Snacks are a wonderful and underutilised resource by parents. We spoke to Megan McGraw, a clinical paediatric dietician about the best types of snacks for your baby and toddler.
1. They should include at least two food groups, e.g. a protein food and a fruit.
2. They should be simple to prepare and easy to eat, e.g. a yoghurt and a banana.
3. They should be served in between mealtimes.
4. Snacks should be transportable, i.e. able to be packed in a container and taken to Granny's house, the shops or a doctor's appointment.
5. They should be nutritious and as fresh as possible.
6. They should be weather-appropriate, e.g. an icy fruit is lovely for the warm summer months but not appropriate in cold weather.
7. They can be homemade and need not cost a lot of money.
"Snacks are also lovely opportunities for babies and toddlers to learn to self-feed and also try new textures. Use snack times to introduce your baby to new foods and allow them to eat with their fingers," says McGraw.
When to serve a snack
She advises that you can serve up to three snacks a day. "You can offer dinner and relax knowing that you will offer a small nutritious snack half an hour before bed. This avoids the 'I am hungry' moment before bed."
Healthy snack ideas
Choose any two of these foods from the following groups to make up a healthy snack time as well as a liquid:
Protein | Starch | Fruit | Veg | Liquid |
Beef Chicken (organic and low-salt) | Low-GI bread Cut into: Slices Cookie cutter squares | Fresh fruit cut up | Crudites: Cucumber Carrots | Ice tea |
Yoghurt | Crackers | Dried fruit | Bite-sized frozen veg, steamed Carrots, peas, corn etc. | Water |
Soya yoghurt | Cracker breads | Raisins | Homemade ice tea | |
Cheese | Rice cakes | Frozen fruit | Milk | |
Peanut or other nut butter | Digestive biscuits | Fruit icy | Smoothies | |
Crushed nuts (age appropriate) | Rusk | Fruit smoothie | ||
Chicken/beef strips | Mini muffins | |||
Mini meatballs Chicken Lean beef | ||||
Milk smoothie |
So how much should you give your child? Megaw says you should offer your toddler a handful each from the two food groups you have chosen above.