Snacking is a super important part of healthy eating – especially when you’re a new mum who is constantly running around after her children – and this is something we understand on the Lose Baby Weight plans.
Planning your snacks is also important, so that you know that what you can grab from the fridge is healthy and tasty.
One of the easiest ways to derail your healthy eating plan is by keeping snacks that are bad for you in the house – as you have no other snacking options and then eat the bad stuff.
For your children, the best snacks to have on hand are those that are portable – something you can chuck into a bag, and that both mum and baby can eat. Here are a few examples to help you out.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt is an excellent snacking choice for both mums and little ones. It’s a brilliant source of calcium, and if it is low fat, it’s also a great weight loss snack too. Yoghurt is also packed with protein, which will keep you fuller for longer – a great choice for if you want a snack to tide you over until lunch. Natural yoghurts are best – try to opt for yoghurt that doesn’t contain anything artificial in the way of sweeteners or additives as this will be better for both you and your little ones.
If you want yoghurt with a bit of a sweet taste, you could add some runny honey or some chopped fresh or dried fruit. However, your little ones should not be eating honey until they are over the age of 1, as some bacteria present in honey could be harmful to those under the age of 1.
It’s generally recommended that your little one eat dairy products that are lower in fat when they are past the age of 2 – but before then, it is recommended that they consume full fat dairy as this does contain more nutrients and vitamins which will help your little one to grow big and strong! You could also consume full fat ocassionally – for the sake of a few calories, it’s nice to have a treat occasionally.
Vegetable Sticks & Dips
Worrying about how many vegetables your children are eating is a common worry for any mum – but there is a simple way for you to make it fun. Chop veggies into sticks and let your little ones dip, dip, dip to their heart’s content – a great way to get more vegetables into your little one’s tummies. This is a very easy way for you to increase your vegetable intake too!
For your vegetable dip, you could try blending up white beans – butter beans or chickpeas, in the blender with a garlic clove, squeeze of lemon and some salt and pepper for a dip that’s a little bit like hummus. You could freeze this dip in ice cube trays, then simply take it out of the freezer at the beginning of the day ready to use at lunch. Beetroot and zucchini are great kid-friendly veggies – simple grate or finely chop and stir into plain yoghurt or some low fat ricotta cheese. You could also add some avocado for a heart-healthy element. Hide more vegetables into the dip and your children will eat more of them!
You could also buy dips if you prefer from the supermarket – just make sure they are low in additives and sodium. You should also try to opt for dips with a high protein and fibre content as they will keep you fuller for longer.
Fruit
Fruit is a very easy, simple snack. Most fruits are completely portable – they are great for taking with you on the go. For your children, try to encourage them to eat fresh fruit – it is lower in sugar and better for them. With dried fruit, children have the habit of overeating, so it is best to stick to fresh where possible.
1 small packet of sultanas is equal to one serving of fruit, and the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that children under the age of 4 get 1-2 servings of fruit per day – so try not to let them overeat the sultanas!
Eggs
Eggs might sound like a little bit of a strange snack, but they are a great snack for on the go and they are also a great base for meals such as lunch or breakfast. Babies over 9 months can eat egg yolks, and then over the age of 12 months, they can eat the whites too. Boil the eggs and chop into salads, or chop into wedges. Eggs are great snacks for mums, too, as they are low in fat and very high in protein.
If you are ready to lose weight then the Lose Baby Weight plans offer a healthy and safe exercise and diet routine.
And don’t forget to check out our current promotions and discounts page to see what specials we have on this week on our Healthy Mummy product range
