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in collaboration with
Amélie Curpain (dietician-nutritionist)
Pain au chocolat, peanut butter sandwich, cereal bar… Our advice for re-enchanting your children’s snack with homemade alternatives!
With the start of the school year, are you lacking inspiration for preparing snacks for your little ones? Amélie Curpain, dietician-nutritionist, gives us some ideas for healthy and quick snacks to make.
Children’s snacks, an important meal
Snack time is much more than just a snack: it is an essential meal in the day of little ones.
Indeed, when energy tends to decrease in the middle of the afternoon, a snack allows you to recharge your batteries and maintain concentration until dinner.
So how do you prepare it properly? Generally speaking, it should consist of a cereal product (wholemeal bread, cereals, etc.), a dairy product and a fruit. The size of the snack varies depending on the age and appetite of the children.
The only good reflex to keep in mind?
“It is absolutely necessary to avoid industrial biscuits, which are too rich in fat and sugar. Sugary drinks, such as fruit juices, should also be put aside.“, reveals Amélie Curpain, dietician-nutritionist.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
Snacks: 6 healthy and easy-to-make recipes
Our nutrition expert recommends choosing a quality cereal product, such as wholemeal bread rich in fiber, to make your children’s snacks.
“I often recommend making small sandwiches, either sweet or savory, for a snack.r,” she says.
Starting from this base, many variations can be made, such as:
- Bread with a little butter or nut butter (peanut butter or almond butter), rich in good fats;
- Bread with a bar of dark chocolate tucked inside;
- Bread with a piece of cheese.”Individual cheeses, such as Babybel, are not only practical, but also rich in calcium and protein,” explains the expert.
If you have some time on your hands, other ideas for “homemade” snacks can also be considered, such as:
- A cereal bar”made from oat flakes, oilseeds, eggs, dates and applesauce, to sweeten naturally” ;
- Banana bread style muffins,containing bananas, an egg, cottage cheese, a little yeast and chocolate chips” ;
- Applesauce Pancakes”which also keep very well in the freezer“.
“These healthy snacks should be accompanied by a fruit, preferably whole and pre-cut. Drinkable compotes – without added sugars – are a good alternative, although they have a lower fiber content“, underlines Amélie Curpain.”Oil seeds, such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and cashews are also beneficial for the health of toddlers, as they are rich in protein, fibre, calcium and micronutrients.
To perfect this ideal snack, don’t forget… Dairy products!
“A plain yogurt, such as petit-suisse, is an excellent option. It can be garnished with fresh fruit, compote, honey, a little jam and even chocolate chips. The idea: always buy “plain” products and then sweeten them yourself.“, recommends the nutrition expert.
You are now ready!