Snack tips for hungry children (They are always hungry)

I’m hungry. I want a snack. Where are the snacks? Did you bring me a snack? Nack peeese.  No matter how they say it, they are always hungry, unless it’s actually meal time. 

Here are a few snack tips that may keep some peace and add some structure to your snack time routines. 

Snack time should have a beginning and an end. Endless snacking is harmful to meal time and can hinder a healthy relationship with food. 

With that said giving them some power goes a long way with your sanity and their development. Have a bowl of fresh fruit available for easy access. Carry an apple in your bag. If they are truly hungry then they will always have an option. 

Fruit and veggies have nutrient properties that send triggers to your brain that you are full. Packaged snacks have properties that tell your brain, you want more!

Try and pair packaged snacks with whole foods when possible like nuts, nut butters, fruit, veggies, whole grains etc.  

It’s okay to run out of their favorite snack. Really! Does that make me a bad parent? Nope! In fact, not always having their most favorite on hand forces them, even if it’s just a new snack, to try something new. Yes, there will be some tears but soon they will adjust to the fact that goldfish run out and we can get more later. That’s a good life lesson. 

When it comes to snack times you may need to think outside of the box. If your child is hungrier or possibly even happier at the times of day that are typically snack times rather than meal times, consider making snacks more like mini meals and vice versa. Doing this can take some advance thought and preparation but it would typically just be for a phase and could really lessen meal time stress. 

Hope this helps, let me know!

Live well friends,
Christy