3 Healthy Toddler Snacks Homemade

3 Healthy Toddler Snacks Homemade

3 Healthy Toddler Snacks Homemade

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends toddlers be introduced to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are about 6 months old.

Toddlers need to have many essential nutrients in their early years to improve their growth and prevent disease. They should be fed healthy foods that contain plenty of vegetables especially when we talk about homemade snacks.

Best Toddler Snacks

Toddler spend a lot of energy during their day and their little belly is struggling to eat more than 3 hours. A snack in the morning and another in the middle of the afternoon allow him to wait between meals.

For a snack that kids love and perfectly fulfill its mission, it must contain:

• Carbohydrates that quickly bring energy to the body:

They are found in grain products (grain crackers, grain cereal , granola bars with nut butter, vegetables and fresh fruits (fruit juice), milk and alternatives (cottage cheese, cream cheese)

• Proteins and fiber that allow your child to have enough energy between meals and snacks time.

(They are present in the meat and alternatives, sweet potato, and milk and alternatives groups.)

Toddler Snack for all occasions

On the way out or when trips are planned, we choose practical snacks to carry such as homemade muffins, individual compotes, crackers or vegetables and cheese!

We try to offer the snack at least 2 hours before the next meal. If your toddler gets hungry before the next meal, offer him foods that mainly contain carbohydrates to quell his hunger, Foods that will not cut his appetite for the meal. In this case vegetables or cut fruits can be enough to make it wait.

Ideas for gourmet and funny snacks

Kids love to touch, mix and play with food. Dips are a pleasure for them! Imagine apples or pears dipping in yogurt or carrot and celery sticks in a tofu or tuna spread. The fun aspect of the snack can even help kids discover new foods.

Have fun cooking with your toddler by making snacks with him. It is a pleasant activity that will allow him to become familiar with food. Take the opportunity to make large quantities and make reservations in the fridge or freezer.

How to make an ideal snack for toddlers

1- Choose a high carbohydrate food:

• - Fresh fruits (apple, pear, banana, etc.)
• - Crackers
• - Bread (sliced, pita, English muffin, etc.)
• - Dried fruits (grapes, dates, etc.)
• - Yogurt
• - Crudités (carrot, cucumber, etc.)
• - Homemade muffin
• - Homemade cereal bar
• - Oatmeal (grits)
• ...

These are foods from the Grain Products groups, Vegetables and Fruit or Milk and Alternatives

2- Add a protein rich food

• - Peanut Butter
• - Grilled chickpeas
• - Tuna spread
• - Tofu spread
• - Cheese (cheddar, cottage, etc.)
• - Milk
• - Nuts and seeds
• - Hummus (Chickpea spread)
• - Enriched soy beverage
• - Homemade milk pudding
• - Yogurt
• ...

These are meat and alternatives group foods or Milk and Alternatives.

Homemade toddler snacks recipe

Here are some snack recipes that contains nutritional needs for your toddler healthy growth.

1-    Healthy Toddler Snacks : Vegetables and rice

Healthy Toddler Snacks : Vegetables and rice

The ingredients:

• Half a cup of carrots cut into small pieces.
• One potato cut into pieces.
• One zucchini cut into pieces.
• Half cup of peas.
• Three veins of broccoli.
• One quarter cup of white rice.
• Chicken breast.
• Sterile water as needed.

How to prepare:

1. Wash the chicken breast, cut into small sized pieces, and poach it in a vase of water for at least a quarter of an hour until fully cooked.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the chicken, and leave on fire for at least twenty minutes until the vegetables are fully cooked.
3. Leave the food aside until it cools, then put in the electric mixer, mix the ingredients until thoroughly grinded, knowing that a little water can be added to the mixture to become soft textures.
4. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until it cools slightly.

2-    Healthy Toddler Snacks : Mashed Pumpkin

Healthy Toddler Snacks : Mashed Pumpkin

The ingredients:

• Small grain of pumpkin.
• A glass of hot water.

How to prepare:

1. Poach the pumpkin into the water until it is fully cooked.
2. Leave the boiled pumpkin aside until it cools, place in the electric mixer bowl and thoroughly grind.

3-    Healthy Toddler Snacks : Oatmeal soup and potatoes

Healthy Toddler Snacks : Oatmeal soup and potatoes

The ingredients:

• A grain of potatoes.
• Three tablespoons of oatmeal.
• A teaspoon of tomato paste.
• A pinch of ground black pepper.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt.

How to prepare:

1. Cut the potatoes into small pieces, and boil it in a vase of water until fully cooked.
2. Add the oatmeal, stir the ingredients, and leave on fire until you reach the boiling point.
3. Pour the mixture with salt, black pepper, add tomato paste, and stir the ingredients until they overlap. Leave the soup aside until cool, then grind it with the electric mixer.