Child snacks

Little stomachs are more suited to smaller more frequent meals which makes snacks an important nutritional balance.

A child’s stomach can only hold food that is about the same size as their clenched fist.

Eating smaller and more frequently makes sense.

Providing snacks is a great tool in being able to help overcome fussy eaters.

Snacks can provide the opportunity to offer a wider variety of foods in a day and can provide all the nutrients they need over the course of a day.

When providing snacks it is important to be mindful of them being a potential choking hazard. The preparation and presentation is key.

If at all possible try to avoid offering children snacks when you are on the go such as in the car.

Generally, children go on a 2 ½ – 3-hour cycle of hunger.

Meaning that your child may in the course of a day, depending on what time they rise and go to bed in the evening, have more than the traditional morning and afternoon tea snack times.

For some kids 6-8 snacks is better for them than having the standard 3 meals per day with 2 snacks in-between.

Normally not.

You may find that while in theory this would work in reality it may actually work in reverse.

A child can lose their appetite by the time the that a meal is finally presented, especially if there is a great time period in between.

• When they are at the stage of foods providing self-feeding, snacks are a good option.
• Breast/bottle feeds are considered snacks if they are at the solid food stage (as their intake of the solid food has increased).
• Make sure that milk is not substituted for snacks once they are over 12 months old.
• Keep an eye on the amount of milk offered. Milk is very filling and will make them not want to have anything else.
• Healthy snacks that encourage their own choice are a good idea, for example, chopped pieces of fruit on a small platter so they can decide what to eat.
• Look for snacks that are not loaded with sugar, salt and preservatives and that are slow release.
• Try to avoid highly refined snacks as well. Those that are high in sugar, fat and salt should be kept to a minimum.