The Best School Snacks
School children need a diet that balances their nutritional and energy needs. As children are constantly on the go at school, they should be provided with healthy snacks that can be enjoyed conveniently and in plenty of time to aid their study and play. With child obesity levels growing at an alarming rate, it is essential to give your child a healthy lunch.
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Fruit
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The variety of fruit available to children is astounding and ensures that there will be some fruit that your children will enjoy. Apples, pears and bananas can be chopped into small pieces or mixed with grapes and orange slices to form a delicious fruit cocktail, or enjoyed individually. A lot of fruits are high in natural sugars and therefore give children an energy boost to help them to focus in school.
Nuts and Seeds
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Nuts and seeds are packed with a variety of minerals and nutrients that growing children need to maintain healthy muscle, blood cells and skin and promote a healthy immune system. Peanuts and cashews can be enjoyed mixed together with dried fruits like raisins and apricots. Sunflower seeds also are a good addition to any school lunch.
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Yogurt
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Healthy yogurts are excellent school snacks because they can be combined with fruit, nuts and raw vegetables. More importantly, yogurt is a useful source of calcium for healthy bones and teeth and various B vitamins that help release energy from food. Yogurt also has been proven to replenish healthy bacteria in the gut and aid digestion.
Cereal Bars and Oatcakes
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Oatcakes and cereal bars, such as muesli, are good school snacks, as they are full of fiber, which aids bowel function and can lower bad cholesterol. As well as being low in fat, cereal will provide your child with a slow but steady release of energy to keep them active and focused at school. Some cereal bars also contain small chocolate chips and toffee chunks that children consider a treat.
Vegetables
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Most students will groan at the idea of having vegetables as a snack, but freshly chopped carrot sticks, celery sticks, sweet corn and sliced peppers can be refreshing and delicious as well as convenient for active children. On top of that, vegetables are healthy and nutritious and contribute to the recommended five portions per day.
Potato Chips
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Potato chips are a popular school snack and are not always as unhealthy an option as you may think. Ensure you choose a variety that is cooked in vegetable oil, as opposed to other hydrogenated oils, and is relatively low in salt or sodium. Bear in mind that 1g of sodium is the equivalent of about 2.5g of salt. As long as the calorie intake matches your child's energy requirements, potato chips can be a welcome addition to a school lunch.
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References
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