In yesterday's New York Times, there was a really thought-provoking article on the growing trend of kids and snacking. One of the most interesting statistics was that 42% of Americans eat three or more snacks a day in 2002, up from 11% in 1977. Along with that trend towards snacking more comes the trend of eating fewer actual meals. The article cites plenty of reasons, from the marketing efforts of food manufacturers to the overscheduling of after-school activities.
Seems to me that what kids are snacking on is just as critical as how often they're snacking. I often put together a snack mix like this On-the-Go Trail Mix to satisfy 4 o'clock hunger pangs. What healthy snacks do you turn to?
From: Erika | 1/21/10 at 9:19 pm
This will inspire exactly no one, but my quick-grabs tend to be:
*string cheese + a banana
*handful of plain almonds + an apple
*cheese or peanut butter on a mini bagel.
I love trail mix but I can't really keep it around, because I have a hard time not eating the whole batch!
From: Adina Steiman | 1/22/10 at 10:34 am
Love those ideas, Erika! I forgot about what a great self-contained snack string cheese is. And yes, the trail mix tends to go fast, so I usually pack it into snack-size portions to take with me.
From: Chad | 1/31/10 at 3:46 pm
Like Erika, I don't think my ideas are terribly creative, but it's good to have some go to snacks if you want to stick to nutritious eating. My afternoon snack tends to be a piece of fruit (usually an apple, banana, or this time of year - cherries) with a quarter cup of nuts of some sort (I tend towards cashews). Some days I'll substitute a stick of cheddar cheese made with 2% milk (I'm not a big fan of string cheese). Also, a few crackers (I like Triscuit Thin Crisps, or some pita that I've sliced and baked) with a couple of tablespoons hummus is good. Also like to spread a reduced fat flavored cream cheese (like chive and onion) on a few crackers and top with cucumber slices. The key for me, working full time, is to plan ahead with lunch and snacks. I wrote a little more about it a week or so ago:
http://reconstructingthirty.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/brown-baggin-it/