Healthier snacks

Appropriate snacks can be an important part of a child's overall balanced diet.

Snack foods should compliment meals to ensure a good balance from the different food groups, so there is a good intake of all nutrients. For example, if cereal and milk is eaten at breakfast, a small banana makes a good snack. If toast and jam is eaten for breakfast, a yogurt makes a good snack.

Snacks should be treated like mini meals and children should be expected to sit and eat, rather than continuing their activities with a snack in their hand.

Snacks containing fat, sugar or salt such as crisps, chocolate, sweets and biscuits can be part of the diet but should be given occasionally as treats rather than daily items.

Milk and water are the best drinks to serve between meals. Sweetened drinks, including diluted fruit juice should only be consumed with, rather than between, meals to reduce the risk of dental problems.

Consumption of sugar-free fizzy drinks and fruit-based drinks should also be confined to mealtimes because the high acidity level of these drinks can cause dental erosion.

Some ideas for healthier snacks include:

Slices of apple, banana, lychees, kiwi fruit, strawberries, satsuma, grapes, raisins, baby carrots, celery sticks, scone, fruit muffin, scotch pancake, currant bun, apple cake, carrot cake, fruit yogurt or flavoured milk drink, dried fruits, raisins, pretzels, bread sticks with low fat cheese, water melon and cherry tomatoes.