Healthy Snacks for Kids

How much should my child eat in a day?

Three main meals: In the morning, at midday and in the evening there should be a main meal for your child — many families usually eat a hot main meal at midday and cold ones in the morning and evening. It's best to avoid raw foods before bedtime, as these are harder to digest. Also pay attention to as regular meal times as possible — this ensures your child is supplied with energy evenly throughout the day. Regular times also promote a healthy biorhythm and create structure in your shared everyday life. But breaks between meals of two to three hours are also important.
Two snacks: For in-between meals you can offer your child healthy snacks, for example fruit, raw vegetables, muesli with milk or yogurt. A good mix of carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrients ensures that your child gets everything it needs for development and growth.
Five portions of fruit and vegetables: Over the day, nutrition experts recommend about five portions of fruit and vegetables. This is, of course, a guideline. If you sometimes don't manage to include something fresh in every meal, that's not necessarily harmful to your child.

Colorful kids' tableware for snacks and small meals

Creative and quick to make: Ideas for healthy snacks for kids

Children would probably already be happy if they were allowed to nibble a small sweet or munch a few chips from time to time. Occasionally that's okay. However, it's important that these snacks remain the exception.Healthy snacks for kids don't necessarily have to be elaborate and can usually be prepared very quickly.Pay particular attention to your child's age. Can their little teeth already chew crunchy vegetables, or should it perhaps first be a tasty fruit purée or yogurt? Maybe your child is already old enough to help you with the preparation? Then eating afterwards is all the more fun. Let our snack ideas inspire you!

Popcorn:This healthy snack is very easy to prepare. Put some vegetable oil or coconut oil in a pot and add corn kernels. Caution: Usually a smaller amount of kernels is enough than you think. Then quickly put the lid on the pot and wait for the popping. This part is particularly exciting for children. When the first kernels have popped, you can turn down the heat. Put the finished, still warm popcorn into a bowl and sprinkle with a little salt or brown sugar to taste.

Homemade ice cream:Peel two to three bananas and place them in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer. After about two hours you can take out the banana slices and blend them together with frozen berries, some plain yogurt and honey in a blender or with an immersion blender until creamy. You have a delicious ice cream that can be adjusted and varied according to taste.

Vegetable sticks:Even the biggest vegetable haters will give in to finely cut raw vegetables. Simply cut fresh vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers or carrots into hand- and mouth-sized pieces. If the vegetables shouldn't be in stick form, you can also chop small pieces of vegetables and put them on skewers. Be especially careful that your child doesn't injure themselves on the tip.Quick tip:Offer a new vegetable every now and then so your child's tastes can develop more broadly.

Fun sandwich:Topped wholegrain bread or toast doesn't always have to be in a boring square shape. Simply topped with low-fat cold cuts or cheese and a few cucumber slices and lettuce leaves, you can create great works of art with extra-large cookie cutters. How about, for example, a cheese sandwich in the shape of a tractor or a sandwich that has the outline of a star?

Healthy fast food:Your child will probably not say no to hamburgers and fries. Try a healthy alternative with a fast-food look: cut the apple into fry-shaped pieces and a bit of strawberry sauce makes a decent portion of ketchup. From rice cakes or wholegrain rolls, between which you layer fruit or vegetable slices, you can quickly create a healthy burger that your child will surely enjoy.

Apple chips:Apple rings from the oven are an exciting alternative to fresh apples for children. They are a sugar-free alternative to potato chips and are also very easy to make yourself. You only need a little patience. To prepare, wash a few apples, core them and cut the apples into as thin slices as possible. Spread these side by side on a baking tray - it's best to fill several trays at once, as the chips will keep well for a few days. Then dry the apple rings in the oven at 70 °C (top and bottom heat) for six to eight hours. After that the apple chips are ready to eat. This snack is especially enjoyed by both parents and children. Enjoy!