Over these past couple months, parents have been spending more quality time with their children, due to coronaviruses stay at home order. Working parents have been able to catch up on some much-needed bonding time, whether playing board games, watching TV, or cooking a nice meal together. Since restaurants were operating at a minimum, parents have had more control over what their kids were eating. Home cooked meals, healthy snacks and less junk may have been the scenario at home. In a couple weeks children will be heading back to school with Covid-19 safety measures in place. During this time, parents want to ensure that their children’s immune systems continue to stay strong by incorporating healthy school lunches and safe social distancing practices. Here are six healthy snack ideas perfect for keeping your kids energized and focused throughout their school day.
Even though we cannot always have total control over what our children eat when they are outside of the home, we can ensure we do our part as parents and provide healthy snacks for school. A child spends a good chunk of their day at school where they are required to stay alert, focus and perform physically. All of this requires healthy eating habits in order to maintain concentration and have sustained energy throughout the day when needed. In this article we will be discussing healthy snack options for school aged children.
Fresh Fruits
Fruits are sweet, tasty, affordable, and full of antioxidants, ensuring our children get a healthy treat. Apples, pineapples, bananas, orange slices, and melons are perfect for cutting up and storing in a reusable container for your child’s snacks. Its nutrient content will help keep the kids full and energetic.
Hummus w/Fresh Vegetables
Hummus, a Mediterranean chickpea spread, is a tasty dip for fresh veggies, providing protein, carbs, and great flavor. I like it with baby carrots, but they’re also tasty with celery, raw broccoli, or whole grain crackers topped with cheese.
Coconut Chips
Coconut chips are a great and tasty alternative to regular potato chips. Crunchy and sweet, these snacks are rich in healthy fats and protein, providing balanced energy for the school day. Most brands have no artificial flavor and come in a variety of naturally flavored options, like cocoa and honey.
Protein Bar for the Picky Eater
This may seem unusual, but many of us have encountered a picky child who dislikes eating. Offering a clean ingredient protein bar keeps their energy up and stomachs full effectively. Look for a bar that contains staple ingredients like oats, greens and some form fiber. Look for bars that contain dates or honey as a sweetener vs pure sugar. Protein bars are better options than sugary snacks and soft drinks since they offer a sweet treat without empty nutrients.
Popcorn
Believe it or not, popcorn is a whole grain and is actually a healthy snack option for children. You can pop it fresh in the morning and it will stay fluffy and tasty until snack time at school. Choose lightly buttered options and avoid adding extra salt or butter as it diminishes their nutritional value. Always be cautious with popcorn and very young school aged children, as it can pose a choking hazard.
Supplements for Kids
When children are at school, we can’t control who they share snacks with or what they discard. Providing daily vitamins to children ensures they get essential nutrients, helping them perform their best at school.
Our children’s multi gummies and chewable tablets are tasty multivitamins, each offering great benefits in different forms. Both are formulated to meet children’s daily recommended intake of key nutrients. Noo-tropics Omega 3 Immunity Gummies enhance focus and attention, aiding children’s academic performance throughout the year. Omega 3 deficiency has been linked to children with ADHD, its supplementation has had profound effects on cognitive function. You can read more about it here. Overall, we may not control all of our children’s food choices, but we can enhance their snacks with added nutrition at school. The key is to balance healthy school lunches with vitamins for kids and wholesome foods at home.
As we prepare our children for school, let’s remind them of safe distancing and provide healthy snacks to boost their immune systems.
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