Apart from the main food, Mother can also meet the nutritional needs of children from snacks. There are a variety of healthy snacks for children that you can choose from. These healthy snacks certainly contain a variety of nutrients and are good for child growth and development.
Children need energy through healthy food to play and learn. Even though he has eaten three times a day, the energy obtained from the main food may not be enough to support his activities and growth.
Well, as a solution, you can give your little one healthy snacks between meals. In addition to meeting your little one's nutritional needs, eating healthy snacks can also keep him motivated and awake.
What are the First Steps to Introducing Healthy Snacks to Children?
Children usually like snacks that contain fat and high in sugar and salt. Well, it's not easy to divert a child's penchant for consuming this type of snack, so parents must do it gradually.
This gradual change will make it easier for children to adjust to a healthy diet. Mothers can start doing this by limiting the portion of children's snacks. For example, if your child is used to eating potato chips 3 times a day, limit it to only 2 times.
What Does Healthy Snack Look Like for Children?
If the transitions made above have gone well, it's time to get your little one to eat healthy snacks. Healthy snacks are not only able to meet the nutritional needs of your little one, but also support the growth and development of children and keep their weight normal.
Mothers can make snacks that contain carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, with low sugar and salt content. Foods rich in protein or fiber are good for your little one, because they can improve digestion and improve brain function.
In addition to the above, the following is a guide for healthy snacks for children that you can try:
1. Make snack be a fun activity
Interesting forms of food can certainly increase children's interest in eating. For example, printing rice or pudding resembles the shape of a cat or rabbit.
In addition, introducing new ways of consuming food can also be used as a means to attract children's interest. For example, if your child is used to using a spoon and fork, try giving him chopsticks to eat.
2. Sweet snacks can be healthy too
Not all sweet foods can be bad for children's health, you know. Mothers can still give sweet snacks to children, such as low-fat pudding, yogurt, or fruit, such as mangoes, apples, and dates.
Mother can also make juice or smoothies from milk and fruit, fruit salad with yogurt without sugar, or satay from fruit and vegetables.
3. Keep children away from food junk food
Junk food is a term for foods that contain no or little nutrition. This type of food is certainly not healthy for the Little One.
Therefore, mothers are recommended to keep their little ones away from food junk food from an early age so that he is not used to eating these foods and prefers healthy foods.
4. Recommend with whole grains
Whole grains in the form of cereals and breads are good for consumption by children. High fiber content will make children feel full longer and prevent obesity.
5. Don't get hung up on packaging labels
Foods labeled low-fat or fat-free can be high in calories and salt. While foods labeled free of cholesterol, may contain high sugar.
Therefore, Mothers need to be more careful in paying attention to the nutritional table in the food and drinks consumed by the Little One.
6. Provide a breakfast menu as a snack
You can also prepare healthy snacks as a child's breakfast menu. For example, bread with eggs or whole grain cereal with banana slices. This menu is certainly more nutritious than eating packaged processed foods like nuggets or sausage.
In order for children to get used to eating healthy snacks, parents must set an example and be a good example, because children will usually follow the habits of their parents.
Involve children in the process, for example by making or decorating snacks together. If your child has difficulty eating and you are worried about their growth and development, talk to your doctor about this.
