Kids can work up a lot of energy throughout the day, and a lot of that energy takes more than three meals a day to feed. Snacks are a great way to harvest never ending energy as well as teach proper eating habits. It might be easy to reach for the oreos and gummy bears, but the snack habits that a child forms during their childhood are likely to be the snack habits that follow them throughout their life. Because of this, it is important that parents establish the right habits from the very beginning.

Plant the Seed

The first thing that parents should keep in mind is the seed of nutrition. There is nothing wrong with a cookie or piece of candy every now and again, but it is important that the main snack options are both tasty and healthy. Parents should focus more on veggies and dip, fruit, yogurt, or nuts. Focus on what snacks are best for different age groups and what offers the most nutritional benefit that children need throughout the day.

Making Healthy Snacks

Creating healthy snacks with the kids furthers the life habits that need to be established during early childhood. Parents can create special recipes with their kids, teach them how to cut veggies and fruit or create healthy meal plans. Try and teach them how healthy eating can benefit their body as well as how un-healthy eating can make it hard to do some of the things they enjoy. Parents should put their kids in the proper attire for creating messy snacks with old clothing as well as a hook and loop toddler belt to keep pants where they belong. Make learning fun by explaining the meaning of energy, healthy choices and nutrition by explaining it in a unique way.

What to Make

Healthy snacks do not have to be limited to carrots and celery. There are a lot of choices that parents, as well as kids, will love for the nutritional benefits and taste. Fruit is a great choice because of the sweet taste it offers and combining them with something like yogurt or peanut butter can add a little something extra. In order to make vegetables more appealing to kids, try offering ranch dip or peanut butter with those as well. Things like crackers and cheese or yogurt and granola are also great choices.

A little sweetness within a nutritious snack never hurt anyone, so here is one option for a healthy snack with a sweet touch.

Granola Dessert Bites

• 1 cup of granola
• 1 cup of oats
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 cup of chopped fruit (good choices are apples, pears or coconut)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup of chocolate pieces, melted

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Combine the granola, oats and fruit in a large mixing bowl
• Combine the sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small mixing bowl
• Combine ingredients in small mixing bowl with the granola mixture
• Once combined, add eggs
• Scoop into sprayed mini muffin tin
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes
• Top with melted chocolate