Top 5 Healthy Snacks for Kids

Going to the grocery store you see the shelves full of junk foods targeted at kids for snack time. These foods are full of preservatives and sugars that wreak havoc on your child's health and behavior. To get your kids to transition from the junk, make it fun and give them lots of choices. If they get to pick, they'll be more apt to eat it without a fight. Below are some simple health snack alternatives that your kids will love.

1. What kid doesn't love finger foods, especially if they come with dip? Baby carrots, fresh broccoli or even belle peppers sliced up with a side of low fat ranch dressing is a fun healthy choice. Let your kids pick which one they want or give them a variety.

2. Celery can be pretty boring and flavorless for a kid. Spice it up and make ants on a log. Cut your celery sticks down so you have 2 or three from each. Spread some peanut butter on and then let the kids take over. Give them a small bowl with raisins in it to place on top of the peanut butter to create the ants on the log. Finding creative ways for kids to have fun with their food will encourage them to try new healthier snacks.

3. Cottage cheese can be a big hit as well. Serving it plain might be a big turn off, but this snack is always good accompanied by fruit. You can use your child's favorite fresh fruit or add a small can of fruit cocktail. Added fruit will make the snack bright and colorful as well as a sweet treat.

4. Do your kids like granola bars? Instead of getting those expensive bars that have added unnecessary ingredients like chocolate chips, buy granola in bulk. Stores like Win Co have bins and you can scoop out how much you want. Grab a tub of low fat vanilla flavored yogurt and some fruit. Mix them together and you have a fruit and yogurt parfait. Frozen strawberries, blueberries or raspberries are great on top.

5. If your on the go but the kids are still going to need something to munch on grab some trail mix. Trail mix is loaded with dried fruits and nuts that will hit the spot and rejuvenate.

Make snack time fun and give them the opportunity help out. Let your kids be your guide to healthy snacks that they'll love. Getting to chose what they are going to eat will give them more motivation to happily gobble it down. If you need some creative help on how to encourage your kids to eat healthy snacks ask them. Get out all your ingredients and ask what creative ways you can mix them together. Then think of fun names for your new recipes. Now not only do your kids have healthy snacks but snacks that they have created and can be proud of.