Healthy Snacking

Healthy Snacking for your smile

Healthy snacks are important for kids (and adults) to help manage hunger and improve nutrition.  Snacks give you a boost of energy between meals and can be used to maintain good health, to help avoid overeating at meals, and aid in adding nutrients for picky eaters.  The timing and amount of food offered as snacks is as important as the content.  Set snack times to avoid grazing or eating too close to meals, for example 10am and 3pm.  Snacking can increase your risk of cavities – so be aware of sugary snacks and frequency of them.

Snail Bites

• 1 slice of wheat bread
• 3 grapes
• 6 pretzel sticks
• Peanut / almond butter
• Jelly

Cut crust away from bread.  Spread a thin layer of peanut butter and jelly onto the bread.  Roll it up and slice into 3 segments.  This is the “snail body”.  Place segments on their side (see photo).  Attach 2 pretzel sticks into each grape as the “snail head”  and lay beside the “body”.  Eat and enjoy!

Butterfly Bites

• 2 Celery sticks
• 4 pretzels
• Raisins or mini chocolate chips
• Nuts (optional)
• Cream cheese or peanut butter

Spread cream cheese or peanut butter into the celery sticks.  Place the pretzels as wings into the chosen spread.  Use raisins or mini chocolate chips as the eyes and nuts as the antenna.  Serve and enjoy!

Suggestions for Healthy Snacks