15 Healthy Snack Options for Kids

When it comes to kids, snack time is pretty much anytime. As parents, you would have probably already run out of snack ideas for your kids. We understand that coming up with new and interesting snack ideas that is both healthy and tasty is quite a challenging task. 

In this blog post, we have put together 15 healthy snack options for kids that will help them get their daily dose of nutrients in the form of yummy snacks. To make your feeding time more convenient, you can check out 1st Step’s feeding and nursing products. 

Keep reading; you can thank us later!

15 Healthy Snack Options for Kids

Snack time is when you can sneak some extra nutrients into your kid’s meals. 

Here are 15 kids-approved snack options that are both healthy and yummy at the same time!!

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is a classic snack that is a constant on the snack menu. It’s easy to make, simple to digest, and can be customized according to your kid’s taste. Yogurt is also a great source of protein and calcium, helping bone growth and development. 

Make sure you don’t opt for the sweetened yogurt at the store, as this may contain an unhealthy amount of sugar. Instead, go for the plain, full-fat, and unsweetened yogurt. You can also make your own yogurt at home. 

To bring in the yummy factor, you can sweeten it with fruits or honey, based on your kid’s preferences.

2. Trail mix

Trail mix is an easy and nutritious on-the-go snack if your kid is not allergic to nuts. Store-bought mixes contain chocolate, which has a high amount of sugar. But for a healthier alternative, combine nuts, dried fruit, and whole-grain cereal. Trail mixes are high in fiber, protein, and fat.

Check out 1st Step’s food storage containers for easy access and storage of such snacks in pre-determined quantities. It also comes in handy if you are travelling with your kid.

3. Popcorn

Whoever told you popcorn is junk definitely lied to you. In reality, popcorn is a much healthier snack option that is also quite filling. This whole-grain snack is loaded with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, making it a great snack for your kid.

Making them at home is the best choice as you get to control the salt or butter you use in it. You can air-pop your own popcorn and add healthy spice and sweet toppings as per your kid’s liking!

4. Steam Dhokla

This traditional Gujarati snack is the definition of healthy+tasty in one food item! This popular snack is a powerhouse of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with healthy elements like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. 

Dhokla is made within 20-30 minutes and is loved by Indian kids for its spongy texture and delicious taste. For the tadka (seasoning), you can add spices like curry leaves, mustard seeds, etc., as per your kid’s spice tolerance. 

5. Baked Plantain Chips

Who doesn’t like chips, right? If your kid is craving junk food, you can easily trick them into trying these yummy plantain chips. But make sure you bake these chips and don’t deep fry them in oil, as frying takes away the healthy factor from it.

Plaintain chips are a favourite among families down south and are usually eaten as sides/accompaniments for main meals. These plantain chips only need three ingredients and have a little bit more fibre than your typical potato chip. Though they are really addictive on their own, they also go well with some creamy dips.

6. Apple and Peanut Butter dip

If you haven’t tried this combo, it’s high time you do it right away! Apple slices and peanut butter are both kid-friendly snacks that they easily won’t get bored of. Apart from being a delicious snack combo, they’re also super healthy.

Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apple peel, feeds good bacteria in the gut and promotes digestive health. Peanut butter is said to improve heart health and improve blood sugar levels. But limit the quantity of peanut butter as over-eating it might sometimes be dangerous.

7. Fruit smoothies

Fruit smoothies are a great way to make up for nutrients in a delicious way. Smoothies also make it possible for you to sneakily add healthy ingredients like spinach or chia seeds in them. With the sweetness of fruits in it, your kids will hardly recognize the taste of these. What a smart way, right? 

Make sure you make these smoothies from scratch, as the store-bought fruit juice contains a high sugar level. Fruits like apples, bananas, kiwis, peaches, berries, etc., make a yummy smoothie!

You can check out 1st Step’s bottle sippers to make the smoothie time fun and easy! These colourful sippers also have a feature that converts spout to straw and vice versa, according to your kid’s needs. 

