Practical Research-based Information from the Nation's Leading Universities
Hot Topic: Healthy Snacks for Kids
Finding, selecting and preparing nutritious snacks is a challenge when junk food can be so attractive and prevalent. As parents and youth professionals, we have to ask “Are we helping our children to make healthy choices?” CYFERnet offers the following links to guide adults and youth in selecting healthy snacks, the fuel between meals.
School Food Unwrapped: What’s Available and What Our Kids Actually Are Eating
This 2008 brief from Child Trend addresses the prevalence of vending machines in schools, types of food and beverages sold and what fifth grade students are actually consuming.
Teaching Kids What to Eat Where They Eat: Developing and Pilot Testing the Nutrition Education in Foodservice Toolkit
A research summary from the Journal of Extension (August 2009) looks at working with school food services as partners to address healthy eating and engaging parents in modeling healthy eating at home.
Kids a Cookin'
A one-stop website with recipes, tips and techniques, cooking terms, and how-to videos for cooking with children in the kitchen. Developed by Kansas State Research & Extension Family Nutrition Program.
Eat Smart North Carolina: Snack and Drink
Provides simple solutions to healthy snacking. Although developed in North Carolina, the information and tips are applicable to all.
Why Snacks? Nibbles for Health 22
A great handout for parents addressing snacking for young children.
Food for Me Too
Information on nutrition for the toddler and preschooler. It addresses creating a positive environment, eating patterns, and menu suggestions.
Eat Right 25 Healthy Snacks for Kids
Food, nutrition and health tips from the American Dietetic Association. It lists simple and nutritious snacks for children.
The Food for Fitness and Fun web site from Iowa State University Extension offer ideas on trying healthy snacking and fitness activities for children and youth:
Healthy Snacking Segment 493
Tips on healthy snacking for children from the Family Album Radio, University of Florida IFAS Extension (audio file).