Ask the average Australian parent, and they’ll tell you that as kids grow, they get hungry! This is just a fact of life, as they need the extra vitamins, nutrients and calories to develop both the mind and body. This child nutrition process can't work correctly though, if the options they turn to at snack time are made up of unhealthy junk food, so healthier choices need to be provided.
Whether talking about crisps, chocolate and fast food, they tend to be loaded with refined sugar and fat, but not with nutrients. So, to help you in this regard, we're about to give you 10 healthy foods you can swap for those biscuits and other ‘empty calorie' foods, after which we’ll be telling you about flexible OCA childcare nutrition training that can help boost your knowledge on the subject.
So, if you've got your notebook and pen ready, here we come with ten tasty, healthy alternatives!
Option #1 - Popcorn:
Despite being thought of as junk food, child nutrition guidelines show us that popcorn is a surprisingly healthy snack, as long as it’s not covered in fat-rich toppings.
Option #2 - Nuts:
Extraordinarily healthy and loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants and fibre, this is a great, filling snack for your kids to turn to when they’re peckish.
Option #3 - Sliced Pears:
Another great choice for child nutrition-conscious people is sliced pears that are again high in fibre and contain health-supporting plant compounds.
Option #4 - Cheese:
Made of fat, protein and lots of essential calcium, cheese has a filling effect that can keep children's hunger under control between meals.
Option #5 - Hard Boiled Eggs:
Take a tafe online nutrition course, and you'll soon see that hard-boiled eggs are great for hunger while also offering vitamins and minerals!
Option #6 - Box of Raisins:
As the dried form of grapes, raisins contain all the same nutrients found in fresh grapes. Iron in particular, is provided - something that most kids don't get enough of.
Option #7 - Kale Chips:
Kids love crunchy things, and there's nothing healthier or crunchier than kale chips, which provide vitamins K, C and A. They're really tasty too!
Option #8 - Hummus & Carrot Sticks:
For a creamy, good child nutrition option, carrot sticks dipped in hummus (basically creamed chickpeas) provide antioxidants, fibre and folate.
Option #9 - Olives:
Succulent and tasty, olives are full of free radical-busting antioxidants and healthy fats, so they make a great snack for kids. That said, it's advisable to go for ones with the pit taken out.
Options #10 - Guacamole & Bell Peppers:
Our last choice is satisfying & crunchy bell peppers dipped in mouthwatering guacamole. They're not just tasty but also full of carotenoids, fibre and vitamin C.
Get the Childcare Nutrition Training You Need With OCA
As we can see, there are more than enough delicious options that you can introduce into your child's diet to help them avoid those unhealthy junk food options - and this is just the tip of the iceberg! You can find out many more ways to provide a healthy diet for your kids with the flexible child OR adult nutrition courses from OCA, like our Healthy Eating For Kids Course.
This, like all the training we offer to students across Australia, is CPD-approved, video-based for a stimulating learning experience and delivered 100% online. You can find out more about it, as well as our flexible payment options and one on one tutor support by visiting us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au.
If, however, you'd like to speak to a member of our friendly team about how we can help you get the knowledge and professional skills you need, simply call our education support worker on 1300 611 404, and we’ll do our utmost to assist you in any way we can.