8. Boiled or scrambled eggs

Eggs are a fantastic snack for kids that are also very nourishing. They include high-quality protein and a number of vitamins and minerals, such as selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Though scrambled eggs or an omelette may seem like a bit of work on busy days, hard-boiled eggs are pretty easy to make.

You can season these eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper or any other interesting spice mix of your choice. 

9. Baked sweet potato fries

Kids love fries, and these are jam-packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants like beta-carotene (which gives sweet potatoes their colour). Slice up a sweet potato and bake them in your microwave oven to enjoy a filling and tasty snack.

You can season them with spices like chilli powder, salt and garlic powder. If your kid can’t handle a lot of spice, you can also pair this with fruit juice to add a bit of sweetness to the snack.

10. Puffed rice

This no-nonsense snack is the easiest one you can find on this list. Puffed rice or murmure is a cheap, tasty, filling and nutrient-dense snack you can find in the market. Loaded with vitamin D, calcium, iron, and fibre, puffed rice is incredibly nourishing and can quickly transform into tasty dishes. It is easy to digest and helps in giving kids a lot of energy during the day.

Even if you don’t find time to make anything out of this, puffed rice can be served plain, even without any seasoning. 

11. Corn

Boiled corn is yet another tasty snack that kids love. It is a much healthier and tastier alternative to junk food because of its high fibre, mineral, vitamin, and carbohydrate content. Though corn can be made into different dishes, it tastes good enough even when served plain with light seasoning. 

The best corn recipe for a snack is heating it up with butter and adding a bit of salt and pepper to it. It’s easy to make, tastes great and is definitely kid-friendly. 

11. Sprouts salad

Sprouts salad is the most common salad in Indian households. Made with mung beans and other colourful vegetables, this crunchy and juicy salad is full of nutrients. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this sprouts salad does a great job in maintaining the overall wellness of organs.

You must remember that this salad's moong sprouts should be boiled or steamed. If you want the salad to have some crunch, make sure you don’t cook it entirely and make it mushy. 

12. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a common breakfast option for kids around the world. But this can also be served as a healthy snack that will keep them full until the next meal. Oats are rich in soluble fibre, which boosts the number of healthy bacteria in the digestive system.

Make your oatmeal with whole, rolled oats rather than flavouring packets, which are usually heavy in sugar. You can also tweak in a small amount of cinnamon and some diced apples for sweetness.

14. Mashed potatoes

Though this is just a side to our main meal, mashed potatoes can be a great snack for kids. The most basic recipe for mashed potatoes is done with simple ingredients like potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. This easy-to-make recipe is a family favourite! You can also enhance this simple recipe by adding veggies, greens, seasonings and other spices.

Don’t forget to check out 1st Step’s food masher and feeding bowl, which is specially designed to make recipes such as this one! The bowl also comes with a spoon and is microwave-safe. This portable bowl comes in handy when you are travelling with kids.

15. Whole Wheat Waffles

Waffles top the list of kid-friendly dishes. No kid (or adult) would want to say “no” to this tasty snack! However, waffles cannot certify as the most healthy dish out there. 

But don’t worry. We will modify it for you with a whole wheat option. The next time you make waffles for your kid, choose a whole grain cereal with minimal to no extra sugar. Once the waffles are done, spread them with nut butter before topping them with your kid’s preferred berries or sliced fruit.

Conclusion

Growing kids tend to get hungry often. The responsibility falls upon parents to feed them with healthy and tasty snacks that will keep them full until meal time. A healthy snack can give your kids the energy they need and help them get the nutrients they need daily.

The important point to remember is to make all these recipes at home and not opt for store-bought alternatives as they are not the healthiest versions. 

We hope this blog helped you get some snack ideas for your kids. You don’t have to stress out the next time your kid is hungry between meals! Let us know your kid’s favourite snack in the comments below.