The Best Children's Winter Snack Ideas
The Fruits of the Season
If you are wanting to give children a healthy option, look for fruits and vegetables that are in season during cold winter months. This way, they are fresh and have a better taste. Fruits such as mandarin oranges, cranberries, apples, pomegranates, pears, grapefruit, and persimmons are all flavorful and sweet.
A fruit salad can be made ahead and used for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. Mix together three to four varieties of the fruit of your choice, such as chopped apples, diced pears, or pomegranate seeds, and toss with about four ounces of low fat vanilla yogurt. If you are preparing this for older children, throw in some almond slivers and add a dash of cinnamon for some extra holiday flavor. If you are serving this to very young children, use a melon baller to form fun shapes out of the fruit.
Use winter’s bounty of vegetables to make wholesome snacks for the kids. Avocados can be made into a healthy guacamole dip. Simply mash them with some mild salsa, and serve with low fat corn tortilla chips. Avocados are a good source of vitamin C, protein, and Omega 3. Snow peas are a ready made food loaded with vitamins C and A, as well as iron.
There are many varieties of squash, such as butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash, that are in season. Use them to make muffins, or puree them into party dips for the holidays. Squash contains more than enough vitamin A to meet the daily requirements and provides a good amount of vitamins C, K, B6, and folate. It also contains beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, and fiber.
Cucumber slices, and black or green olives, served with whole wheat crackers are a great idea for children’s winter snack ideas and can be served at their holiday parties.
Children on the Move
For the child who never stops moving, even in the cold of winter, there are some superb snack options to take to-go. A sandwich bag full of baby carrots and small container of homemade ranch dip is a winning combo. Use plain light yogurt, instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, for the ranch dip to keep it healthy.
Another favorite is low fat string cheese wrapped in a small whole wheat or whole grain tortilla. Simple to make and to eat, it provides calcium and fiber. Trail mix is also excellent for appeasing those appetites during after school sports and play dates. A mixture of nuts and dried fruits gives children protein and healthy fats.
Winter Fun
Finally, if you are trying to keep everything in balance, it’s important to give children their treats as well. Some children’s winter snack ideas should just be yummy, fun to make and eat. Snow men made from marshmallows and hot chocolate made with cocoa and milk are kid-pleasing favorites that should not be resisted. Relax and enjoy a variety of easy-to-make snacks for children of all ages.
Resources
Healthy Recipes for Kids www.healthy-recipes=for=kids.com
Winter Fruits and Vegetables-www.foodfit.com
Eating in Season-Fall & Winter Fruits & Vegetables-www.hubpages.com
Recipes-www.kidshealth.org
