frozen) ½ C nonfat dry milk powder ½ C water 1 C yogurt (low-fat) Put bananas in blender and add remaining ingredients. Cover and blend until foamy.

24 Berry Banana Smoothie 1 small banana ¼ C fresh or frozen assorted berries (raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries) 1 C orange juice 3 T vanilla low-fat yogurt Fresh mint (optional)