A little about me: After many years of living in NY City, I have moved and settled with my family in a rural part of Northern Michigan, called Petoskey. Petoskey is located on beautiful Lake Michigan and the town vibe is a lot like a Hallmark movie. I live in Petoskey with my son, Spencer (7) and extremely supportive husband, Roger. I have been truly blessed with a great life. (OK, yes, I miss NY a little bit – mostly the food!)
A little about me and Fresh Baby: I LOVE to cook! I LOVE to write recipes! When I write recipes, I make them simple and tasty with flavors the whole family will love. I started Fresh Baby with my sister, Joanie, to share the simple secrets of making healthy great tasting meals with Moms and Dads – everywhere!
I’m here to answer your questions, so as my son would say “bring ‘em on!”
Snacks are an important part of the kid’s daily eating. Snacks and junk food are not the same things. Snacks give an energy boost during the day.
Here are few Grab n’ Go Snacks Ideas:
Dried fruit – there is a huge variety of dried fruits available today - apricots, raisins, dates, cranberries, blueberries, etc
Nuts – peanuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, and walnuts – a handful is a great energy boost.
Homemade granola or trail mix made from cereal, nuts and dried fruit
Fresh fruit pieces or a piece of whole fruit – apples, pears melon, mangoes, pineapple and grapes are just a few! Have cut up fruit on hand in the fridge. Paper cups and plastic spoons are a must for a “fruit cup” to go.
Sugar snap peas, baby carrots, grape tomatoes or green beans with ranch dressing for dipping.
Drinkable Yogurt
Lunch meat roll-ups with cream cheese and a cooked asparagus or green bean in the middle. Slice these into pieces, and make a great appetizer for parties.
Hard boiled egg – peel them before you are on the go.
Cheese cubes, slices or string cheese logs
Hummus with carrots and mini pita breads
Whole grain crackers or pretzels, brown rice crackers or chips. Look for whole grain labels and trans-fat free labels on packages.
Celery sticks filled with cream cheese and raisins or white bean dip and pine nuts
These all sound great! My kids really like pretzels and I always thought they were a better snack than potato chips or other chips. Am I correct in thinking that?
Not sure how I missed the question on Pretzels. Amanda, you are right. Pretzels are a healthier choice than potato chips. Potato chips are fried and high in fat. Pretzels are baked and contain little to no fat. Chips are also high in salt – pretzels have a lot less salt, but still taste great!
There are also some new pretzel brands that are made from whole grains. Whole grains have more nutrition than “enriched-type” grains (most common are white flour and white rice).
Yes I try to keep both of those on hand.I do try to cut back on how much junk food I buy but I love my chips.I think it is for the seasoings that are on them.
Mish
Location: Originally from the Home of the only 6 times Super Bowl Champs!
Posts: 12,099
Do you have a list of common fruits and veggies and how they work to help our bodies?
For instance, carrots are good for our eyes and help to make us see better...
I've found that if I tell my DD how each fruit or veggies works to help our bodies, she is more apt to try it. It doesn't have to be a complex explanation because she is only 5
Kids love to cook! There are so many different recipes that children can be a part of, share yours here!
