Morning Snack Ideas
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When is Snack Time, Anyway?
Because children in between 2 and 5 are at a transitional stage when they are acquiring habits that will set the precedent for eating patterns over the remainder of their lives, it's important to set a schedule for mealtimes. Offering your children food at predictable times throughout the day allows them to develop appropriate internal hunger cues, and make them less likely to overeat. The structure of most meal plans for preschool aged children accommodate two snacks, one earlier in the day, and one later. Morning snacks can be given for a boost between breakfast and lunch, and afternoon snacks between lunch and dinner.
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Safety
Snack foods should be prepared in such a way to avoid choking hazards. In particular for younger children around 2 or 3, it may be necessary to cut certain foods (ex. cherry tomatoes) into smaller pieces before offering them.
Screen Time
In our increasingly technological age, it's not uncommon to see children eating meals while transfixed to the screen of a TV or iPad. However tempting it may be to pacify them with some form of entertainment, make an effort to restrict media use during meal times. Instead, make an effort to serve snacks and other meals at a table and establish these periods for quality time with your child.
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What to Avoid
When choosing snack foods for preschoolers, the only hard and fast rule on products to avoid are those which are high in added sugars and sodium, which are typically highly processed. Sticking to nutrient-dense choices like fresh vegetables, fruits, and dairy products such as yogurt are better suited to providing your child with everything he or she needs to grow healthy and strong. While no food is inherently "good" or "bad," and are acceptable when offered once in a while as treats, snacks such as candy, potato chips, and soda should not become a daily component of a child's diet.
Flexibility is Key
While mealtime schedules are key, flexibility with snacks is also key. There are many ways to divide up the recommended calories and food groups in your child's diet. Accommodating his or her unique preferences and allowing for more direct involvement in food choices will ultimately result in greater interest in food and a stronger inclination towards nutritious choices into the future.
Some children may have more of an appetite in the morning compared to later on in the day, and be inclined to eat a slightly larger portioned snack at that time. So long as he or she is receiving the proper levels of nutrients and consuming a meal plan with appropriate allotted calories, there should be no cause for concern. The concept of being a part of the "clean plate club" should not be a focus, and can actually be detrimental as it may encourage children to continue eating when they are no longer hungry.
Some children may have more of an appetite in the morning compared to later on in the day, and be inclined to eat a slightly larger portioned snack at that time. So long as he or she is receiving the proper levels of nutrients and consuming a meal plan with appropriate allotted calories, there should be no cause for concern. The concept of being a part of the "clean plate club" should not be a focus, and can actually be detrimental as it may encourage children to continue eating when they are no longer hungry.
Managing Picky Eating
There is no question that preschool aged children are notorious for picky eating habits. However much you may want your child to try kale, he or she may still reject it. If after offering your child a certain food a few times, he or she still does not want to eat it, move on to something different. It is perfectly normal for children around this age to have strong preferences for certain foods, with no exception to snack time.
So called "food jags" are not uncommon, where for certain periods of time, a child will refuse to consume anything other than 2 or 3 favorites. More likely than not, these phases will be relatively short-lived. As long as your child is growing normally and has adequate levels of energy, they are probably doing just fine. If you have a genuine concern that your preschooler is not eating a diverse enough diet, try offering to prepare a snack with him or her. Children generally enjoy the opportunity to learn something new, and if they are involved in the task of making their snack, they will most likely be more inclined to eat it. As an added bonus, this allows an opportunity for your child to gain an understanding of where their food comes from, and develop an interest in making healthy choices for themselves in the future. |