In addition to three full meals every day, many children also need morning and afternoon snacks. Your child’s snacks should be planned so that she is still hungry for lunch and dinner without experiencing an energy crash between meals.

 

 

Of course, be sure to avoid choking hazards with young children. Make sure that raw vegetables or apples are cut into large chunks.

Be careful with nuts because they can get stuck in a child’s throat.

And be cautious with sticky foods such as peanut butter with bread that can also get stuck in the throat when a child tries to swallow.

 

As a rule of thumb, avoid highly processed foods. Many breakfast cereals, pre-packaged lunches and sugary fruit drinks are full of processed foods and sugars with additives.

Drinks are especially tricky! While fruit juice may seem healthy, all of the fiber from the fruit is missing which leaves the juice mostly full of sugar.

In order to limit the options for unhealthy snacks, simply keep your home stocked with healthy snacks and keep those occasional treats out of sight from your children.

 

The best way to instill good habits is to start young, encouraging children to “eat the rainbow” and to appreciate brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

As always, be a good role model for your child! He is watching you closely and picking up on your habits. If he sees you reaching for an apple instead of a cookie, he is likely going to want to do the same.