What Are Your Kids' Favorite Healthy Snacks?
by Alice Currah on Oct 6, 2010
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A few weeks ago I asked Savory Sweet Life Facebook fans, What are your kids favorite healthy snacks and meals? The many responses were not only impressive, but they also provided a glimpse into the world of adventurous eaters.
Several parents stated apples and peanut butter were popular snack among families mine included. Who can resist crisp, tart and sweet apple slices smeared with creamy, slightly salted peanut butter? Its the perfect sweet and savory snack packed with protein.
I asked my own kids what their favorite snacks were. Strawberries, edamame (soy beans), trail mix, popcorn, carrots and ranch, and other various fruit were mentioned. Pretty standard kid snacks if you ask me - hardly what I call adventurous and I'm okay with this.
Then there was Chelsie C. who chimed in about her daughters favorite snack. Believe it or not caponata. Put some on a baguette and shes in paradise, she writes. In all honestly, I had no clue what caponta was so I did what all parents do when they dont know the answer. I Googled it. Capanota is an Italian dish made of cooked vegetables including fried eggplant. Wow Chelsies daughter eats caponata! Talk about adventurous eating. I admit, I was a bit jealous because I love eggplant but my kids dont. I hope this will someday change.
Heather P. is a mother to a two year old daughter. She also shared how much her daughter loves to eat fresh, raw vegetables from the garden including broccoli, beets, spinach, beans, and carrots. She attributes her daughters healthy vegetable eating ways to the garden. She writes, I think gardens help kids to be less skeptical of veggies because they engage with them more. I couldnt agree more! My own kids will eat vegetables from our small little garden bed but will not eat the same vegetables when I buy them from the store and even farmers markets. There is something about growing your own food children understand, respect, and appreciate.
So I ask you, what are your kids favorite healthy snacks and meals? Do your kids eat similar to mine? Or, are they more adventurous like Chelsies kids? If you have a vegetable garden with your kids, have you noticed they eat more vegetables like Heather? Chime in below, I would love to hear what youre eating in your home and any tips you have for eating healthy snacks.
Related articles of interest:
PBS Parents: Stay on Track with Healthy Snacks
PBS Parents: Encourage Kids to Eat Healthy Food
Eggplant Caponata recipe by Blue Kitchen
Vegetable Garden for Kids by Growing Raw Health