Kiddos love to snack just as much as adults, but there are a lot of hidden dangers like excess sodium and added sugar lurking in the snacks we all love. So, to make your kiddos snacking selections a little more healthy, we have some healthy alternatives to snacks that kiddos love!
Apple Fries
French fries are all the rage for pretty much every age group, BUT they are packed with unhealthy fats and lots of salt that no one really needs. Instead, make apple fries for your kiddos! While apple fries will not taste like french fries, they look just like them and will give your kiddos the same snacking sensation. To make them, just take an apple and cut it into long “match sticks.” If your kiddo likes to dip their fries, use no-sugar-added yogurt for dipping!
Homemade Potato Chips
While some potato chip brands like Terra Chips are pretty healthy, most brands pack on unhealthy fats and lots of salt, just like french fries. You can make really tasty sweet potato chips at home with just two ingredients! You’ll need regular potatoes or sweet potatoes and olive oil – that’s it! First, set your oven to 400 degrees. With a mandolin (be careful), cut your potatoes into super thin slices, make them as thin as possible. Next, put all your slices into a bowl, cover with olive oil and toss to coat the slices. On a lined baking sheet, lay out all the potato slices in an even layer, not overlapping. Finally, bake them for about 10-20 minutes, watching them to make sure they don’t burn. When they start to get crispy, take them out and enjoy! Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper if desired, but don’t go overboard on the salt!
Frozen Yogurt Bites
Ice cream is every kiddo’s dream, but it is full of processed sugar. For a healthier alternative, try making frozen yogurt bites. You will need no-sugar-added or plain yogurt, granola your fruit of choice. Start out with your yogurt in a bowl. Try to avoid yogurts sweetened with artificial sweeteners or added sugar. If you can’t find any, just buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with about a tablespoon or honey or agave nectar. Next, sprinkle granola into the yogurt and stir (again, try to find no-sugar-added granola). Next, layout paper cupcake liners onto a sheet pan or in a cupcake pan. In each cupcake liner, spoon in about 2 tablespoons of your yogurt mixture and top with your kiddo favorite fruit, like chopped mango, strawberries, bananas or blueberries. Stick your yogurt cups into the freezer for a few hours so they can get firm. Once they are frozen, take them out and let your kiddos enjoy a healthy frozen treat!
Dried Cranberries (Craisins)
If your kiddo loves candy, try introducing them to dried cranberries (craisins) instead. Craisins are sweet and tart, making them a great alternative for chewy candies. There is no recipe involved here, you can just buy craisins from your local grocery store! Add them into your kiddo’s lunch box for a healthy sweet treat at school!
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