Snacks are a great way to feed your child nutrition. Don’t you notice how quickly they get bored of vegetables or salads? So, how do we make our food interesting so that they can have the best of both worlds- good eating and high nutritional values? Well, snacks are the answer. What makes snacks important is that it’s a low-calorie meal designed just for giving people enough nutrition. Since most children want something sweet after coming home from playing outside or going to school, they’re usually happy when given something tasty to eat. Therefore, this is an opportunity for you to serve them healthy snack options instead of junk food whenever possible. You see, their stomachs don’t need much since it can’t hold too much anyway! Healthy meal supplements such as these snacks will save you when you’re feeling too busy or lazy 🙂
So, people often wonder how they can pack all of the calories and protein-rich food in one bowl. Well, we’ll give you some ideas!
All-time Favourite School Snacks for Kids:
Here are some of our favorite easy and delicious recipes that we love to make for children when they’re going off to school or kindergarten.
1. Oats Idli:
Idlis may not raise a smile from all people, but what if it had a healthy twist? Oates are rich in dietary fiber and keep you feeling satisfied for hours at a time. In addition to being an excellent source of magnesium that helps fight off constipation, they’re also good for children thanks to their many other nutritional benefits. It can be hard trying to find ways to use oates without having them turn into mush or clump together so here is one way oatidli batter can be made deliciously!
- Grind one cup of oatmeal until it becomes a fine powder then add 1/2 teaspoon of grated carrots and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro.
- To make the batter, start by heating one spoon of oil in a pan. Once heated, add chana daal, urad daal and some mustard seeds to it. Let all these ingredients sizzle and turn golden brown; you can also add some cashews or green chili if desired.
- Add half cup of ravaor sooji and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the powdered oats, keep stirring, and roast well.
- Add the grated vegetables and 1⁄2 a cup of curd to it. Mix them well with water until they reach an iddli-like consistency.
- Grease the idli pan with a little oil and then add salt to the batter before pouring it into each mold.
- Allow it to steam cook for about seven to eight minutes.
Serve the idli with your child’s favorite condiment.
2. Dhokla:
On our kids snack list, we have a variety of foods for you to choose from- but one dish is gaining popularity amongst youngsters these days. Dhoklas are made from wholesome lentils, an abundant source of protein and fiber; what more could you want? Plus they’re steamed – because there’s less oil used in the process – making them even healthier! Here’s how you can make this traditional Indian dish at home.
- In one cup of gram flour, add one teaspoon of citric acid, one teaspoon of sugar, a pinch of salt and just enough turmeric to make the color yellow-orange.
- Add water to the mixture and stir it until you get a medium-thickened texture.
- In a separate bowl, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Add this mixture to the batter and stir well until it is completely dissolved before pouring it into the pan.
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Fill a baking pan with water and set it on the bottom rack of the oven. Pour mixture onto a hot pan and allow mixture to bake for about 15 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed by pasta.
- In a frying pan, add two teaspoons of oil. Add mustard seeds and allow them to pop. Then add three dried red chillis and curry leaves for some extra heat. This is what makes up the classic Indian tadka.
- Cut the steamed dhokla to the shape of your choice. Pour the prepared tadka over this.
Cut the steamed dhokla according to your preference. Spoon some of the prepped tadka over it.
3. Ragi Cookies:
Cookies are an all-time favorite among children. However, there are various other ways one can get creative and mix up ingredients while still making them taste great! One could use raagia millet instead of plain old wheat flour which is rich in calcium; this helps with bones and prevents overeating because of its high nutritional value. In order to make a delicious ragi cookie here is what you will need
- Add 1/4 cup of softened butter to 3/4 cups of sugar and beat them together until they are fluffy.
- Add two eggs and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat them until they are thoroughly mixed together.
- Add one cup of grated coconut and one cup of ragi flour. Mix them together thoroughly.
- Place about 1/4 cup of powdered sugar onto the dough mix and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for one hour before baking according
- Preheat oven to 180 Celsius for 15 minutes. Flatten dough balls and put them on a baking tray or dish.
- Bake until done.
This is how you can catch your kids off guard!
4. Nuts and Dry Fruit Balls:
Nuts and dried fruit are a great way to provide your children with much needed nutrients. They provide the necessary protein intake, which will prevent them from feeling too sluggish during playtime.
- Combine figs, almonds, cashews, walnuts, raisins, peanuts, cucumber seeds, pistachios, macadamia and a good amount of dates. Feel free to experiment with new ingredients if desired.
- Add honey and palm sugar to the mixture, stirring vigorously until a uniform mass has been created. Roll into balls.
- Allow time for it to dry well before rolling it on some coconut powder.
This energizing ball of food is an excellent way to provide sustenance to your child’s body. It delivers both iron from dates and magnesium from cashews, as well as additional nutrients necessary for growth.
