snack time.

I know that meal times can be a real challenge for parents of young children. At our house, we do not make separate meals for the children. Since I am a foodie ( 🙂 ), this means that they are forced to try all sorts of foods.  But, believe me, they are still kids and there a plenty of times when they (or Greta, not to name any names) really do NOT like what I have prepared. We have a rule that you must at least try everything on your plate once. If you would like dessert, you must eat a good portion of the healthy food (not just bread!).  If a child (I should just say Greta because Miles eats practically everything) does not eat a meal, they can wait until snack time and eat what is offered. Children will NOT starve themselves and missing a meal is not a huge deal. This is actually what our pediatrician recommends. If she gets hungry enough she will eat whatever is in front of her 🙂

I do make an effort to make snack time fun and healthy. Things like juice, chips, fruit snacks, etc.  are special occasion treats. We stick with the healthy stuff because who knows if she will actually eat the next meal! I’m sure there are at least a handful of you who can relate to this.

Here are some snack time ideas I hope that you will find helpful.

Make it fun!

Even if it is a snack your child eats very often, find an interesting way to serve it.

Creative Combinations.

We all have our “go to” snack options. For us it is berries. They are quick. You just rinse and serve. It doesn’t get much easier than that. But, too much of anything is not good.

Here I have mixed a whole grain cereal with berries and some craisins. Not much more effort was required to make this snack, but the kids had much more fun eating it!

Get the kids cooking!

Children are much more likely to eat something if they have helped to prepare it. Even 2 year-old’s are great dumpers and stirrers 🙂

Here is a recipe we received from Miles’ Physical therapy office.

Easter Bunny Healthy Carrot-Oat Cakes

1 c. rolled oats

1 c. chopped walnuts (we used cashews)

1 c. whole wheat flour

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. salt

2 c. grated carrots

1 c. maple syrup (buy 100% pure, it is a million times better)

1 c. raisins or dried currants (we used craisins and dates)

1/2 c. unsweetened finely shredded coconut

1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325. Spray 9″ square pan with cooking spray.

Pulse oats and nuts in food processor until coarsely ground. Transfer to large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt.  Mix well.  In a second large bowl, combine carrots, syrup, dried fruit, coconut and vanilla. Add carrot mixture to flour mixture and stir until completely combined. Transfer to prepared pan and bake until cooked through and deep golden brown, about 55 minutes (mine took 40). Cool, cut into squares and serve.

Oh, did I mention how much my husband loves these??