Five Ways To Get Your Kids To Eat Healthy Snacks

When you consider that 25% of children’s calories come from snacks, it is easy to see just how important it is to make sure your kids are eating healthy snacks.  We confess up front that this is not an easy task to accomplish.  It’s like everything is working against us.  I for one, find it extremely difficult not to give in when my oldest child is throwing a temper tantrum because he wants some chips.  And then, if I do give in, I feel like I’ve failed because we all know that the parent is the gatekeeper when it comes to feeding their child.  

So, how are we to encourage healthy snacking amongst our kids to ensure they get the proper nutrition throughout the day?

Here are 5 tips that will help your child eat healthy snacks:

• It all starts when you write out your grocery list.  Only write down healthy snack foods that you will buy.  Set a precedent from the beginning and…
• Don’t give in at the grocery store.  This one is especially hard for those of us who take our children to the dreaded grocery store.  It’s almost as if everything is working against us in this environment.  Kids can tend to be cranky and, if your kids are like mine, point and grunt at all the food they want.  But, take heart and BE STRONG!  Stick to your grocery list!  Don’t buy chips, coke, etc…  They will just end up in your pantry and your kids will want to consume them later on.
• Stay away from fruit juices.  Most fruit juices are nothing more than concentrated sugar water.  Instead grab some 100% Orange Juice or milk.
• Sneak healthy food into the meals they eat.  That’s right.  Slice some carrots and add it to their favorite meal.  Or, put some peas into that can of soup.

And the hardest one of all…

• Model good snacking habits.  If you want your kids to grow up loving fruits and vegetables, you’re going to have to ‘love’ them as well.  

How do you get your kids to eat health snacks?  Let us know by leaving a comment.

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