Key Points at a Glance
- When toddlers get hungry, it's always a good idea to have some small snacks on hand to nip whining in the bud.
- For many parents, packing snacks has become a routine when going on longer outings or even just to the playground.
- This immediately raises the question of which snacks are even suitable for this purpose.
- It's definitely a good idea to pack wet wipes along with your snacks.
When toddlers get hungry, they get cranky—a deeply human trait that even adults can’t always shake. But adults can just grab a snack on the go, and that’s that. For toddlers, however, you should always be prepared when going on an outing and pack some finger foods that are fresh, healthy, and will soothe an empty stomach.
Why Snacks and Light Meals Are Good for You
When it comes to “snacks for toddlers,” there’s more to it than just the practical aspect of satisfying hunger. From a nutritional standpoint, too, it’s a good idea to always have a few snacks on hand. This is because, especially in the first few years of life, children’s nutrient stores are still very small, which is why it’s important to regularly replenish these stores with new nutrients.
That means: It’s better to give your child something to eat every now and then. There are really no limits to your imagination as long as you stick to a few basic rules: no refined sugar and nothing that’s hard to digest. Vegetables and fruit will stay reasonably fresh for a few hours if stored in the right Tupperware containers.
Fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy and grain products
So when your toddler gets tasty and healthy snacks between meals, they do more than just keep your child full. They also boost your child’s performance and concentration—especially for children who are active and slim. If fruits and vegetables aren’t enough to satisfy their hunger, you can just as easily turn to foods that consist mainly of grains or dairy products.
Of course, many parents would like to find the time and energy to make snacks at home. Cookies, biscuits made from grains, or rusks—such as those made from spelt—are especially easy to make at home. This also ensures that as little or no refined sugar as possible is used in the preparation. But it’s not always possible to take care of this at home when getting ready for an outing.
Pay attention to the ingredients when shopping
So it’s good that retailers have now realized that children—especially toddlers—need a healthy, balanced diet and, as a result, carry a wide range of such products. However, as parents, you should take the time to check the ingredients on snacks for toddlers before buying them.
Too much sugar—especially in the early years of life—is not only very bad for the teeth; it is also virtually always the root cause of obesity. The Swiss Society for Nutrition recommends that no more than 10 percent of children’s daily energy needs be met by sugar. For children up to age three, this means a maximum of 25 grams; for children ages 4 to 6, a maximum of 35 grams of sugar per day. Ideally, however, children should consume significantly less than these amounts.
