Snack Plates for Toddlers & Kids

4 days ago
2 min read

My kids looove a snack, as I'm sure many of yours do! A snack plate is a way for me to bring a little whimsy into our nutrition. Sure, we have a bagged snack once in a while but for us, the daily "Mama, can we have a snaaaack??" has become "Mama, can we have a snack plate please?"

Haha it feels like a much more civilized back and forth.

What do I add to said snack plate?

Depending on what we have will determine this, but that's the fun part
Pick a staple FAV - mini chocolate chips are one I can almost always count on
A fruit or two - Oranges, blueberries, sliced apples... - (start with whichever fruit you need to use before it goes bad)
- even frozen fruit works!
A vegetable - my kids will inhale cucumbers (technically a fruit but considered a vegetable in the culinary aspect..)
- We also do edamame, sweet potato fries, carrots, or seaweed..
Something with a savory crunch if we have it! - Crackers, chips, popcorn, nuts.. - whatever you find appropriate for their age/ allergy needs
Something sweet - this can be a piece of candy, chocolate chips, a cookie, or a date with peanut butter on top. The reason for this, for me personally, is letting our children enjoy sweets and candy in moderation. We try not to trash talk candy, we do talk about the ingredients in certain things and why we try to avoid them (I'm looking at you, red 40!), but overall we do want them to understand candy is okay and pairing it with a protein is helpful.
Speaking of protein - not every snack plate I make will have it since the kids have enough throughout their other meals in the day. A good item for us has been using peanut butter to no end. Considering allergies, use something of equal value to your needs. I have heard that sunflower butter is a nice substitute. Once in a while we will have cheese sticks on our plates but I lowkey think one of the kids has a slight intolerance for lactose..
- Pairing their plate with a cup of soy milk, or milk of choice, is also a nice way to add in what you think they might need to hit their nutritional goals for the day.