Smart Snacks for Kids

August 04, 2008
James Carrier
Studies show that snacking accounts for 20% of kids' daily calories. Be sure little ones are getting their recommended vitamins and minerals by serving healthy snacks.
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Peach-Oat Muffins

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Tyler Asbury
Peach-Oat Muffins Recipe
Nutrient-packed muffins are food pyramid powerhouses. Kids love them because they're sweet; moms love them because peaches are high in vitamin C, oats and whole grains are loaded with fiber, pecans have heart-healthy fat, and buttermilk is full of calcium and protein.
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Peach-Strawberry Fruit Leather

Photo: Oxmoor House
Peach-Strawberry Fruit Leather Recipe
This kid-friendly fruit snack recipe requires just 4 ingredients.

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Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers

Photo: Oxmoor House
Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers Recipe
Skip the store-bought version and create your own cheesy snack crackers for afternoon snacking.
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Santa Fe Snack Seeds

Santa Fe Snack Seeds Recipe
Sunflower and pumpkin seeds may be small, but they contain quite a few nutrients, making this sweet-and-spicy mix one of our healthy kids' recipes. Pack the mix in small airtight containers for a fun gift idea.

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Oats and Buttermilk Snack Cake

Photo: Karry Hosford
Oats and Buttermilk Snack Cake Recipe
This simple snack cake is a treat for both kids and kids at heart. Eat these oat-filled cakes right out of the oven or wrap individually in plastic wrap and pack in a lunchbox for a healthy treat.

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Boiled Edamame

James Carrier
Boiled Edamame Recipe
High in fiber, low fat, full of protein, and rich in all 9 essential amino acids– this truly is a snack with a nutritional punch. Make it fun for kids by showing them how to open the edamame pods and pull out "magic beans."
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Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Photo: Jason Varney; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle Recipe
Reminiscent of classic popcorn balls, these salty-sweet treats make for awesome low-fat, lunch box-friendly snacking. Make a batch with the kids this weekend to enjoy throughout the week.

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Puffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro
Puffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies Recipe
Chocolate chip cookies get a nutrition makeover with a secret ingredient– applesauce. It replaces some of the fat in the recipe, and kids love the sweetness.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Photo: Karry Hosford
Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals Recipe
Kids will wear smiles after trying these crunchy mouth-size morsels that are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and potassium. Little chefs can be a big help by mixing ingredients and rolling the tortillas into spirals.
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Whole Grain Marshmallow Crispy Bars

Van Chaplin
Whole Grain Marshmallow Crispy Bars Recipe
Roll up the kids' sleeves so they can help mix-up these tasty whole grain bars. The whole grain cereal is rich in fiber, making stomachs feel fuller, longer.

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Maple-Chile Popcorn

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Maple-Chile Popcorn Recipe
Spice up popcorn in just 20 minutes with five simple ingredients. Short on time? Try drizzling the sweet and spicy sauce on microwavable popcorn. If the chile adds too much spice for children, simply omit and enjoy the sweet 'n' salty maple popcorn.

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Fruit Medley with Mint and Lime

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Fruit Medley with Mint and Lime Recipe
Say goodbye to store-bought fruit cups. This homemade version is packed with an assortment of colorful, heart-healthy fruits without the added sugar and preservatives. This whimsical treat even allows little hands to help out in the kitchen.
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Two-Tone Puff Straws

James Carrier
Two-Tone Puff Straws Recipe
Sweet or savory? Let the kids choose between our variety of straw-seasonings– Mexican Cheese, Tomato-Basil, Cinnamon-Nut, and Coconut-Orange. The quick and easy snacks are freezable, so kids can easily re-warm straws in the microwave.
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