How do you feel about giving your child snacks?

What foods do you think make good snacks?

What to offer for snacks:

Think of snacks as little meals. To make snacks nutritious and filling, include protein, starch, and fat.

Here are some examples:

  • Bread or crackers with cheese or cheese spread and milk or fruit juice.
  • Cereal and whole milk.
  • Cookies and whole milk.
  • Oreos or animal crackers are fine.
  • Oatmeal cookies, Fig Newtons, or graham crackers give more nutrition.
  • Fruit or vegetable juice with crackers and cheese toast.
  • Fresh or canned fruit, like bananas, melon, or peaches, with whole milk, cheese, or yogurt.
  • Milk mixed with fresh bananas, strawberries, or other fruit to make a shake.

When and how to offer snacks:

  • Feed your child about every 2 to 3 hours.
  • Give sit-down snacks. Don’t let your child eat on the run.
  • Time snacks to be between meals and at bedtime.
  • Keep snacks away from meals or she won’t be hungry for meals.
  • Let your child have her regular snack even if she didn’t eat much at the meal.

What to avoid:

  • Canned, bottled, or powdered fruit drinks. They are less nutritious than fruit juice.
  • Skim milk. It doesn’t have any fat, and your child will be hungry again soon.
  • Food that is hard to chew and swallow, like nuts, raw vegetables, or popcorn.
  • Having only fruit, juice, or vegetables for snacks. Those foods aren’t filling, and your child will be hungry again soon.