Some parents may believe that snacking is bad for their children, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, according to CNRC nutritionist Dr. Janice Stuff, about 20 percent of a child's energy and nutrients come from snacks. Snacks should provide the energy hungry kids need, as well as the nutrients they might have missed at meals.
Stuff encourages parents to post a list of snack choices on the refrigerator or cabinet door.
Make it easy for children and family members to find snacks by designating a special area in the refrigerator, cabinet or on the counter. Flavored milk, yogurt, ice cream or yogurt shakes, pudding, and slices of cheese or mozzarella 'string' cheese. Wedges of hard cooked eggs, peanut butter on crackers, bean dip on tortilla, or hummus with pita triangles. Avoid serving hard, round or difficult to chew foods to children under 3 years of age. Copyright 1999 Baylor College of Medicine.