Smart Snacking Ideas
February 14, 2024

PMC Smart Snacking Ideas
Let's talk about snacks! Snacking can get a bad rap. It is easy to grab handy items such as cookies or chips, but these aren't going to put fuel in your tank to keep you going throughout the day. Snacking smart can be a very healthy way to maintain body weight, add nutrients to your daily food intake, and help you not overeat at meals.
A health snack is...
- Consumed in between meals (so 1-2 snacks/day), but no later than 20 minutes before a meal
 - Low in fat and added sugar and salt
 - High in fiber (3g or more per serving) and/or protein so it will keep you full until your next meal
 
Some smart snacking ideas...
- Low fat cheese stick with whole grain crackers (whole wheat will be the first ingredient listed on the ingredient panel), such as Triscuits
 - Peanut butter or cream cheese on celery sticks with raisins or cranberries (good old fashioned ants on log!)
 - 1/2 whole wheat pita with hummus and fresh vegetables
 - Fruit and yogurt parfait with a sprinkle of granola (make it Greek yogurt for an added protein punch!)
 - Popcorn
 - Frozen multigrain waffle topped with fruit and yogurt
 - Handful of trail mix
 - 1 slice of thin crust veggie pizza
 - 1 cup of milk with a few graham crackers
 - 100 calorie bag of pretzels dipped in ranch dressing
 - Apple slices dipped in cinnamon sugar or nut butter
 - Single serving cottage cheese topped with fruit
 - Orange or grapefruit slices
 - Hardboiled egg
 - Baby carrots dipped in dressing or hummus
 - Turkey and cheese roll ups
 - Oatmeal with fresh berries
 - Yogurt smoothie with fresh fruit and milk
 
Tips to making smart snacking easier...
- Have a dedicated section of your fridge or pantry with healthy, easy to grab snacks.
 - Plan ahead - be sure to add some healthy snacks to your weekly grocery list.
 - If you are going to be "on the go" that week, plan snacks that do not require refrigeration or that are easy to eat in the car.
 - Don't snack mindlessly in front of the TV or computer. Portion out your snacks (don't eat from the bag) and eat off a plate in the kitchen. Be sure to look on the Nutrition Facts panel and see what the recommended serving size is.
 - Schedule meals and snacks to avoid 'grazing' or skipping meals.
 
Can you add any tasty snack ideas to our list?


No-plate dinners mean no dishes and no pressure—everyone builds their own meal. The only challenge? Be ready for a little mess and some planning. To encourage selective eaters to try new foods, it is important to create exposure opportunities in a no pressure environment.  No plate dinners and/or grazing tables provide
 

We know that transitioning back to school can bring excitement, challenges, and lots of questions—so we’ve created a comprehensive Fall 2025 campaign to help support your child every step of the way. From therapy tips and healthy lunch ideas to movement routines and fun events, our team is ready to help children of all
 

This summer, have fun in the sun and stay safe in the water! Here are a few tips for caregivers and parents to keep kids safe this summer.                                                                  Quick Facts:                                                                                Drowning is the number one cause of injury death in children ages 1-4.                                                                                     Nearly 70% of drownings among children under four occur during non-swim times.                                                                                     Bathtubs are the most common location of drownings inside the home, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve children less than one year old.                                                                                            Drowning is almost always silent, and it only takes seconds.
 

Getting a selective eater to try new foods is a process. Keep in mind that the goal is to provide your child with the opportunity to be exposed to new foods. Continue to introduce them to unfamiliar foods, have them see that you eat and enjoy them, all the while making sure they have safe foods that they know they can count on. Giving your child permission helps to reduce anxiety around new foods. Inviting your child to be around and try new foods is a very different experience than forcing them to try new foods.
 

With summer here, your kiddos are likely on a constant hunt for snacks. To help them develop healthy eating habits, try spacing meals and snacks about two hours apart. This gives their little tummies time to feel hungry, enjoy a snack, and recognize when they’re full.                       When kids “graze” throughout the day—eating small amounts here and there—their bodies have a harder time learning to recognize hunger and fullness cues. Grazing can also lead to more frequent choices of less nutritious, grab-and-go snacks.                                                                                                  Let's Support Healthier Habits                                                                  To support healthier habits, pre-plan snack options and post a visual snack “menu” on the fridge. This gives kids structure, helps them feel independent, and encourages better choices.                                          And why not make snack time fun and educational? Try simple food crafts together—it’s a great way to bond with your child(ren), have fun in the kitchen, and explore possible new foods at the same time!                                                                                       UNDER THE SEA:                                                                               Shark Snack Cups                         from Mommy's Fabulous Finds                                          Festive treat made with yogurt, jello, cool whip, graham crackers and optional gummy shark                                                                          Shark Week Bait                      from Alex Daynes                               A lighter treat that includes popcorn,                       white chocolate chips, f                                  ood coloring/sprinkles, Sixlet Candies, gummy sharks, and pretzel goldfish                                                                                                                         Candy Sushi                        from Happy Family Recipes                                                      Themed snack made with Rice Krispie Treats (butter, marshmallows, vanilla, Rice Krispie Cereal) Fruit Roll-Ups, large Swedish fish, mini Swedish Fish                                                                                                  BEACH + ANIMAL THEMES:                                                                               Beach Bear Dirt Cups                        from Made To Be A Momma                                          Celebrate summer with pool inspired lounging! Ingredients include: Teddy Grahams, white chocolate pudding, milk, cool whip, graham crackers, gummy life savers                                                                                                              Curious George Snack                        from Mess for Less (tip, Read a Curious George book to go along with this one!)                                          Enjoy a book and a snack with this Curious George inspired snack! Ingredients include: Nutella, s                       liced bananas, b                                  lueberries, r                                  ice cakes                                                                                     Animal Tracks Snacks                      from Loreen Leedy                               Great snack for the outdoorsy kid who enjoys animals! You can use a variety of ingredients including: cheese, crackers, pretzels, cream cheese, almonds and pepperoni                                                                                       FOR THE NATURE LOVER:                                                                  Nature Snacks                      : Edible Crafts for Kids - Parties With A Cause                               A large variety of snacks for nature lover of all kinds including all sorts of flora and fauna options!                                                                                       POPSICLES:                                                                  Fresh Fruit Popsicles                      from One Little Project                               How to Make Fruit Popsicles with Real, Fresh Fruit                                                                          Strawberry Breakfast Popsicles                      from Fraiche Living                               We can imagine all sorts of variations of this recipe! Start with the following simple ingredients: yogurt,                       fresh strawberries, milk (or your choice)                                   lemon juice and                                  granola                                                                                     Frozen Yogurt Banana Pops                      from Kalejunkie                               Such a simple, yet festive recipe that uses ingredients commonly found in the kitchen such as bananas, yogurt and sprinkes!                                                                                                     FOOD IMPOSTERS:                                                                               Pancake Donuts                      from Balanced with Babies                               Made with just two ingredients: pancake mix and milk! You will need a fun donut shaped mold for this recipe                                                                          Breakfast Banana Split                      - Art From My Table                               Ingredients include: banana, yogurt, blackberries, raspberries, granola, mini chocolate chips                                                                          Fruit Cracker Pizzas                      from Sunshine & Hurricanes                               Crackers + cream cheese + fruit!                                                                          Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats                      from My Heavenly Recipes                               Festive treat to be shared! Made with butter,                        marshmallows, R                                  ice Krispies, food coloring and chocolate chips
 
 
 
