Quick Healthy Snack Ideas

Are you looking for some quick healthy snack ideas for your kids? Here are some ideas for you to consider with why they are good healthy choices for snacks, and what to avoid for the not so healthy choices.

Baked Chips vs. Deep Fried Chips

Deep-fried potato chips typically get more than half of their calories from fat. Grab some baked chips instead. A one-ounce serving of Kettle Crisps, for instance, gets just 15 of its 110 calories from fat. Baked tortilla chips are another good choice; you can find flavorful brands that get only a third of their calories from fat.

Light popcorn vs. Butter Flavored

Most brands of microwave popcorn are loaded with butter and lots of salt. Also, most are cooked with butter that uses partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (which can clog arteries). The healthy popcorn choice would be Orville Redenbacher's Light Natural Gourmet Popping Corn. It is surprisingly low in fat and, like all popcorn, high in fiber.

Nuts

Nuts are high in fat, but it's a kind that's as good for the heart and arteries as olive oil. (The exception is macadamia nuts, which are high in saturated fat.) Nuts are also loaded with protein and essential vitamins and minerals, and they're also really filling. You can also put together a trail mix of peanuts, raisins, and low-fat granola to keep on hand.

Healthy Granola bars

A great alternative to a gooey candy bar, a sweet, crunchy granola bar has fiber and far less fat. The best granola bar is the Nature's Valley Crunchy Oat's and Honey Granola Bar.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are high in fiber and protein and are a great and healthy choice for energy in kids. Although they're relatively high in fat (most of it is monounsaturated, the healthful kind found in olive oil and nuts) they can be a great healthy snack for your kids.

Fruit bars and Fig Newtons

Fig Newtons are low in fat and provide fiber and potassium. Fruit Roll-ups can also be a good source of quick energy that is healthy for your kids as some of them use natural sugars and are low in calories.

Frozen grapes

Grapes are an antioxidant rich healthy snack for your kids. If your little ones are hot on a summer day, or especially if they are teething, frozen grapes are a wonderful choice for a healthy snack that you can keep on hand in the freezer.

Fudgsicles vs. Ice Cream

The classic American frozen treat deserves high praise. One bar has just 90 calories and only about a gram of fat. Ice Cream has gotten better with light and low fat varieties appearing more often now also.

Fruit juices

In order for fruit juice to be considered healthy, make sure it's 100 percent fruit, with no added sugar.

Fruit shakes or smoothies

Whip together a banana, a splash of fruit juice, and a handful of berries in your blender, and you've got a nutritious shake. You can add yogurt for more protein and calcium. For the best consistency, freeze the fruit beforehand or use frozen yogurt. This is a great way to get kids to eat fruits for nutritional value. Now, is there a way to put some lima beans or brussel sprouts in there too?

I hope you have enjoyed reading these quick healthy snack ideas for kids and hope that your kids will enjoy them.