Why oh why do my kids prefer snacking AND Tried and True Recipes GALORE (That my kids will eat!)

Strategy 1: Snacking on the Go

Carry an arsenal of munchies to dole out when you’re on the go. But too often, I can give snacks to distract or occupy the girls while I’m running errands or on long drives. Grazing on the go also makes it hard for Annora and Delise to focus on their food and listen to their internal signals of hunger and fullness. Eating in the car can even be risky. I’ve often times thought about “what if” one of them chokes, I may not be able to get to them right away.

My Smarter Strategy: Carry one or two small and easy snacks — such as a banana or small container of whole-grain crackers — in case hunger strikes while you’re out. Try other distractions first (such as a book or small toy) when you need to buy time.

Strategy 2: Timing Is Everything

It’s frustrating when the girls come to the table at mealtime and don’t want to eat. It’s true that sometimes their appetites fluctuate day to day, but I believe snacking is also to blame. Snacks before mealtime can make kids less receptive to trying new foods at meals. Delise has also learned to prefer “snack foods” — such as pretzels and gummy fruit snacks — over “meal foods,” which can make things even tougher.

My Smarter Strategy: Avoid snacks in the hour before meals. If their hunger doesn’t seem to match up with our mealtimes, I consider moving meals earlier or serving them a portion of the meal, such as the veggies, while I finish prepping.

Strategy 3: Make Snacks Nutritious

Sadly I have found that many snack foods that are marketed to kids are full of refined flour, added sugar and salt. Those foods are OK to eat occasionally, but they don’t provide the nutrients my kids need the most (such as calcium, iron and fiber) and they teach kids to associate “snack” with “treat.” I don’t know how many times my girls ask for candy when I say “Would you like a snack.”

My Smarter Strategy: During most snack times, I serve the same kinds of foods I serve at mealtime, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains including whole-wheat tortillas or bread as options, sources of protein such as hard-boiled eggs and hummus, and dairy foods such as yogurt and cheese.

Mistake 4: Establish a Snack Schedule

I was that mom that let my girls nibble on snacks all day long because I felt like their little bodies were growing so they needed food CONSTANTLY! What I realized was that by letting my kids nibble all day not only ruined their mealtime appetites, but it also set up bad habits.

My Smarter Strategy: I decided to establish scheduled snack times. The girls can go two hours between meals and snacks, so a mid-morning, mid-afternoon and evening snack may work well.