What are the best healthy and nutritious snacks to give to kids? Are there snacks that are not so good for kids? Well, there are treats like high sugar desserts and candies that we all know are best kept to a minimum. Then there are snacks that are actually a treat but are disguised as healthy snacks. It’s these treat-snacks eaten on a daily basis that can lead to cavities.
Sneaky Treats Disguised as Healthy Snacks
Bars (Granola bars, protein bars, fruit bars)
Bars are a popular breakfast and lunch box item. However, bars are made to be sticky, and often have added sugar, processed oils, processed protein, and/or alternative sugars. Since they stick to your teeth for a long time, your mouth is exposed to the sugar for a long time. There are some bars with good ingredients that make a good occasional treat.
Crackers, pretzels, and dry cereal (processed flour products)
Crackers and pretzels are convenient snacks and have a long shelf life, so kids often get them in school or after-school activities. Dry cereal is a common breakfast food or snack. These processed flour products easily convert to sugars that stick to all the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Also, many crackers, pretzels, and dry cereals have added processed oils, preservatives, and sugar, and they are easy to overeat. That said, there are some crackers with good ingredients that are great to eat as a treat.
Dried mangoes and dried cranberries
Dried mangoes and cranberries are so tasty that it is very easy to eat the whole bag. Compared to fresh fruit, they can stay stuck to the teeth for a long time. In general, dried fruit can be a healthy snack when eaten in moderation. But dried mangoes are probably the stickiest dried fruit, and dried cranberries have added sugar and processed oils.That’s it. It’s really the daily snacks that can lead to cavities. Considering the above three categories as a treat puts you in a great position to prevent cavities for your kids!
In our next article, we will talk about the many nutritious and delicious snack options.
