Kids can be fussy eaters, which means parents struggle to maintain a healthy diet for them. Snacks are particularly challenging for daycare age students. With so many processed options available, it is tough to determine which snack item is the right choice. Mt. Elizabeth Academy understands the struggle and offers catered meals at our daycare to make sure the children get delicious healthy snacks to aid their development.
We encourage parents to provide their children with healthy food choices to promote a healthy lifestyle from early on. To make it easier for you, here is a list of some quick and healthy snack recipes:
1. Sliced Fruit
The easiest snack for children is sliced fruit. Cut fruit up in different shapes and sizes to make it fun for toddlers to eat.
2. Popcorn
Popcorn is another great snack to keep your little one’s tummy full between meals. All you have to do is grab some popcorn kernels and pop them in a pot with a dash of oil and salt. Have a lid ready!
3. Fruit & Yogurt
What’s better than fruit? Fruit mixed in yogurt. This snack is energy-boosting and even makes a perfect breakfast option. Just cut some fruits in small cubes and add them to a bowl of yogurt.
4. Banana, Hazelnut & Honey Smoothie
A smoothie is a delicious way of keeping your children energized and full between meals. Create a dairy-free smoothie with banana, chopped nuts (allergy dependent), honey, and soy milk. All it takes is five to ten minutes, and your kids will love it!
5. Baked Vegan Sweet Potato Fries
Children love fries. You can switch to a healthy version by making the fries with sweet potato and popping them in the oven to bake instead of deep-frying them.
6. Pita Bread Pizza
With this healthy pita bread recipe, your kids can enjoy pizza as often as they like. They will even have fun making it with you. Grab a pita bread, spread sauce on it, top it with your kids’ favorite veggies, and cover it with shredded cheese. Bake it in the oven, and voila!
7. Banana Nice Cream
Nice cream is a healthy version of ice cream. The kids will be overjoyed to have ice cream as a snack, and it is super easy to make. All you have to do is cut bananas, toss them in a zip lock back and freeze them for a few hours. Next, add the chopped bananas in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. You can use almond milk or Greek yogurt if you prefer to make it creamier. You can make nice cream in a large batch and can use any frozen fruit.
8. Veggie Pita Pocket
Many parents complain to us how hard it is to get their children to eat veggies. Fortunately, there are fun ways to sneak veggies into their diet. Spread a sauce on whole-wheat pita pocket, slice up vegetables, like bell peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots. Toss in some chicken, and done.
Children are very active throughout the day, which means they get hungry between meals. A healthy snack is a perfect way to ensure your kids stay energized and get their daily nutrient requirements. Offer your children these yummy snacks and they are bound to love it.
Our students at Mt. Elizabeth Academy love these delicious snacks we provide. Our daycare center offers after-school programs, vacation camp, pre-K, and other early learning activities for families in Acworth, Marietta, Kennesaw, and other areas. Learn more about our programs by getting in touch with us today!