Healthy snacks give your child the energy and nutrients they need to learn and play at school. As you plan snacks, think of them as “mini meals” that include two of the four food groups.
Try these simple, nutritious snack ideas:
Make snacks interesting by using a variety of shapes, colours and textures.
Check out this video for even more snack ideas!
From planning to packing, get everyone in the family involved when making snacks. Take your children grocery shopping and let them choose some of their favourite foods like breads, vegetables, fruit and yogurts. Use these shopping tips to help you guide your children in making healthy choices.
Helpful hint: Set aside time in the evening to pack lunches and snacks. You’ll be happy you did during the next day’s busy morning rush!
What about food allergies?
Schools have different policies when it comes to food allergies. Many schools have a nut-free policy throughout the whole school and some have policies just for some classrooms. Find out about the food allergy policy at your child's school. Once you know about the foods that need to be avoided, keep them in mind when reading the ingredient list on food labels and when packing lunches.
Back to school snacks can be nutritious and delicious! With a little planning and creativity, your kids will love snack time at school.
This article is being used with permission from EatRight Ontario. EatRight Ontario provides free nutrition advice from Registered Dietitians. Ontarians can get answers to healthy eating questions at 1-877-510-510-2 or by email at www.eatrightontario.ca. Dietitians of Canada acknowledges the financial support of EatRight Ontario by the Ontario Government.
Try these simple, nutritious snack ideas:
- Whole grain crackers with a cheese stick
- Fresh cut fruit with a yogurt dip
- Nut-free trail mix. Mix dried cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, and apple rings with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, along with your kid’s favourite cold cereal.
- A small tortilla wrap spread with Greek yogurt, some jam and a banana
- A smoothie made with vanilla yogurt, blueberries, apples and some orange juice
- An oatmeal cookie and yogurt cup
- Vegetables sticks (like cucumbers and carrots) dipped in hummus
Make snacks interesting by using a variety of shapes, colours and textures.
- Offer different types of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Jack, Swiss) in different forms (cubes, strings, slices and balls). To create a cheese ball, shred and then shape into balls.
- Switch up the vegetables and fruit. Make sure you have a variety in the fridge to choose from.
- Kids love to dip. Use cottage cheese, hummus, yogurt, or guacamole as healthy dips.
- Try some of the kid-approved recipes from EatRight Ontario’s Kids Recipe Challenge
Check out this video for even more snack ideas!
From planning to packing, get everyone in the family involved when making snacks. Take your children grocery shopping and let them choose some of their favourite foods like breads, vegetables, fruit and yogurts. Use these shopping tips to help you guide your children in making healthy choices.
Helpful hint: Set aside time in the evening to pack lunches and snacks. You’ll be happy you did during the next day’s busy morning rush!
What about food allergies?
Schools have different policies when it comes to food allergies. Many schools have a nut-free policy throughout the whole school and some have policies just for some classrooms. Find out about the food allergy policy at your child's school. Once you know about the foods that need to be avoided, keep them in mind when reading the ingredient list on food labels and when packing lunches.
Back to school snacks can be nutritious and delicious! With a little planning and creativity, your kids will love snack time at school.
This article is being used with permission from EatRight Ontario. EatRight Ontario provides free nutrition advice from Registered Dietitians. Ontarians can get answers to healthy eating questions at 1-877-510-510-2 or by email at www.eatrightontario.ca. Dietitians of Canada acknowledges the financial support of EatRight Ontario by the Ontario Government.
