Snacking

Three meals and at least two healthy snacks a day are needed by most under fives. Snacks for under ones are less important nutritionally as they usually get all the nutrients they need from solids and milk (breast milk preferably, or formula).  Foods given to small children between meals need to be healthy to contribute positively to their daily nutrient requirements.

Healthy Snack Suggestions

• Fruit – cut up or whole. Give frozen fruit a try, bananas are firm favourites
• Vegetables - cut up and served with dips like hummus, cottage cheese, salsa – e.g. carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, cooked broccoli florets or capsicum sticks
• Bread-based foods like sandwiches, English muffins, wholemeal pita bread, pikelets, rewena and fruit bread
• Yoghurt, cheese and fruit smoothies are all delicious snacks.

Drinks

Remember to offer your under five a drink at snack time. Water is the best drink to quench thirst, however, milk is a good drink too. Under fives should be having 2 cups of milk a day or the equivalent in other milk products such as cheese or yoghurt.