As any parent quickly finds out, the snacking that we adults do just for kicks (and as an excuse to fit a few tasty treats in), is essential for helping our children to maintain their energy levels as their bodies grow. And, when we’re keeping a snack cupboard stocked for the little people in our lives, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of regular, not-always healthy snacking ourselves.
After all, while we might not necessarily need those extra meal-time additions, it can be difficult to sit back and watch our kids tuck into something tasty without at least giving it a try. The trouble is that, if you’re doing this twice daily like your kids will need to, detrimental effects like weight gain can soon creep in. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you should set the impossible task of not snacking at all. It simply means you need to install the following tips to make sure that you’re snacking in the right ways.
Photo by Ola Mishchenko on Unsplash
# 1 – Stock up on plenty of fruit
While it’s tempting to stock up on ready-to-go snacks as offered by brands like Kidilicious, fruit-based snacks like the fun recipes found at greatist.com are a better option for everyone. As such, stocking up on a wide range of fruits like bananas, strawberries, watermelon, and so on is always better than a fully-kitted snack cupboard that leads you all into temptation. What’s more, the ability to set a positive example here by getting stuck into tasty fruit-based treats yourself increases the chances that your kids are going to enjoy those snacks that bit more themselves.
# 2 – Get adult-friendly alternatives to high-fat options
When you do step outside of the fruit world, it’s also important to note that kiddy snacks like yoghurts, cheese dippers, and cereals should be high-fat as this is what your kids’ bones and bodies need to thrive. For you, however, snacking on full-fat treats twice a day isn’t such a good idea. Luckily, there are low-fat alternatives to most foods these days, including low-fat yoghurts and the weight-loss cereal found on sites like itsgrowli.com. Without risking eating something completely different than your kids will inevitably want, these adult-friendly snack alternatives provide the ideal middle-ground for getting your snack-based fix without piling on the pounds as soon as you do so.
# 3 – Keep your portions smaller
While adult portions are inevitably bigger than kids meals, you don’t need these snacks in the same way that your kids do. As such, instead of pouring yourself a small bowl of even that healthy cereal, you would be better off just grabbing a handful to keep your kids company as they eat. Equally, if they’re having something like cheese and crackers, making sure to eat only one can fulfil your craving without putting your waistline, and your overall health, at risk.
Snack time can be a struggle as a parent, but there’s no need for you to start longly as your kids tuck in if you simply snack with this advice in mind.
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