Highlights
- Learn why snacks matter for kids
- Discover energizing and healthy snack ideas
Fuelling Active Growing Bodies
Snacks are an important bridge between mealtimes. Children have high energy needs and small stomachs and may have trouble eating a lot at one time. Spacing snacks out between meals will allow children to develop an appetite for their next meal.
Include one or more foods from Canada’s Food Guide. This could be a vegetable or fruit, a whole grain or a protein food. Get children involved in coming up with a list of snack ideas. Here’s a few to get you started:
- Peach slices and cottage cheese
- Smoothie made with milk, yogurt and fruit
- Whole wheat pita bread and hummus
- Broccoli with yogurt dip
- Whole grain crackers and cheese slices
- Yogurt parfaits with berries and oats
- Whole grain cereal, sliced banana and milk
- Cucumber and cheese tortilla roll up
It’s important to consider dental health when planning snacks for school, especially since children may not have an opportunity to brush their teeth during the school day.
Limit sugary foods and drinks such as:
- Pop, sports drinks, fruit juice and fruit drinks
- Soft, sticky sweets that stick to the teeth such as toffee, chewy candy, rolled-up fruit snacks and fruit leather
- Hard candy and lollipops that stay in the mouth for a long time
Did you know? Adding firm cheese to snacks helps protect your child’s teeth.
For more information about dental health, order a copy of our brochure Dental Health: Good Habits Start Early
