Toddlers often have big appetites because their little bodies are growing and need lots of nourishment. Instead of the usual finger foods like Cheerios, you can try these simple and nutritious options to keep them happy and healthy—even your picky eater will love them!
Toddlers enjoy feeding themselves, even if they make a mess doing it! While there are plenty of store-bought snacks, many are loaded with sugar and lack nutrition. To encourage healthier eating habits, here are some low-sugar, real-food snacks that will please both kids and parents.
For a homemade snack that’s both quick and healthy, try making kale chips. They have a satisfying crunch similar to potato chips, but with extra fiber and folate. Plus, their slight saltiness makes them a hit with kids. Root veggies like beets, parsnips, and jicama are great for dips and offer a crunchy alternative to chips. If you need a quick option, plantain chips from Thrive Market are great, and they’re ready-made.
Toddlers might surprise you and enjoy parsnips when they’re made into fries. Just be cautious with spices; for a toddler-friendly version, skip the cayenne pepper. Making grain-free crackers might sound complicated, but it’s really easy with just a few ingredients. They pair well with veggies, cheese, or dips for a crunchy treat.
A fun trick I learned is to give food a playful name. For example, call de-stringed celery with almond butter “celery smiles.” For more advanced toddlers, this makes the experience more exciting.
Toddlers can make quite a mess, which gives them their fun and keeps them occupied. Serve foods with a healthy dip before bath time for a nutritious playtime. For example, avocado provides good fats that help brain development, and it works well as guacamole with slices of carrots, celery, cucumbers, and peppers.
Set up a smoked salmon dip for a fancy treat that can double as a meal with crackers or veggie sticks. For those avoiding grains or legumes, try a cauliflower hummus to sneak in some veggies.
To introduce new flavors or textures, use purees as dips with familiar foods. For a handy snack on the go, try Serenity Kids pouches, filled with good fats and proteins that support strong development.
For portable snacks, consider these:
Homemade fruit snacks are low in sugar and high in protein-boosting gelatin, improving skin, hair, and digestive health. Fruit gummies might be tasty but watch out for sugar content—I haven’t found a suitable store-bought version yet.
Energy bars for kids keep them nourished and are easy to pack.
For sandwich alternatives, skip the bread and use cucumber slices for mini sandwiches with cream cheese, tomato, sliced cheese, or meat. Alternatively, use crunchy lettuce to wrap chicken, beef, or vegetables with homemade mayo, or serve as dips if wraps are too tricky for little hands.
For breakfasts, these options work well for toddlers:
Apple cinnamon muffins are grain-free and sweetened naturally, great for mornings. Banana bread muffins can also be bite-sized by making them in a mini muffin tin.
Breakfast burgers, made from sausage patties with herbs and spices, offer protein and are easy to eat with sides like boiled eggs or grape tomatoes.
Sometimes you just need to change how you serve food to make it appealing to toddlers. Cubed veggies or skewers work well, just use safer options like popsicle sticks.
Greek meatballs with rice pasta or spaghetti squash are delicious on skewers with tomatoes and cucumber, served with tzatziki sauce.
Finding good snacks for kids can be challenging, especially avoiding those full of sugar and preservatives. I love homemade recipes, but to save time and money, I often buy snacks from Thrive Market, where I find great deals on organic foods.
What about you? Do you have favorite snacks you like to serve your little ones? I’d love to hear your healthy snack ideas!
