Did you know that snacking can be good for kids?

Littler kids have tinier tummies that get full after eating a small amount, so nutritious snacks can help them get needed nutrients for healthy growth and development. Snacks can help bigger kids fill nutrition gaps, too. Kids might need to eat every three to four hours to give them a steady supply of energy.1

Wholesome snacks for kids are nutrient-rich, portion-controlled and built right into their eating plan—not extra, unplanned treats.

Try these tricks to promote wholesome snacking for kids

• Pack snacks with good nutrition. Offer nutritious snacks like fruits and veggies, which give kids important nutrients and help teach them good eating habits.
• Size it right. Snacks should be just enough to take the edge off their appetites and fuel them until the next meal. The right size will depend on your child's age, activity level and hunger level.
• Time it right. Serve snacks at least a couple of hours before meals so kids don't spoil their appetites.
• Let kids pick. Keep a set of easy-to-see snack baskets filled with wholesome options for kids to pick from. For instance, put one basket in the fridge with fat-free yogurt cups, low-fat cheese sticks, hummus and small bags of baby carrots. Keep one in the cupboard with raisins, nuts, cereals bars, and high-fiber cereals and crackers, and another on the counter with fresh fruit.

10 easy and nutritious snacks with kid-appeal

1. A bowl of their favorite Kellogg's® cereal with fat-free milk
2. Air-popped popcorn sprinkled with Parmesan cheese
3. Low-fat cheese with Kellogg's® All-Bran® crackers
4. Hummus with crunchy cut-up carrots, celery and cucumbers
5. Apple slices spread with peanut butter
6. A Kellogg's® Nutri-Grain® cereal bar (great for backpacks!)
7. A mug of vegetable soup
8. Fat-free fruit yogurt sprinkled with sunflower seeds
9. Keebler® graham crackers with a glass of fat-free milk
10. Special "trail mix" made with your kids' favorite Kellogg's® cereal, dried fruit and nuts

References:
1. American Dietetic Association. Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 3rd edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 2006.