5 Tips for Making Snack Time Count
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Snack time is a vital part of childhood, and of course you want to fill your little ones up with nutritious snacks that are also fun for them to eat. Snacking on-the-go is made easy and super wholesome with these tips and tricks
Pay Attention to Labels
Forget the extra additives. When it comes to choosing foods for your kids, you want to avoid anything with ingredients you don't recognize or can’t pronounce.
Select snacks that are made from real ingredients like organic fruits, veggies, dairy ingredients, legumes, grains, meats, and poultry that are raised without added antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. This way we can sleep better knowing the food we put in our little one’s bodies is nutritious and without potentially harmful substances.
Go for Organic
Choosing nutritious foods for snack time can often be confusing with so many choices available. Many items are labeled natural, but what does that really mean? It is best to choose items that are certified USDA organic. This guarantees they are produced without the use of potentially harmful pesticides or genetically modified organism (GMOs). Choose foods that have no artificial flavors, and contain pure ingredients.
Load Up on Fruits and Veggies
Fruit and veggies are delicious and nutritious snacks full of vitamins, fiber, and nutrients. Grab some whole fruit like apples, pears, or oranges. You can make it more fun with a variety of berries that also provide antioxidants. Bring along cute paper goods and have a picnic! You can display a mixture of fruit and veggies to make funny fruit faces. Use a whole banana and make a banana person.
If your baby is too young for finger foods or you don’t have time to cut up fresh veggies opt for an already made product like Ella’s Kitchen® pouch. These pouches come in a variety of flavors including wholesome ingredients like apples, green beans, raisins, pears mangoes, and papaya. These make for a quick and easy way to provide your kids with fruits and veggies.
Make Hydrating a Top Priority
Children need to keep drinking when running around the playground and playing sports, especially when it is hot and humid. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks with caffeine or artificial flavors. Instead reach for an organic fruit drink like Honest Kids.
These drinks are naturally sweetened with fruits and offer a great alternative to sodas. They have less than 10 grams of sugar per eight fluid ounces, and no additives or artificial flavors. This brand offers organize juice in pouches, glass bottles, teas, and sport varieties.
Offer Wholesome Alternatives to Sweet Snacks
Let’s face it; sometimes kids just want a cookie. When it comes to choosing cookies, choose ones that are made with high quality organic ingredients. Avoid treats with added refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Making smart snack choices should be considered as important as planning other meals for children. Be sure you are always choosing organic products, paying attention to labels, loading up on fruits and veggies, getting enough hydration, and offering wholesome alternatives.