Snack Ideas – Beyond the Granola Bar

Okay, mamas, you asked for it, so today we are sharing snack ideas that are outside the granola bar.  I am in NO way saying that granola bars are bad and that I never use them, I mean my son LOVES Zbars! I have just learned so much about feeding my kids over the past 5 years, that I try to get a little more creative when it comes to our snacks!

Tips I’ve learned along the way…

• You are their best example.  Model a healthy relationship with food.  If you want your kids to eat more veggies, model that!  
• DOR Program: Division of Responsibility.  The parent decides when and what is offered the child decides what they will eat of the offered items and how much.  Kids are great at listening to their bodies.  Try to the avoid “take 1 bite or no dessert” approach. 
• Keep offering. I’ve read that it can take over 18 exposures to certain foods before a child may consider trying it! 
• Think of snacks as “mini-meals”. The idea is that we have 5 opportunities a day for our kids to meet their nutrition goals (3 meals and 2 snacks), so if think of it that way it may be a little less stressful!
• Try to include protein, carbs, and fat at each snack time.
• Kids become brand/color/type specific very quickly! Switch it up! I try to switch up with the brand, flavors, colors etc. Who reading this has a kid who only likes orange cheese?
• My kids love using food picks and also love when their snacks are in different types of containers. Mini muffin tins, little trays, and these yumbox snack sizes are our favorite for on-the-go!
• I took courses from FeedingLittles and learned so much. They offer a child course for picky eating as well as a BLW for babies.
• Kids love helping!  If they help prepare something they are more likely to try it! 

Snack Ideas

Banana Roll Up

Ingredients:

• Tortilla
• Peanut butter / nut butter / sun butter
• Banana
• Flax or chia seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Spread peanut butter or butter of choice on tortilla
2. Peel banana and lightly roll in chia seeds
3. Place banana on tortilla and roll up
4. Slice thinly and enjoy!

It’s that easy! For my 5 year old, I add the chia seeds to the peanut butter so when its rolled up he can’t see them.  The picky 5 year old suddenly doesn’t like it if he sees a chia seed.

Kids Charcuterie Board

Ingredients:

• Cheese
• Crackers
• guacamole 
• fruit
• veggies 
• peanut butter
• other dips
• cashews
• homemade mozzarella rolls
• Salami and/or deli meat

Serving suggestion:

I arrange on a plate and serve this family style for my kids.  They are able to serve themselves, make mini cracker sandwiches or eat what items they’d like!  

Yogurt and Granola

Ingredients:

• Full-fat plain greek yogurt
• Honey (kids 1 and older) or maple syrup if need to be sweetened (my kids don’t)
• Low sugar granola
• Chia or flax seeds
• Fresh or freeze-dried fruits 

Serving suggestion:

My kids love plain greek yogurt. We top it with Love Crunch Granola and chia seeds!  Drizzle a little local raw honey on top to add a natural sweetener if needed. We love Love Crunch granola because it is yummy and low in sugar! For babies under 1 I just use greek yogurt and chia seeds. Kids need fat in their diet, I suggest at least 2% or full-fat yogurt.

Energy Bites

Protein bites are not only a snack my kids love but I also love them! I usually double the ingredients because we go through these so quickly! These are also great snacks that the kids can help you prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1-2 scoops of protein powder
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 
• 3/4 – 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• ⅔ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Mix all ingredients together.  Refrigerate in a bowl for 30 minutes. Remove from fridge and roll into balls. Store in refrigerate in an airtight container.

Hummus Platter

Hummus platters are another favorite. So easy and a fun way to get some extra veggies in too! Like the Charcuterie board, I like to serve this family style!

Ingredients:

• Hummus
• Carrot sticks
• Cucumber slices
• Pita bread
• Olives
• Crackers / Veggie Straws

Rice Crackers

This is another fun one your kids can help prepare.  Take rice cakes and top with a spread like a peanut butter, chocolate hummus, yogurt, or guacamole. You can add fresh fruit on top and decorate with a cute face! 

More Snack Ideas!

Want more ideas? I’m sharing some bonus snacks that our family also loves!

• Veggie Straws and hummus or guacamole dip
• Apples and greek yogurt or peanut butter as a dip
• Crackers topped with peanut butter, hummus, or cream cheese
• Mini banana sandwiches – slice bananas and place peanut or sunbutter in the middle and form banana sandwiches.
• Piece of toast! Yup simple. Top with nut butter and smashed fruit or with butter and mashed avocado. Serve with a side of fruit or top toast with banana or mashed fruit.
• Mini pizza – use a mini bagel or english muffin – spread marinara and cheese and place in toaster oven or oven until toasted.
• Apple rounds- thinly sliced apple O’s and top with greek yogurt or peanut butter
• Pretzels and hummus served with veggies and cheese stick

There you have it, so many snack ideas! I hope you found a few ideas that you can add to your snack routine. What are some other favorite snacks you offer your kiddos?