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.

The Worst Snacks For Kids

1. tBHQ (Petroleum-Based) Snacks

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.

2. Erythrosine (Red Food Coloring) Snacks

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.

Dehydrate Your Own Fruit To Make Your Own Fruit Chips

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.

3. Methyl Benzoate (A Pesticide)

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.

Make Your Own Cheesy Popcorn

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.

Other Snacks And Ingredients To Avoid

Here are some other snacks and ingredients you should avoid:

• GMO Ingredients
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Trans Fat
• MSG
• Artificial Colors And Sweeteners

Healthier Alternative Snacks For Your Kids (That Will Do Good For The Mind AND The Body)!

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?

• Yogurt – contains live bacteria for the digestive system.
• Popcorn – see point 3 above for an alternative to Cheetos.
• Celery With Toppings – peanut butter is often a loved choice.
• Trail Mix – The Healthy Version – avoid having too much chocolate, or any chocolate at all.
• Sticking to granola and dried-up fruits is the healthiest.
• Make Your Own Fruit-Roll – blend your fruit, and put it on a tray to harden in the fridge. Then, simply roll it up and you have a made-at-home fruit roll up!
• Cottage Cheese – enjoyed at any time of the day, with a piece of bread, fruit, or cheese.
• Homemade Fruit Smoothie – place your favorite fruits in a blender, add some milk or water (try and avoid fruit juices that contain a lot of sugar), and blend! Choose strawberries and bananas or mango, peach and passionfruit, or a mixture of your child’s favorite fruit, and watch their eyes light up. You can even make the smoothie into a smoothie bowl by adding granola on top for a crunch and letting them eat with a spoon.
• Banana Cake – any type of cake or bread that has banana in it is yummy and super healthy.
• Find a recipe online, (often needing only one bowl and avoiding using any butter), and let your little one go wild with a delicious piece of cake.
• Sweet Potato Fries – air fry or oven-bake your sweet potato fries, and let them snack away.
• Kale Chips – place some kale into an oven or air fryer with a tiny bit of oil, and you’ll be left with
• Carrot Sticks With Hummus – delicious, yummy, and crunchy.
• Apple With Peanut Butter – you can’t go wrong with this. Choose crunchy peanut butter for an even crunchier snack.
• Some Fruit – plain old fruit can often do the trick. Place some strawberries and blueberries in a bowl, and they’ll be as happy as ever.

Petroleum-Based Snacks Aren’t The Only Way To Go. Switch To A Healthier Alternative For A Happier Child

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.

Lost On What Snacks Are The Tastiest? Ask Mums From Across The Globe Their Thoughts

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Worst Snacks For Kids?

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.

What Does tBHQ do when eaten?

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.

What Are Alternative Healthy Snacks For My Kids?

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.

Lauren Anderson