Healthy Snacking – Hints & Tips

23 / 05 / 2023

Healthy Snacking – Hints & Tips

Healthy snacking is reliant on planning and shopping. What we have in our cupboard is what we are going to graze on at home.

A little planning before visiting the supermarket goes a long way towards having things we want to eat in our cupboards, and reducing the number of things we might not want our kids (or ourselves!) to eat.

If we want to eat less cake, chocolate and crisps, then buying less (or none at all) in the supermarket is a good place to start. It sounds pretty simple, but life for the average family nowadays is so busy that we rarely take the time to stop and re-evaluate the little things that can have a big effect on our lives.

Fresh fruit is also a simple place to start. Some parents are concerned about sugar content and fructose levels, but when comparing fresh fruit to a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps, it’s a far superior snack food. It’s also high in fibre and water.

Branch out here, too: many parents get caught up with apples, bananas and oranges, but there is a whole other world of fruit out there that is really interesting and fun. Some kids love mango, passion fruit, all forms of berries, grapes and satsumas. Fresh chunks of pineapple and ripe melon are always winners, too. And the best bit? These can all be prepared for kids’ lunchboxes.

Nut butters, such as almond or hazelnut, are also super-tasty on slices of apple or banana, or on top of crackers or oatcakes. Tahini (think of it as peanut butter made of sesame seeds rather than peanuts) is a great one, too – high in calcium and omega 6 and 9, and also great on rice cakes.

5 TOP TIPS FOR GETTING KIDS TO EAT MORE FRUIT & VEG

1. Veg soup is a great way to ‘hide’ the veg while young palates are still developing. We often serve veg soup in a bowl with some brown rice to our kids, and they will nearly always eat it.
2. Avocado is great for getting your kids into the habit of eating healthy fats. We often put it on rice cakes or crackers for them, and top with some blueberries or even bee pollen to make it look bright and colourful. Here’s a great guacamole recipe.
3. Homous is savoury and delicious, and great with carrot sticks, or on some sort of crunchy cracker.
4. Try cooking veg that they can pick up and eat – think chunks of sweet potato, squash, green beans, and even asparagus.
5. Porridge makes a great, healthy brekkie with dried fruit and honey. In warmer months, try this beautiful Bircher muesli recipe for a cooler version.