Getting kids to develop a taste for healthy snacks is a sort of everyday, general concern of parents. You’ll be mostly caught wondering, “Does my child eat healthy food or gorge on too many fried items?” Healthy snacks provide not only nutrition to the child’s body but also form eating habits from early years. And how healthy snacking is incorporated into your child’s diet can be a fun and rewarding experience in the all-round growth of your child. It might make this healthy snacking an enjoyable thing and look forward, nudging your child toward far better food choices that will support overall good health and development.
Why Healthy Snacks?
Healthy snacks play a very significant role in providing the energy that children require for their active lives. They help maintain stable blood sugar levels to feed growth and foster brain development. Wholesome snacks prevent overeating during meals and reduce the intake of junk foods.
Tips for Healthy Snacking
- Visual appeal of the snack: Include a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables for a more appealing snack time.
- Balance: Snacks should include some combination of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
- Portion Control: Serve small portions to keep children satisfied without overeating.
- Involve Children: Let children help in preparing snacks to increase their interest in healthy eating.
Dr. Swati Vats, the co-founder of Podar Prep has her views on apprehensions in the minds of parents as to what their kids eat. She lays emphasis on avoiding junk food, particularly during brain development years. Additives in the junk food affect the neuron growth of the brain. She further stresses that there should be five food groups in the diet of children in order to maintain overall health and immunity. She stresses that children learn by example, so modelling healthy eating is really important. As a parent, one has to keep trying, even occasionally concealing added ingredients inconspicuously in the food.
Healthy Snack Ideas
Sweet Treats:
- Fruit Chaat Skewers: Skewer pieces of banana, apple, pomegranate, and papaya. Sprinkle with chaat masala for a tangy twist.
- Yoghurt Parfaits: Layer thick, creamy yoghurt with granola and fresh mango or mixed berries for a delicious and healthy snack.
Savoury Snacks:
- Veggie Sticks with Hummus: Serve cucumber, carrot, and bell pepper sticks with a side of spicy chickpea hummus.
- Cheese and Whole Wheat Crackers: Pair sliced paneer with whole wheat crackers.
Light Snacks:
- Apple Slices with Nut Butter: Spread almond or cashew butter on apple slices for a quick, nutritious snack.
- Trail Mix: Mix roasted peanuts, cashews, raisins, and dried coconut pieces for an energy-boosting treat.
Heavy Snacks:
- Mini Sandwiches: Use whole wheat bread to make small sandwiches with paneer tikka, cucumber, and mint chutney.
- Stuffed Mini Peppers: Fill mini bell peppers with a mixture of spiced mashed potatoes and peas, topped with a sprinkle of chaat masala.
Conclusion
One of the most important things for a child’s growth and development is consuming a healthy diet. Providing healthy and enjoyable snacks to children can assist parents in giving them the nutrition they need to be healthy. Podar Prep’s inclusive curriculum and encouraging environment are geared on the idea that a healthy diet should be ingrained from an early age.
Looking to inculcate healthy eating habits in your child? Come and join Podar Prep today for a great start to health!
