Do school-age children need snacks every day?

​Half of American children now snack up to four times a day, according to a largescale study published in 2010. If you are parent of a school- aged child, you may have doubts about serving your child snacks every day. Now, you got your answer. Nutritionists agree that after-school snacks can be a good way to provide needed energy and nutrients for children. At the end of a school day, snacks provide an important energy boost for hungry children when homework or soccer practice looms.
 
Now, you might have another question. What is the best after-snack? What types of food are nutritious snacks? What kind of food should I avoid giving my child? According to the article from Stanford Children’s Health, here are some helpful mealtime tips for school-age children:
 
Take advantage of big appetites by serving healthy snacks, such as:

• Fruit
• Vegetables and dip
• Yogurt
• Turkey or chicken sandwich
• Cheese and crackers
• Milk and cereal

 
As much as possible, avoid high-calorie, high-sugar, and high-fat snacks. Things to avoid include sugary sodas, snack chips, candy, sweets, and processed foods low in nutritional value.
You can try some snacks that provide healthy carbohydrates for energy and proteins that build muscle. While bags of chips and cookies may be convenient, we definitely recommend fruits and vegetables more!
 
Now, when you think about what kind of food you should give your child, try these tips from OFH!