Healthy Snacks for Your Children

The average American life is busy, so we opt for almost everything fast, especially our food. It's well known that fast food when consumed in large amounts and frequently is a detriment to health. It's so easy to place a slice of pizza and a cup of soda in front of our children's face for a snack, but why keep doing it when it's not healthy, instead why not opt for some healthier, more nutritious snacks , full of vitamins and minerals unlike empty calorie snacks such as candy, chips, and soda;

1. Ants on a log; preparation is simple you'll need celery, peanut butter, and raisins. Spread some peanut butter inside of the split in the celery, and then position a few raisins on top of the peanut butter in single file down the piece of celery. The raisins will resemble little black ants. This is a nutritious and tasty snack for children. Serve this with a cup of apple juice or your child's favorite juice.

***** Be careful when serving celery to younger children, as they might choke on the celery as it is stringy when chewed.

2. Raw Veggies and dip; Place some baby carrots, celery, and small broccoli in a circle on a plate, in the center put a little ranch dressing. Kids will love this! - Keep the servings considerate as kids get overwhelmed and easily discouraged with too much food on their plate.

3. Wheat pizza bagel; you'll need some mini wheat bagels, low fat cheese, and sauce, cooked veggies like pepper, mushroom, etc, ground beef (already browned) if your kid eats meat. Spread the sauce on the mini bagel, then the cheese, then the meat, and then the veggies, place in oven for about 2-3 minutes, and serve after cooling. This a great snack, the kids can also be included in the preparation which will make it even more enjoyable for them!

4. Fruit Kabob- this is delicious and fun to eat what you'll need are some toothpicks, or even a chopstick, some cheese; cheddar ,Swiss, and or monterey jack, and some fruit, any kind of fruit is good, so pick your kids favorite fruit (grapes,pineapple,apple, watermelon...). Take the stick and place a chunk of cheese first then a piece of fruit, then a chunk of cheese and continue, (you can place the cheese and fruit anyway you want to.) The kids can also help with this one too. Be sure not to leave cheese out too long.

***** Supervise children when using the toothpicks or the chopsticks; they pose as a potential hazard.

5. Low-fat or plain yogurt topped with mixed fruit, and granola- yummy!

6. Peanut Butter and Jelly on Wheat Bread with three slices of a red delicious apple

7. Graham Cracker Sandwich- You'll need some graham crackers, peanut butter and fruit. Spread peanut butter on one of the graham crackers, then place some banana slices on top, and then place another graham cracker on top to make a sandwich. This is easy and fun to make. Serve this with some apple juice, or your kid's favorite fruit. You can place any fruit on the graham cracker that your kid enjoys, it's just easier to handle with soft fruit.