The Best Nutritious Snacks for Kids

Yogurt is an excellent snack for kids because it’s a good source of protein and calcium. Calcium is especially important for kids’ developing bones (1Trusted Source).

Some yogurts also contain live bacteria, which benefit the digestive system (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Most yogurts marketed to kids are high in sugar. Instead, choose plain, full-fat yogurt and sweeten it with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.

Still, make sure not to give honey to infants under 12 months old, as they’re at a greater risk of a serious infection called botulism (4Trusted Source).

You may consider popcorn a junk food, but it’s really a nutritious whole grain.

As long as you don’t drown it in unhealthy toppings, popcorn can be a healthy snack for kids. Air-pop your own popcorn, drizzle it with a little butter, and sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top.

However, use caution when offering popcorn to younger children, as it can be a choking hazard.

Celery with peanut butter and raisins, sometimes called “ants on a log,” is a fun way to get your child to eat a vegetable.

Cut a stalk of celery into three or four pieces, spread peanut butter inside the celery, and arrange a few raisins on top of the peanut butter.

These three foods combined provide a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat.

Just be sure to buy peanut butter without added sugar or vegetable oils.

Nuts are high in healthy fats, along with fiber and antioxidants. Dietary fat is important for supporting growth in children (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Doctors used to recommend withholding nuts from children due to the risk of an allergic reaction, but more recent evidence suggests that introducing nuts at an early age lowers this risk (7Trusted Source, 8, 9Trusted Source).

Nevertheless, nuts can be a choking hazard, so make sure your child is able to handle the texture before giving nuts as a snack.

As long as your child is not allergic to nuts, trail mix is a healthy snack for kids to eat on the go.

Most commercial trail mixes contain chocolate candies, which are high in sugar, but you can easily make your own at home.

For a healthier version, mix nuts, dried fruit, and a whole-grain cereal.