You make sure to cook healthy meals for your child. You encourage him to stay active even if he isn’t all that interested in sports. But how can you make sure he’s making smart choices when you’re not around?
If he has a busy schedule—or even if he gets hungry between getting off the bus and dinnertime—he may just grab whatever food is around. And chances are it’s not the healthiest thing he could be eating. Stress the importance of healthy snacking. Try these ideas for nutritious snacks:
If he has a busy schedule—or even if he gets hungry between getting off the bus and dinnertime—he may just grab whatever food is around. And chances are it’s not the healthiest thing he could be eating. Stress the importance of healthy snacking. Try these ideas for nutritious snacks:
- Trail Mix. Combine whole-grain oat cereal with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
- Mini pizzas. Spread pizza sauce on top of an English muffin or mini pita. Sprinkle low-fat mozzarella cheese and your child’s favorite vegetables. Toast or bake at a low setting to melt the cheese.
- Ants-on-a-Log. Spread peanut butter onto celery sticks. Top with raisins.
- Baby carrots, whole grain crackers and fruit. Encourage your child to keep a few nutritious snacks with him when he’s not at home.
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/wellbeing/healthy_snacks.html
Source: "Smart Snacking," Teens Health, (c) 2007 The Parent Institute, a division of NIS, Inc.