Toddlers often become hungry in between their main meals. That is when they need small meals or snacks to help them grow up strong. The healthier the snack, the healthier is the effect of growth on toddlers. Therefore, it is very important to distinguish between what is a healthy snack and what is an unhealthy snack for toddlers.
Moreover, what may be classified as a healthy snack for the average adult or teenager cannot automatically be considered as healthy for toddlers.
Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to help you decide on the ideal snacks for your toddlers:
Do’s –
- Use snacks that comprise ingredients that can be cut or sliced into small pieces. E.g. apples, pears and bananas.
- Use fresh foods rich in protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
- Serve snacks in small portions at regular intervals.
- Use fresh fruits sliced or cut into small pieces.
- Use natural snacks such as cheese, milk, yogurt, mini-muffins, fruit juices, and cereal.
Don’ts –
- Avoid snacks that may choke toddlers such as whole fruits and vegetables, hard candies, whole nuts, and seeds.
- Avoid preserved, processed or pre-packaged snacks.
- Refrain from using snacks that are too sweet, too salty, or too oily.
- Avoid artificial drinks such as sweetened sodas and soft drinks.
- Avoid fried snacks such as potato chips.