If you’re a parent, you know how it can be to provide healthy snacks for your kids when you’re busy. It’s not that you don’t want to give them snacks—you don’t have the time. You need quick, healthy snacks to make when you’re always busy, and these ideas will help you!
Honey Almond Apple Slices
Honey-flavored apple slices are a delicious, healthy snack option—and one of many things you can do with apples. The honey and almonds provide nutrients while being easy to digest—and with fiber from the apples, this snack will keep you feeling full far longer than most others!
Ingredients:
- 2 apples, cored and sliced (use a mandolin for even slices!)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons almonds, sliced
- 2 teaspoons butter
Directions:
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the apples, honey, and cinnamon.
- Stir to coat the apples with the honey mixture and cook until soft (approximately 5 minutes).
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and serve warm.
Banana and Strawberry Popsicles
These healthy treats are a great way to keep your child cool and hydrated during the hot months of summer. They’re easy to make, inexpensive, and can be made in just minutes!
Ingredients:
- 3 bananas
- 1 pint strawberries, washed and hulled
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Directions:
- Place banana slices into a blender.
- Add strawberries and blend until smooth. Add honey to taste.
- Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.
Homemade Trail Mix
Making your own trail mix is easy and inexpensive—gather the ingredients from the local grocery store. It’s important to have a large bag of homemade trail mix on hand when you need something quick for your child to eat; it will save money and be healthier than chips or candy bars!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granola (or your favorite cereal)
- 1 cup M&Ms or chocolate chips
- 1 cup raisins (or any dried fruit)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ½ cup nuts of your choice, unsalted
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour into a large ziploc bag or container and store in the pantry or freezer.
Delicious Dried Fruit
Dried fruit, which is full of fiber and vitamins, makes a healthy and quick snack for children. You can buy them or make your own by drying fruit in an oven or dehydrator.
Ingredients:
- Any fruit you like, peeled and sliced into large chunks (we recommend peaches, apricots, plums, figs, cranberries, and mangoes)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F.
- Place the fruit on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Bake for 2 to 3 hours, depending on how dry you want the fruit to be.
- If using a dehydrator, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
- Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the pantry or freezer.
Peanut Butter and Apple Sandwich
The fiber and protein in peanut butter sandwiches appeal to kids’ appetites and make the snack a better choice than other high-calorie foods. They also contain vitamin C, an important nutrient for immune health. In addition to being made with peanut butter, this sandwich can be made using other nut butter—such as cashew or almond butter.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices whole wheat bread
- 2 apples, cut into thin slices
- ½ cup peanut butter (or any other nut butter of your choosing)
- ¼ chocolate chips or raisins (optional)
Directions:
- Spread the peanut butter onto both of your slices of bread.
- Add apple slices to the peanut butter and combine both slices to make a sandwich.
- Adding some raisins or chocolate chips can make this snack more fun!
Conclusion
Good nutrition is essential to a growing child’s health and appetite. When every meal and snack is a challenge, throw some of these easy-to-prepare snacks into the mix and see if they can help. Whether you live too far away to do anything but order dinner or you’re too busy to cook, snacks are vital in helping your child stay healthy, happy, and ready for anything.
