KTK-Nutrition

Kids are   meant   to snack — and not only is it okay, but it’s also recommended. Growing children have small stomachs, high energy needs, and long stretches between meals. A balanced after‑school snack helps stabilize blood sugar, improve mood, support learning, and prevent the “hangry” dinner‑time meltdown. According to updated  USDA meal‑pattern guidance , snacks for school‑age children should include  two food groups  such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein foods, or dairy. Snacks aren’t “ruining dinner.” They’re fueling growth. The key is choosing  nutrient‑dense  options — not ultra‑processed, sugary ones. 🥕  What Makes a Healthy Snack? 🍓  1. Fruits & Vegetables Kids are more likely to eat produce when it’s served consistently — and snack time is the perfect opportunity. Fresh berries, apples, oranges, cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes Frozen fruit (thaws quickly!) Veggies with a dip that actually satisfies (like hummu...

Snacks – should kids have snacks?   Do snacks ruin a kid’s appetite?   Are snacks healthy?   So often I hear that kids shouldn’t have snacks.   A friend recently stated her kids are always hungry after school, but they don’t know if they should get snacks or what snacks to give them.   All kids not only should have snacks but actually need snacks.  Kids, especially younger kids, have very small stomachs.  They can’t eat large amounts of food at meals so they get hungry between meals.  USDA sets a meal pattern for child care centers and this meal plan has a morning snack and an afternoon snack.  School-age kids should have an after-school or afternoon snack every day.  After-school snacks are a great opportunity to provide kids with nourishing options that keep their energy levels up.   But this snack shouldn’t be gorging on junk food.  What are some guidelines for healthy snacks and what are some snacks kids can make for th...

Many kids are going back to school in August and not just via Zoom.   Kids need snacks after school – but healthy snacks. Some parents won’t give their kids snacks thinking snacks are unhealthy, snacks spoil a kid’s appetite, or that kids just don’t need snacks.   But kids do need snacks. Pre-school kids need snacks twice a day -morning and afternoon.   School-age kids need an after-school snack.   One reason kids need snacks is because they have small stomachs and eat smaller amounts at meals and then get hungry between meals.   They also need snacks to meet their daily nutritional needs. If you give kids healthy snacks, the snacks contribute nutrients and good nutrition that kids need to grow.   Snacks should be small enough to help curb hunger pains but not too filling the child eats less at meal time. Deana Hildebrand, a nutrition specialist with the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Services notes :   “The trick is to provide snack...