Children need snacks to keep their tummies full and to fuel their minds and bodies. All too often a snack comes out of a packet and is full of sugar and salt. It’s actually quite easy to find quick and healthy snacks that kids will love. These healthy (and tasty!) Valentine’s Day snacks for kids are perfect for February!
*Guest post by Dr Orlena Kerek of Snotty Noses
Helping Kids Eat Healthy
It is a great idea to think of a snack as a ‘mini meal’ with a bit of all food groups, including protein and even some fat. Fruit, in the form of fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts is a great place to start.
Did you know that most people don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables? Ultimately we’re aiming for half of what we eat to be fruit and vegetables. Most children aren’t too keen on many fruits and vegetables. I see childhood as a training ground. As parents or teachers, we want to teach children to like fruit and vegetables. We need to get them used to the idea of eating tasty fruit and vegetables frequently.
When we present children with snacks, a really easy idea is just to add some extra fruit. For example, if you’re used to giving your children a packet of biscuits/crackers/cookies, you could give them 1 or 2 (depending on size) and then some cut up apple or pears to go along.
You’ll be surprised that they often eat the fruit first!
Parents and teachers often love to have some fun, themed snacks for the holidays! Here are some cute, healthy valentine’s day snacks that your kids or students will love.
Apple Heart Flowers from Red Ted Art
Frozen Strawberry Yoghurt Bites from My Fussy Eater
Pink Pops from Cutting Tiny Bites
Sweetheart Smoothie from Cutting Tiny Bites
Valentine’s Bento Box from Red Ted Art
Valentine’s Lunch Idea from Red Ted Art
Sweet Potato Heart Biscuits from Cutting Tiny Bites
Heart Shaped Pita Chips and Hummus from Meaningful Mama
Valentine Snack Mix from Cutting Tiny Bites
Love Heart Biscuits from In the Play Room
Mango Strawberry Smoothie from Everyday Savvy
English Muffin Pizzas from Eats Amazing
Strawberry Granola Yoghurt Bites from Eats Amazing
More Healthy Snacks – for Anytime!
Looking for more healthy and tasty snacks? These are not “valentine’s” but you could easily make them into heart shapes.
Hummus and vegetables sticks You could cut up cherry tomatoes into little hearts.
Healthy Apple and Yoghurt Snack You could present it in a heart bowl or use red apples in the shape of a heart.
Apple Spice Muffins. These are super easy to make with kids. You could use heart shaped muffin molds to have cute little heart shaped muffins.
If you present your children with healthy options throughout the day, you won’t be so stressed about them eating their vegetables at dinner time.
Dr Orlena Kerek is a pediatric doctor and mother of 4 young children. She writes at SnottyNoses about connecting with your kids and teaching them how to live a healthy life, especially healthy eating habits.
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Alex
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