Healthy Snacks

[mommyofemma]

My 18 month old DD has recently started wanting to snack a lot more. I am needing some ideas of what you let your child snack on that is healthy!

[Raene]

How about nori (the seaweed)? My DD has always loved crunching on it whether it's wrapped up with rice or just plain and flat.

Smoothies are great...you can even make green smoothies with mostly fruit and a small bit of greens...kale, parsley, chard, cilantro...anything green really. Those are a hit with us too.

Dehydrated apple rings. Fresh fruit with a variety of healthy dips. Frozen banana "ice cream" made in the blender with just frozen bananas and a small bit of water to blend (sometimes I add tahini too!).

[Messac888]

My kids have always been huge fans of 'snack trays' which are simply an egg carton filled with different little snacks (I usually cut the carton in half so there are 6 compartments). They love frozen peas, tiny chunks of cheese, hardboiled egg, sesame sticks, raspberries, strawberry slivers, tomato slices or wedges, etc, etc, etc! I try to avoid frozen corn since it makes for nasty diaper washing the next day, but that's another idea if yours doesn't have a corn-digestion issue. Anything produce- and I usually fill one egg carton cup halfway with some Newmann's ranch dressing because dip just seems to be exciting and fun for them- and makes them more likely to eat the veggies. OH, I also cut up cauliflower and broccoli into tiny florets, carrots into matchstick size, etc. The possibilities really are endless. They also love sunflower seeds, which are easier to chew up at 18 months of age than almods or something else would be. So anyway, I hope that helps!

[cathe]

I try to include protein/good fats as well as complex carbs in a snack:

- Fruit (strawberries, peaches, orange wedges, melon etc.) with yogurt for a dip

- apples or carrot sticks with almond or peanut butter to dip.

- Toast or english muffins with almond butter

- Cream cheese and jam sandwiches

- fruit and string cheese

- quesadillas

- trail mix

- smoothies

- homemade low sugar/whole grain muffins -- I make a bunch and stick in the freezer. They thaw very quickily and are good to take to the park/beach, etc.

[lil_earthmomma]

My toddler loves frozen mixed veggies!

His other favorite snacks include, cubed ham and cheese, cucumber and tomato chunks, fruit of all kinds, homemade pretzels, craisens, homemade granola, nuts of all kinds (his faves are pecans, pistachios, and cashews) tortilla wedges with cheese melted on them, baked sweet potato fries... That's all I can think of at the moment!