Healthy Snack Ideas In Honor of National Nutrition Month!

Posted March 10, 2017

Kids may not always want to eat their veggies, particularly if they’re not deep fried or nearly drowning in salt or sugar. Still, there are many compelling reasons to help your kids develop healthy eating habits, one of which is their smiles. A healthy diet helps to give your kids the fuel they need to grow up strong, healthy and with lots of energy. March just so happens to be a great month to make a renewed effort to help your whole family eat healthier, too, in honor of National Nutrition Month. Fortunately, there are a lot of healthy snack ideas your kids are likely to love!

Consider These Fresh Alternatives to Traditional Treats

Most kids come home from school hungry for an afternoon snack. Unfortunately, many of the prepackaged foods parents turn to in order to quickly satiate those appetites can be bad for young smiles. Instead of sugary treats, consider healthier alternatives that will still elicit smiles, but that will also provide your kids with great nutrients. They even come with your pediatric dentist’s seal of approval!

• Flavored yogurts are often sweetened with sugars, which can be bad for dental health. Instead of pre-flavored packages, let your kids favorite flavor serve as inspiration for your own creations. For instance, if they love strawberry yogurt drinks, mix plain yogurt with fresh strawberries for similar flavors with far less sugar. Add some unsweetened milk and ice, and blend for a delicious and nutritious smoothie.
• Granola bars can be so crunchy that they can damage teeth. Plus, many are high in sugar. So if your kids love granola bars, why not break out the oatmeal, instead? After all, there’s no rule that says it’s just for breakfast. Make a hot treat, or create “overnight oats” by placing plain oatmeal and milk in the fridge overnight. Mixing in peanut butter adds flavor and protein. Fresh fruit is another great addition. Just limit sweeteners, even natural ones like honey, to keep the snack smile-healthy.
• For chip and cracker fans, you likely know all too well that they can be less-than-filling. For a crisp snack with more nutritious punch, offer up fresh vegetable slices with a tasty dip like hummus or peanut butter. Celery and carrots are kid-friendly faves, but you could also offer up colorful bell pepper slices, chopped broccoli and snap peas!

Make Sure Your Kids Are Getting Preventive Care!

A healthy diet is important, as is daily dental hygiene. Still, every child also needs to see the dentist for regular preventive care. To schedule a visit for your child, contact Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda, at 214-321-4880.