Kids are hungry human beings. Most parents will never leave the house without an abundance of snacks to keep their little ones happy and quiet. All parents will also want their children to develop healthy eating habits, which can be a challenge in itself when it comes to snacks. Therefore, it’s important for parents to learn about which are the healthy snacks for their kids, and which ones to avoid. Petroleum-based snacks, artificial colorings, flavorings, and sweeteners are some of the worst things you can feed your little one.
Find out the worst snacks for your child, and the healthiest alternatives for happy minds and bodies.
Any snack that contains tBHQ should be avoided at all costs. This comes from petroleum, and is potentially carcinogenic, causing later problems down the line. This preservative is toxic, and has often been tested on lab rats with unfortunate results for the rats (such as cancer and cell damage). It can also lead to nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ear and collapse as well, and is thought to worsen ADHD symptoms.
You’d be surprised by the amount of snacks that contain tBHQ as a preservative, finding healthy alternatives is easy and simple. Just make sure to check the ingredients before you buy next time!
The types of snacks that contain tBHQ also contain an unrealistic amount of sugar that a child should eat in one go, usually in the form of corn syrup which contains high fructose. Digesting large amounts of sugar in such a short period can cause Type 2 diabetes, and increase your risk of having a stroke, heart attack, fatty liver, cancer, and dementia.
Don’t be fooled by Erythrosine being a red food coloring. In fact, it is high in iodine, and is a petroleum-based product. The results of consuming this type of food coloring can lead to cancer and other problems down the line. The types of snacks that contain these are funnily enough, usually fruit-based, yet they used a fake dye to give the impression real fruit was used.
If your child loves brightly colored snacks, why not dehydrate some fruit you have in your kitchen and give them some fruit chips? You can buy a dehydrator, or use your oven. Here is a good way to dehydrate your fruit, so your child can enjoy a healthy, yet guilt-free snack.
Some snacks that are fooling the nation contain a pesticide, methyl benzoate, which often gives the taste of ‘cheese’ in a snack. This is something that should definitely be avoided. Make sure to check the ingredients and if this name pops up, put it down and move onto the next option.
If your child is desperate for a cheesy snack, yet you want it to be on the healthier side, why not pop some fresh popcorn and add in some fresh parmesan cheese to give it a real-cheese taste. The cheese will melt slightly as the popcorn is hot, giving your child the craving forcheese they wish for, without needing to consume a pesticide at the first time.
Here are some other snacks and ingredients you should avoid:
If you aren’t the creative type, or the type of parent that has time to make these fancy snacks to please their little ones every demand, why not move to alternative, healthy, yummy snacks that you can’t go wrong with?
Avoid the yuckies, and introduce the yummies. What might come as a shock to you, might also give you the confidence to try out new recipes to give your kids the tasty snacks they are asking for. Don’t be afraid to stop buying unhealthy snacks, now you know what ingredients to look out for, you can double-check before buying anything your child asks for in the supermarket.
Don’t worry if your child isn’t responding well to these new snacks, and yet you want to fill them to the brim with healthy and delicious food. Whether you want your child to be eating the next superfood (albeit quinoa, kale, or the next best thing to make an appearance), or if you want to know how to introduce new foods to your child, you can start with this article on picky eating with great tips and tricks.
Never be lost for answers, where Google just doesn’t help and you aren’t sure who to believe anymore. Trust the experts who have been through it all, and who know the best way to do certain things. Of course, no child is the same, which is why we have experts in their unique fields giving their own professional advice.
Any snack that contains tBHQ, Erythrosine, and Methyl Benzoate should be avoided at all costs. You should also avoid snacks that contain GMO ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, MSG, artificial colors, and sweeteners.
This preservative is toxic and has often been tested on lab rats with unfortunate results for the rats (such as cancer and cell damage). It can also lead to nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ear, and collapse as well, and is thought to worsen ADHD symptoms.
Yogurt, popcorn, celery with peanut butter, sweet potato fries, banana cake, and kale chips are some alternative yummy snacks your kids will love, that don’t have any nasties in them.
