25 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Snacks That Won’t Pack on the Pounds
Registered Dietician
| 4 min read
I love snacking. It gets a bad rep, but snacking can actually be good for you. It is a great way to get healthy food in your body. It also can keep your metabolism moving, if you are going too long in between meals.
It’s a good idea to eat portion-controlled meals every three to five hours. If you know you are going to go too long in-between meals or you need a little something before a workout, try a snack.
Don’t forget snacks should be in the right portions throughout the day, so don’t overdo it. Here are some delicious, healthy snacks that are great for you and your entire family:
- Make ants on a log or red ants on a log. Spread peanut butter, your favorite nut butter or low-fat cream cheese on celery sticks. Then top with raisins or dried cranberries.
- Make your own trail mix. Mix the end of your favorite cereals, dried fruit and nuts. Then pack in a sandwich bag for an easy on-the-go treat.
- Pre-slice some veggies and store in the refrigerator. Dip in low-fat ranch or my favorite, hummus.
- Dip a whole-wheat pita in hummus.
- Peel a banana and dip it in your favorite yogurt, then roll in crushed cereal. You can eat it as is or freeze it for a change of pace.
- Cut up an apple and dip it in peanut butter with a little bit of cinnamon mixed in. Or create one of my kids’ favorites: apple chips.
- Try stuffing a whole grain pita with ricotta cheese, Granny Smith apple slices and a dash of cinnamon. Yum!
- Top low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt with your favorite cereal or low fat granola and some blueberries or berries of your choice. You can even make your own parfait!
- Top a whole-grain waffle with low-fat yogurt and sliced peaches or pears.
- Make snack kabobs. You can make fruit kabobs, veggie kabobs or mix it up with some cheese. Try low-fat cheese cubes and grapes on pretzel sticks — so fun and colorful! The kids can’t resist this one and neither can my husband.
- Microwave a small baked potato (think the size of a redskin potato) and top it with some salsa and reduced fat cheese.
- Make a quick smoothie: Blend low-fat milk of your choice with frozen or fresh berries, a banana and voila! Try not to add fruit juice because you already have fruit in it.
- Sprinkle your favorite cheese over a corn tortilla, microwave for about 20 seconds and serve with salsa.
- Mix together your favorite nut butter and cornflakes in a bowl. Shape into small balls and enjoy.
- Try sprinkling Parmesan cheese on hot popcorn instead of salt and butter.
- Make a healthy banana split: Top a banana with low-fat vanilla or strawberry frozen yogurt and top with your favorite whole grain cereal. You can also make banana split overnight oats for an easy morning treat.
- Make a mini pizza: Toast a whole grain English muffin, drizzle with pizza sauce, sprinkle with low-fat mozzarella cheese and your favorite veggies. For a sweeter version, toast a whole grain English muffin, drizzle with low-fat vanilla yogurt and your favorite pieces of fruit.
- Make my favorite chocolate peanut butter energy bites: They’re delicious and will give you plenty of energy throughout the day.
- Roll your favorite lunch meat and low-fat cheese in lettuce for a fun and easy lettuce wrap.
- Make an Inside-Out Sandwich: Spread mustard on a slice of deli turkey. Wrap it around a sesame bread stick or a pretzel rod. One of my favorite quick snacks.
- Smear light cheese spread, like Laughing Cow, on a whole grain cracker.
- Build a mini caprese: Enjoy some grape tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella cheese together.
- Snack on edamame, pomegranate, pistachios or kale chips. I love these because you have to work a little bit to enjoy them. Of course, any fruits and vegetables are great. Remember they are nature’s fast food.
- Try dipping whole wheat waffles in some natural applesauce. I love this for breakfast, too. I sometimes will mix some Greek yogurt with the applesauce.
- Spread your favorite nut butter and sliced bananas on a whole wheat cracker. Honey is optional. Elvis loved peanut butter and bananas and knew what he was talking about with this delicious snack.
Many of these snacks I will also have as a meal, by increasing the portion slightly or picking a couple of the above snacks to be my lunch. I cannot stress enough that having a snack is not a bad thing, but don’t overdo it.
What are some of your favorite snacks? I would love to learn about your faves and try them. Happy and healthy snacking to all!
Photo Credit: Andy Melton via Flickr
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