Processed foods are everywhere. When we look down the aisles of our supermarket, we see plenty of boxed snacks artificially designed to look colorful, taste surgery, and last forever.
I know it’s tempting to pick up a box of some processed snacks with your kids’ favorite Disney character, but your little one’s health is most important.
Making healthy snacks doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require some preparation. Here are some of my favorite healthy snacks for babies and toddlers.
Sweet potatoes are actually a vegetable. They have plenty of fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol and the risk for diabetes. They don’t have the same starch consistency as white or red potatoes, which means they have less sugar. If you bake them, you’ll also avoid unnecessary oil content. Plus every kid loves French fries!
This recipe is simple to make: just slice sweet potatoes, season to taste and bake. They go great with ketchup, lime, or vinegar.
2. Smoothies
Kids love smoothies because they’re naturally sweet and colorful. They’re packed with nutrients, which is great too. There are countless variety of smoothies you can make, but most start with nonfat vanilla or Greek yogurt, a fruit base, and organic juice.
Here’s a list of smoothies for kids
Sometimes the best way to get vegetables into our kids’ mouths is to hide the taste. Over time, they’ll associate pleasure with the healthy food and eat them on their own, but for now it’s OK to use a dip or sauce to get the job done. This Asian peanut dip makes an excellent complement to any finger vegetable (like sugar snap peas, green beans, carrot sticks, cucumbers, etc.) or crackers.
4. Mini Whole-Wheat Apricot Muffins
Muffins are a perfect snack for babies and toddlers because they’re easy to handle and you bake pretty much anything you like inside. Fruit, naturally, is most appealing with a wheat flavor, but you can try zucchini, spinach, and even peppers. These are soft and easy to eat, so there’s no danger letting your little one run around and play while they eat.
Now what kid doesn’t like pizza? 
Obviously you don’t want to make an entire pizza for a snack, and traditional pizza has way too much bread. These mini pizzas are simple, light, and easy to make in a pinch. Add a bit of salsa and cheese to small corn tortillas and bake them in a toaster oven or oven until the cheese melts. Simple!
Kids love these kebabs because they’re a unique way to present the ordinary sandwich. All the color is right there on the outside instead of hidden between bread. They’re also smaller and easier for little fingers to manipulate.
Here’s another way to serve fruit instead of processed sugar and make something ordinary look amazing. Making these is as simple as it looks – layered fruit, yogurt and a graham cracker topping.
You can make a tray of these and stick them in the fridge for big groups or to serve all week.
You don’t need bread to make a sandwich!
These simple sandwiches replace those unnecessary carbs with nutritious fruit. You can pack all sorts of healthy foods inside, but this recipe calls for peanut butter, granola, oats, coconut, and chocolate chips for a little flavor.
This is a simple recipe that can be made very quickly. Simply dice up some graham crackers over a cup of yogurt for a crunchy, healthy treat.
This one takes a bit of planning ahead, but you can make several at a time for the whole week. Poke a stick through each banana and freeze them for at least 15 minutes. They shouldn’t be rock-hard because next you’ll roll them in yogurt and you want it to stick to the banana.
Then, roll them in nuts. You can eat them immediately or put them back in the freezer for tomorrow.
What is your favorite go-to snack? Share with us in the comments!
Written by Doodle Pants Team
Doodle Pants is an exciting collection of stylish toddler leggings for girls and boys, wild animal prints, and charming original characters. Little ones (3 months to 3T) can squiggle and wiggle with ease thanks to a roomy seat, stretchy ribbed cuffs and a comfortable elastic waistband. They’re made with thick, flexible material that holds up and is easy to wash. Whether running havoc on the playground or dressing up for an impromptu dolly tea party, these are the perfect pieces for a frolicking fun time.
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