
Your child may look forward to having a snack during the day. It seems like nothing can truly compare to a sweet candy or their favorite potato chips, but these foods are high in sugar and carbohydrates. That means eating too much of them can leave your little one at a higher risk of developing cavities! Thankfully, there are some great substitutes that you can encourage. Read on to learn three healthy children’s snack alternatives that are both yummy and beneficial for their oral health.
1.) Peanut Butter and Banana Quesadilla
Making a quesadilla from peanut butter and banana is a fun treat that is very tasty. These ingredients will give your child healthy fats, protein, potassium, and fiber! It can also be quick and easy to prepare. First, you spread some peanut butter over a whole-wheat tortilla. Cut a banana into slices and place them on one half of the tortilla. You can sprinkle cinnamon over it to give it some more flavor and then fold it in half!
Lastly, cut the quesadilla into triangles, and you’re done! Serve it up to your little one and watch as it hopefully becomes a big hit!
2.) Frozen Fruit Popsicles
If your child loves popsicles, then you can switch to making some at home as store-bought ones are full of artificial flavors and refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. They are simple to make; you blend your child’s preferred frozen fruit or berries with some water or a small amount of fruit juice in a blender. You can even add some honey if you want to give it a little more sweetness. Next, pour the mixture into some small plastic cups or popsicle molds and cover with foil. Put in popsicle sticks through the foil and freeze.
Fruits are rich in healthy nutrients for your little one, and there are many kinds so you can play around with different combinations to keep this frozen treat fun and exciting!
3.) Veggie Pita Pocket
For a more savory option, you can create this snack to help your child eat more vegetables! This treat involves spreading hummus on a whole-wheat pita pocket. Next, slice up some raw vegetables that your child loves (such as cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, etc.) and fill the pita. That’s it! Veggies are a great way to give your child important vitamins and nutrients, and the combination with the hummus can create a yummy flavor that your little one may love!
Swapping out sweets, chips, and other sugar-filled snacks with these healthy options can encourage your child’s oral health. They are beneficial for them while ensuring that they are not at an increased risk of cavities, keeping their smile protected. Since they are versatile, play around with different fruit or vegetable combinations to keep the recipes fun and exciting, so you can feel confident when snack time comes around.
About the Practice
At Cove Choice Dental, we want you to ensure that your child can develop healthy habits when it comes to their oral health. Our team of skilled dentists knows how choosing the right snacks that won’t increase the risk of cavities can be difficult, so they are here to help you find the best alternatives that your little one will enjoy. If you want to learn more about how you can change your child’s diet to protect their smile, schedule an appointment or call us at (254) 987-6777.