Kids love to snack, especially when they are stuck at home. With so many schools deciding to keep their programs online this autumn, you might be a little worried about your child’s snacking habits. Not only can snacking wreak havoc on their health, but it can also put a huge dent in your food budget. There are so many great ways you can curb the calories and the spending though. These ten snacks will help you appease your kids while making you feel guilt-free.
1. Apples
Apples can be one of the most nutritious snacks around. Luckily, they don’t cost a lot of money, so you can keep your kids in apples without stressing out. A whole apple on its own is appetizing enough, but if your kids get bored with this treat then there is a whole lot that you can do with an apple. For instance, you can slice it and serve it with yogurt, caramel, or peanut butter dip, to add to the flavor. You can also slice an apple and make it into a cookie by adding fun toppings like peanut butter and then using chocolate chips or fruits to make it more fun. Another fun thing to do is slice the apples and bake them or air fry them until they turn into chips. You can add a touch of sweetener or cinnamon to make the snack even better.
2. Bananas
When it comes to health foods, bananas are always a great option for kids. They are packed with nutrients, easy for kids of all ages to eat, and require very little work on your part. Kids can eat bananas plain or mixed with other fruits, but if the snack gets boring there are still endless options you can utilize. For starters, you can mix the cookie with oatmeal and bake into a nutritious cookie that can actually be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, too. You can also use bananas for muffins, which will also make for a nice treat in the morning, especially if you add other berries to the mix.
3. Popcorn
If you’re looking for a winner every time your kids go for a snack, then popcorn is a great choice. This snack is low calorie when popped on its own, so try to keep to the basics if you can. If not, then purchase unflavored popcorn but pick out some popcorn flavoring powders to go along with it. This allows you to monitor the intake of the junk portion of the food while still allowing the kids some enjoyment. This snack is perfect for kids to have while they’re working on a project, as it won’t leave their fingers messy. Of course, you can add some fun twists to popcorn, as well. Popcorn balls are only one of the options when it comes to this.
4. Yogurt
For children that aren’t lactose intolerant, yogurt can be a real win. This snack is filled with calcium and probiotics that will make kids fall in love with every delicious bite. If you stick to plain yogurt, then your kids are already on the right track. Greek yogurt is an even better option. You can flavor the yogurt with all sorts of things too, but fruit and honey are some of the most beloved by kids. If you want to go crazy with your child’s yogurt snack, then add some fruit or other treats and freeze it into a popsicle. You can also lay down a bed of oats and spread yogurt and fruit on top. Then, freeze it to create a yogurt bark. The same can be done with small dots of yogurt, which create fun little dots that younger kids will really love to enjoy.
5. String Cheese
If you’re looking for another calcium-based treat, then string cheese is a wonderful option. This snack usually comes in mozzarella or cheddar, which are usually two of the most liked cheeses for kids. These cheeses can be eaten in stick form, torn apart, or paired with other foods. You can also make fun shapes with your cheese, which will make it seem like a more intricate snack to the kids in your life. Best of all, string cheese pairs incredibly well with veggies which will encourage healthier eating for kids of all ages.
6. Oatmeal
One of the cheapest and healthiest snacks for your kids is oatmeal. This is a great hearty snack that will make it a lot easier to keep your kids full for longer. Of course, a bowl of oatmeal and fruit can go a long way, but there are also numerous things that can be done with oatmeal. For starters, you might consider making it into cookies. Pairing oatmeal with peanut butter and egg is one of the simplest cookie recipes that can truly change the way your kids’ snack. You can also use it to make bars. Simply add some chocolate, fruit, or what have you, and you’ll be all set. Oatmeal can also be eaten raw, which is a great way to change the way kids enjoy trail mix and other similar snacks. When it comes to oatmeal, your imagination is the limit, because you can really come up with some fun ideas to show off.
7. Smoothie
When it comes to keeping kids healthy, especially during these trying times, a smoothie is one of the best ways to go. You can mix up this snack any way that you please too, which will definitely make your child’s snacks more exciting. For instance, in order to boost antioxidants, throw in some berries and other fruits that pair well. Then sneak in some veggies and a milk or plant milk of choice. You’ll be surprised how little the children care what is it in the snack, which will make it so much easier for you to help them get everything they need. Of course, if you want to make the snack fun, you can have them come up with their own concoction. In order to make this snack budget-friendly, you should stick with frozen fruits and veggies. These usually have a reduced price that will allow you to shop in bulk and so on.
8. Homemade Chips
Chips tend to be one of the most common go-to options for most children. This isn’t a great snack for anyone though, so you might want to remedy the habit while your child is quarantined as it may cause a lot of weight gain. In order to do this, you might consider ditching the bagged chips altogether. Instead, try to go for a healthier option. One of the most common ways to do this is to bake thinly sliced potatoes. However, with air fryers growing in popularity, this is also a great option to try out. Potato isn’t your only option to work with either. You can use just about anything including leafy green vegetables to make your child’s snack even better. Don’t forget to season the chips too, as this will help make them even more enticing.
9. Dips
Without a doubt, dips are one of the best ways to make your child’s snack time even more enjoyable. There are so many awesome dips to choose from too, which can help make you feel excited to try many of the items. One of the more common healthy dips is hummus which can be spiced or sweetened to suit your child’s desires. Guacamole is another delicious dip filled with healthy fats that will make kids go wild. Apart from that, there is the classic artichoke and spinach. That is only scratching the surface though. If you’re looking to mix things up, there are numerous dip recipes on the internet that can add to your child’s health and enjoyment. You never know, you might come across one that truly changes the way your family snacks forever.
10. Homemade Trail Mix
Your favorite snack is about to become a household favorite as a homemade trail mix can really raise the household’s snack game. Trail mix is known to be filled with energizing ingredients that are designed to help boost your body’s health. Everything from nuts to dry fruits can be included, so let the family have fun as they create their own. Of course, don’t forget the fun stuff like the occasional chocolate chip or m&m candy to make the snack a real treat.
Enjoying a snack at home is bound to happen. With everyone cooped up, it is bound to happen a bit more often. These ten ideas should help to keep your child’s snacking in check while allowing them to still enjoy the food. On top of that, you’ll find that these snacks won’t break the bank, which is bound to do you a few favors, too.