5. Moong Salad:
Lentils are one of the best sources of protein. They contain vitamins K, C, iron and folate. Lentils also provide a good supply of magnesium which helps keep you full for hours at a time. Now is the perfect time to make this healthy dish- Moong Dal Salad!
- Soak moong beans over night and then drain them in the morning. Rinse thoroughly before cooking.
- Allow the beans to sprout by tying them up in a cloth.
- Add a handful of cucumber, finely chopped tomatoes, onions, grated carrots and half a cup of cornflakes for an extra crunch. Top with finely chopped coriander and mint leaves to compliment this flavorful dish!
- Add salt to your liking and squeeze some fresh lemon juice in. Mix it all together nicely. Serve with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for dipping.
Moong Salad will taste great with all the extra ingredients added to it; make sure you serve a bowl of it each evening for dinner.
6. Cheese Toast:
Children deserve cheese! Cheese provides essential nutrients such as zinc, calcium, vitamin A and B 12, protein and phosphorous. It has been proven that feta cheese – which is low in fat and calorie content – can promote heart health because it contains an amino acid called L-carnitine that helps break down fatty acids for use as fuel by muscles. Here are a few ideas for cheesy treats for children.
- In a frying pan, add 1 tsp of sesame oil or canola oil. Add 1/2 tsp of crushed garlic and 1/2 tsp ground cumin for flavor.
- When they start smelling good, add the colored bell peppers and capsicums. Stir fry them thoroughly until softened. Add salt or cayenne pepper to taste, along with any other seasonings you desire.
- Keep aside when you are satisfied with how it has been cooked. Now, place the bread on the pan and lay down the sliced capsicum nicely onto it. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the vegetables before baking them off in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or so.
About this toast with cheese. It would make an excellent tea time snack for your children and it’s really easy to make.
7. Red Sauce Pasta:
Here are some healthy snack ideas for school. Pasta seems to be the favorite among most children – but don’t forget the vegetables! Add bell peppers and tomatoes to make it healthier and keep tomato sauce on hand so you can whip up a dish in minutes.
- Peel and chop onions or bell peppers. Put them into a pan with oil and fry over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes to the frying pan along with 1/4 cup of water or vegetable broth, then cover it for 10 minutes over low heat.
- Blend them together and in a pan cook the pasta.
- Add olive oil, chopped garlic and onion to a pan. Allow the onion to become transparent. Pour this mixture into the saucepan with tomato puree.
- Add salt to taste and allow the mixture to cook thoroughly until it reaches the desired texture.
- Switch the flame off and toss in the pasta.
- This red sauce pasta dish will appeal to children and their friends!
8. Sweet Corn Soup:
One of my favourite snacks for when it’s raining outside is to eat a bowl of piping hot soup. Corn promotes good health because it has soluble fiber which feeds the good bacteria in the stomach, aiding with digestion.
- Chop the beans, carrot and onion. Make sure they are clean before you put them into your casserole dish.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and add vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen corn kernels and cook 1 minute or just until heated through.
- Pour water and allow them to cook well. Sprinkle some salt over.
- Add a teaspoon of corn flour to some water in an appropriate container before pouring it over the boiling pot of vegetables.
- Serve the soup hot with a good amount of pepper.
- Sounds delicious isn’t?
9. Smoothies:
The next way to their heart is by preparing an energy-packed smoothie. Smoothies are delicious and much of the benefits lie in what kind of fruit you include. berries could be just one option, because they come in so many interesting colors and pack a ton of good-for-you nutrients. Make yourself a wholesome berry smoothie today!
- In a blender, add raspberry, strawberry and blueberry.
- In the blender, add raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.
- Add one cup of milk and a spoon of honey.
- This dish can be served either hot or cold depending on the preference of the diner.
10. Fruit Bowl:
How colorful can a bowl of dishes get? Try out a Nutrient Mix Bowl – an easy way to pack as many different types of health-boosting ingredients as possible into your meal.
Cut up all the fruit available: watermelon, apples, pineapples, kiwi, chikku. Add some grapes for sweetness and refreshment; sprinkle some flax seeds on top for an extra health boost.
Serve the salad cold for your children. They will surely love it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Here are Some More Tips to Ensure They Eat Right:
- Try small bites of nutrient rich food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’ll give you an energy boost without weighing you down!
- Make it colorful and appetizing so that they are interested in the food.
- Shakes are an excellent way to ensure you get all of the nutrients needed for a balanced diet. Flax seeds can also be used without altering taste, but it’s important to mix them well so they don’t clump.
- It is important to also think about how your baked goods will be presented. If you want them eaten, make sure they are both colourful and aesthetically pleasing to the eye
Snacks are an integral part of any meal, especially for children who often find themselves hungry between meals or after a long day at school. Making these little snacks accessible can provide just the boost of energy they need to carry on throughout the rest of their busy days. All you have to do is make these changes in small ways – both for yourself and for your kids – so everyone gets what they need out of it!
