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Is it just my child or do all toddlers want ALL the snacks? My little one is a snacker, especially in the afternoon, which can sometimes spoil his dinner appetite. So I want to give him something healthy because it is easy (and happens all too often at our house) to give him multiple servings of goldfish and then he won't eat his dinner. So I have compiled a list of healthy snacks. I hope this gives you some great ideas for what to serve your little one.
Before we get to the snack ideas, I am sharing a little information to keep in mind as you decide what to give your kids and before grocery shopping.
Snack Tips
According to Kids Health, healthy snacks are a great way to provide balanced nutrition for your toddler, and so should consist of fruits, veggies, whole grains, dairy, and proteins. Additionally, food options are a great way to give your child a sense of control, so offering two or three options is a great idea.
Some other tips according to Kids Health and healthychildren.org:
Have healthy snacks in the house, because toddlers will ask for what they know is available
Be sure to avoid choking hazards
Make junk food an occasional treat - avoid processed foods and added sugar
Use snack time to increase fruit and veggie consumption
Encourage new foods, but do not force them
Use appropriate portions (toddler portions should be about 1/4 the size of an adult portion)
Do not use food as a reward or bribe
Choose brightly colored fresh foods
Model healthy food habits
Time out snacks appropriately, so your child is hungry for meals
Most children need three meals and two snacks per day
75 Toddler Snack Ideas
Pro Tip: combine two from the list below from two different categories (example. Fruit and protein). If you are serving a packaged food like goldfish or veggie straws, serve it with something more nutritious such as a fruit or veggie.
Fruit:
Bananas
Apples - shredded or cut really small
Grapes - halved or quartered
Watermelon (cubed)
Strawberries (sliced)
Peaches
Oranges or Tangerines
Pears
Pineapple
Mangoes
Kiwi
Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Applesauce
Baked Apple Slices
Canned Fruit or Dole Fruit Bowls (check the added sugar - best to get 0 added sugar)
Dried Fruits (Small amounts - they often have a lot of sugar)
Veggies
Cooked Broccoli
Cooked Carrots
Cubed Avocado
Cucumbers (sliced or diced)
Bell Peppers (thinly sliced)
Cherry Tomatoes (halved or quartered)
Peas
Edamame
Shredded Carrots
Green Beans
Olives
Snap Peas
Celery Sticks
Whole Grains:
Graham crackers
Cheerios
Muffins (I have bought the Veggies Made Great Muffins at Costco and they are a hit with my son)
Whole grain crackers
Tortilla
English Muffin
Overnight Oats
Waffles
Pancakes
Rice Cakes
Pretzels
Dairy
Cheese slices or chunks
Yogurt (full-fat plain - check the sugar content on the flavored yogurts)
Cottage Cheese
Milk
Protein:
Beans
Hummus on crackers, bread, or thinly sliced veggies
Deli meat (cut up as small as needed)
Eggs
Cubed Chicken
Tofu
Nut-Butters
Combination ideas:
Avocado Toast
Sandwich (cubed)
Smoothies (with no added sugar)
Trail Mix
Quesadilla
PB&J crackers
Apple Nachos - apple slices (thin) with peanut butter spread or drizzled on top and mini chocolate chips or sprinkles sprinkled on top
Celery & peanut butter
Chicken Salad on Crackers
Veggies & Hummus
Crackers & Pimento Cheese
Tortilla Wraps (tortilla, meat, cheese, or any combo your little one likes)
Pre-Packaged Snacks:
So let's face it, sometimes we need pre-packaged snacks as we are so often busy and on the move, try to serve with a fruit or veggie when possible.
Goldfish
Pretzels
Veggie Sticks
Peanut butter sandwich crackers
Cheese Sticks
Yogurt and applesauce pouches (limit added sugars)
Grain Bars (Watch the added sugar here! We like LaraBars, CereBelly Bars, Happy Tot Super Foods, and Yumi Organic Bars)
Cheez-Its
MadeGood cookies
Animal Crackers
Remember Mama, you are doing a great job! You got this!
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