Good kid snacks

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As parents, we hold most of the responsibility for the food choices our children  make on a daily basis. This is constantly challenged by our busy schedules and a very influential food industry. When offering food and snack choices to my three  children, I consider how I can encourage healthy snacking habits and thus hopefully children who are able to make these good choices on their own in the future. Here are some of my tips and ideas.

Prepare for snacks as you would meals. When schedules are tight with after school activities, staying one step ahead of your kids with having snacks ready  and knowing what is available will keep you from being over run by hungry kids when they come in the door from school or a practice. Packing a small cooler for activities immediately after school will help eliminate quickie mart runs too.

Keep snacks balanced. Provide protein, carbohydrates and good fat in your snacks to help satisfy the body and mind. This combination helps tell the body it is full, whether your kids know this or not, and hopefully have them moving on to something else more important like homework or playing outside.

Offer raw organic fruits, vegetables and nuts. Most everyone does not get enough of these, and cooking and processing in other snack foods greatly reduces  vitamins, minerals and enzymes that we need. Encourage your children’s taste buds to gravitate to this natural taste of single ingredient foods. Keep the focus on real food and not cans or packages of cookies and crackers.

Smaller is better. I like to use small teacup saucers as plates. We have gotten so conditioned to everything being “super sized.” My kids are almost mesmerized and more interested the tinier something is.

Presentation can be key. Sometimes when something looks good, kids are more willing to try it or may be less likely to complain about your choice.

So my approach is simple: As my kids rush through the door after school, I have something ready and try to slow them down if only for a moment to find out anything they will tell me about their day. This brief moment of snack time, if given the right attention, can provide a great opportunity to introduce new foods and encourage intake of some crucial vitamins and minerals through simple choices.

Lois England lives in Crestline and is the wife of Lee England and mother of R.L., Brice, and Harrison. She is a registered nurse and certified personal trainer.  Always an advocate and critic of all wellness issues, her focus with clients emphasizes improving postural weaknesses and flexibility.