In their first year of life, your child grows more than any other time in their life. By about age 2 this growth has slowed down significantly, and your little one is most likely running everywhere, and into everything! This seemingly endless energy needs fuel, and if their little engines run empty, you’ll face grumpiness, tiredness, and the dreaded overtired! So here are 7 really easy, healthy snacks for your toddler.
- Rice Cakes with cream cheese, and sultanas (sun-dried apricots, Craisins, or dried apples, get creative)
- “Toddler Sushi” spread a piece of wholemeal bread with cream cheese, put a big dollop of tuna down the middle, add a long slice of cucumber and roll sushi-style. (My two like REAL sushi, but there’s a fair bit of preparation)
- Fruit and Yogurt – cut up some fresh seasonal fruit and serve it with yogurt. You can puree raspberries or strawberries to swirl through the yogurt.
- Boiled eggs – either in a sandwich, or just on their own. They’re full of protein and vitamins.
- Frozen Peas – both of my boys love eating frozen peas in their frozen state.
- Vegie Sticks and Salsa – cut up some vegies and make a quick salsa by sauteing a peeled diced tomato, capsicum and a teaspoon of tomato paste. You can make it colorful by adding some tinned sweet corn.
- Hummus – with something yummy to dip it in. My boys generally like celery and cucumber sticks, but you could use crudites, carrots, beetroot, virtually anything!
Allowing your child to access healthy snacks between meals keeps their blood sugar regulated, and helps them to control their own appetite.
