Healthy Snacks for Toddlers
Got a picky eater? Many tastes are acquired so while your child may initially refuse certain foods, he may also eventually learn to like them. Because of this, parents should encourage children to try new foods on a regular basis. Ask your child to taste the new food and describe it back to you. Talk to your children about what is in the food – protein for muscles, carbohydrates for energy or calcium for strong bones.
Healthy Foods for Toddlers
As you introduce new foods and test the waters to see what your child will eat for the time-being, try these healthy snacks:
- Cheerios or puff cereals
- Steamed veggies
- Small pieces of tender meat (such as deli meat)
- Fresh fruit (apples, raspberries, bananas, sliced grapes, pears) dipped in yogurt
- Vanilla wafers or graham crackers dipped in yogurt
- Sliced cucumbers and hummus
- Low-fat or nonfat milk
- Cottage cheese with pineapple chunks
- Oatmeal with sliced peaches
- Ritz crackers with low-fat cream cheese
- Yogurt creamsicles (combine ½ cup plain yogurt with ½ cup fruit puree and freeze), if over the age of 12 months
Children 8 months to 1 year of age will be able to eat small portions of only some of the snacks listed above. It is recommended that cow’s milk and honey are not offered until after 1 year of age.
Avoid common choking hazards such as nuts, seeds, popcorn, and small round foods (like whole grapes) until at least age 4. Always cut grapes and use caution with foods that require a lot of chewing (sticky candies, pretzels). Always supervise your eating child to prevent complications from choking. If you have any questions about what your child should be eating or avoiding, consult your pediatrician.
Healthy Habits for Any Age
To ensure that your child will eat table foods, make snack foods a treat and, instead, try to incorporate small amounts of table food in snack-sized portions when your child is hungry.
As you teach the value of healthy eating, let your children know that snack food is not bad and that sweets can fit into a healthy diet – sometimes. It is fine to treat your family to ice cream or candy from time to time. This will show children that these foods are acceptable in moderation.
Nutrition
Pediatrics
