Packed Snacks Don’t Stack Up

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Packed Snacks Don’t Stack Up

Snacks are a great opportunity to fuel growing bodies and minds, they can be quick, easy and healthy, and this is more likely to be true when they are not from a packet.

“Popcorn can be an easy, light and healthy snack to give kids, but did you know that some pre-packaged microwave popcorn contains more fat than a Big Mac burger?” says Southland District Health Board HEHA Manager Melanie McKenzie.
So the Southland DHB advises that when it comes to giving kids snacks, not to just reach for the packets.

“Instead try and choose simple, home-prepared snacks – that way you’ll know what’s in them,” says Mrs McKenzie. “ For example popcorn made on a stove or in a popcorn maker is usually much better for kids, especially as you get to choose how much fat or sugar you add.”

The focus on healthy snacking is part of a nationwide campaign running during February from the national healthy eating programme Feeding our Futures, which offers parents advice on how to achieve a healthy diet for kids.

Popcorn is just one snack idea for kids being promoted but there are many others that can save parents time and money, made from everyday items found in the fridge or kitchen cupboard.

“Another great quick snack is a mini pizza – made using a half muffin or pita bread, topped with tomato puree, cheese, a few mushrooms and grilled – simple!” said Mrs McKenzie.

“To make sure your kids will eat them, try getting kids to help you prepare the snacks. If they’ve helped make them, they’re more likely to want to try them.”
Snacks like banana smoothies or fruit kebabs are an easy, fast example that kids can have fun making. Or choose colourful snacks that are cut up into bit size pieces – like carrot sticks or cut up fruit.

According to a national survey, New Zealand children are snacking on more high-fat, high-sugar snacks then is good for them. Snacks like potato crisps, corn snacks and chips were consumed weekly by 93 percent of New Zealand kids. Biscuits were consumed weekly by 78 percent and but only 17 percent of children were eating popcorn weekly.

With less then half of New Zealand children eating fruit at least twice a day, and 57 percent eating vegetables three or more times day, snacking on fruit and vegetables is also a great way of making sure kids are getting enough goodness in their diets.

The message about snacking from Feeding our Futures is “make it quick, make it easy, make it fun.” They are offering parents lots of new ideas for tasty, quick, healthy snacks. For more ideas visit www.feedingourfutures.org.nz
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Top Snack Ideas for Kids
• Carrot and celery sticks with dip
• Hard boiled eggs
• Home-made popcorn
• Cherry tomatoes
• Mini muffins
• Crackers and cheese
• Cereal and milk
• Celery with peanut butter filling
• Pikelets
• Fruit bread
• Sliced apple
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Healthy Snacks recipes: (photos available)
Crowded Canoes: Simple fun and tasty!
• Chop up sticks of celery
• Add a scoop of either peanut butter or cottage cheese
• Add a few raisins
• Add a few rice bubbles
• Enjoy!
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Mini – Pizzas
• Take a half an English muffin or a pita bread
• Top with some tomato puree or a sliced tomato
• Grate cheese on top
• Add a few sliced mushrooms
• Grill until cheese is bubbling
• Enjoy!
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Popcorn with sweet and spice topping
• Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a heavy-based saucepan
• Add 1 cup of popping corn
• Cover the pan with a lid and shake over the heat to prevent browning
• Corn should be popped in 2 – 3 minutes
• Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a 1⁄2 cup of sultanas after the corn has popped
• Enjoy!
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ends

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