Healthy Snacks

What types of foods and beverages can be counted as “healthy snacks?”
The following foods and beverages are nutrient-rich foods that contain essential nutrients often lacking in children’s diets. These healthy snacks contain little or no added sugar, fat or salt. Eating these types of snack foods more often can significantly improve a child’s diet.

• 100% fruit or vegetable juice                                                                       
• Canned and packaged fruit products packed in juice
• Low or nonfat milk
• Low or nonfat yogurt
• Low fat cheese
• Dried fruit

Please save nuts for at home after school due to students allergies.

Other snack ideas:  Low fat quick breads and muffins.  Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereals.

SNACK TIPS:

• Plan snacks as a part of the day's food plan.
• When shopping, let children help pick out fruits, vegetables, and cheeses for snacks. They will be more interested in eating these foods if they have been involved in selecting them.
• Set aside a "snack spot" in the refrigerator and cupboard; keep it stocked with nutritious ready-to-eat snacks.
• Offer snacks at regular times, such as midmorning and mid afternoon.
• Avoid high sugar, fatty and salty snacks, such as candy and soda pop.
• Snacks are a good way to introduce new foods. Include a game or activity to learn about the new food and let the child help fix it.
• Plan snacks to help meet the suggested number of servings per day from the Food Guide Pyramid: 6 to 11 servings from the breads, cereal, rice and pasta group; 3 to 5 servings from the vegetable group; 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group; 2 to 3 servings from the milk, cheese and yogurt group; and 2 to 3 servings meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and dry beans group.
• It is not a good idea to offer food as a reward for good behavior.

Resources:

http://www.dole5aday.com

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/thriftyliving/tl-snacks.html

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