Keeping kids happy isn’t always easy when it comes to dessert. In a world full of colorful packages and sugar-packed options, what’s good for kids can easily get lost in the chaos.
However, finding quick and healthy treats for kids doesn’t have to be hard. Many of the best options are likely already in your pantry, waiting for you to notice them.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is a standby in most parents’ snack cabinets. However, with a little creativity, it can be a yummy treat on the go. Start with a base of granola, and add healthy items such as dried fruit, honey-roasted nuts, or even less sugary cereals.
Yogurt
Always an easy choice, kid-size cups of yogurt are nothing new. They’re packed with essential calcium and protein, so you know your kids are getting the nutrients they need. Plus, adding a bit of granola, fruit, or even chocolate chips turns yogurt cups into great quick and healthy treats for kids.
Just be sure to double-check the ingredients! The youngsters might whine about the boring packaging of your preferred yogurt, but sometimes ones geared towards kids aren’t as nutritious. Watch out for additives such as dyes and corn syrup.
Sliced Fruit and Dip
Getting kids into the habit of eating fruit can be tough. Turning these tasty gifts from nature into extra-yummy treats is easy with a sauce or dip. Try pouring a little honey over apple slices, or dip pears into kid-friendly peanut butter alternatives.
Honey-Sweetened Treats
A really easy way to boost any treat for kids is to add honey. It’s not as unnatural as plain white sugar, and it also has antibodies that boost the immune system. You can make almost anything honey-roasted at home using a toaster, oven, or pan.
Honey is good by itself, too! It takes on the flavor of whatever flower pollen with which it was made, and sometimes it gets mixed with fruit flavors. Honey sticks are the perfect no-mess, kid-size treat.
Homemade Oat Cookies
Kids love them; they’re easy to make; and when homemade, they can be very healthy. Oats themselves are rich with minerals and fiber; plus, it’s easy to sneak healthier ingredients into cookies.
Oatmeal cookies are low maintenance. Making them vegan or low-sugar without losing the great taste is a breeze. Try boosting the flavor with fruit or reducing or even eliminating white sugar by using honey instead.
More Snack Ideas & Tips for Staying Healthy
