Planning snacks for toddlers can be daunting. Kids eventually get bored with goldfish or animal crackers and milk for snack each day. Mix it up with quick and nutritious toddler snack offerings. Here is a sample 2-week snack menu with morning and afternoon snacks that are appropriate for preschool age children.Having problems getting the children in your care to eat what you’re serving? As toddlers develop good eating habits, their preferences and habits will be irregular. this is a normal part of development. The amount of foods they eat, the food textures they prefer, and their food choices will vary from day to day as they develop. Toddlers assert their independence and individuality through their food choices.. The best way to deal with the inconsistencies is to understand that the irregular preferences are a normal part of toddler development. Have patience for eventually the child will come around.
A few tips:
- Be sure to serve water with all snacks.
- According to the National Network for Childcare, a preschooler’s total caloric intake is about 1,000-1200 calories and snacks should provide an estimated 20 to 25 percent of those calories.
- Never force your child to eat. The more you push a child to eat, the more they will refuse to eat. Patience, understanding, and good role modeling go a long way in helping picky eaters develop healthy eating habits and enjoy food.
Suggested Preschool or Daycare Snack Menu
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| AM Snack | Barbara’s Bite Size Shredded Oat Squares & pear, plum, peach, apple or other in-season fruit | Whole wheat pita & sunflower seed butter | Orange slices & ak mak Crackers | Carrots & Wheat Chex Cereal
Directions: Cook carrots for toddlers and cut lengthwise for Younger Preschool
|
Kashi Autumn Harvest Cereal and
strawberry & banana smoothie:
Directions per batch: Blend
1 ½ cups low-fat vanilla yogurt + 2 bananas + 2 cups of milk + 1 ½ cup frozen strawberries until smooth
*Use full fat dairy for children < 2 years of age.
|
| PM Snack | Sliced Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese & apple, pear, plum or peach slices (depending on season and availability) | Kashi Cinnamon Harvest Cereal & apple or pear Slices | Whole Wheat Penne or Kamut Spirals (sprayed lightly with olive oil) & defrosted frozen peas
Grated parmesan on the side.
|
Banana slices or other leftover fruit & low-fat vanilla yogurt
Directions: Cut bananas into small slices and serve over low-fat vanilla yogurt
|
Mi-Del 100% Whole Wheat Graham Crackers & cucumber slices |
No related posts.
