Healthy Snacks for Kids Don’t Have to Cost More
I am not against my children having cupcakes for a friend’s birthday or candy here and there…it’s all about teaching balance. However, I do feel that I have to be stricter about the snacks that I provide for them at home, just due to the fact of all the kinds of snacks they are exposed to when they are away from home. In addition, I have discovered the snacks that I have at home really have an
impact on what they eat at mealtime. If they know that there are chips in the cupboard waiting for them after dinner, why would they want to eat their dinner? When it’s your family’s turn to bring snacks to school or activities opt for healthier options. You, along with the other adults, might be surprised at the children’s reaction.
But does healthier mean more money? Not necessarily! It’s all about being a smart and creative shopper. Here are some examples for classroom snacks:
Classroom Snacks – 24 children
| Option A (recently brought by a parent at my daughter’s preschool):
Total: $13.13 |
Option B: Mix Your Own Trail Mix
Total: $12.98 |
Your Child’s Birthday Classroom Party – 24 children
Option A
Total: $23.99
|
Option B (I have tried this with my daughter’s class, it was a hit!):
Total: $20.92 |
Other ideas to get the most nutritional “bang for your buck:”
| Yogurt tubes: $7.03
16 pack: $4.54 + 8 pack: $2.54 |
vs. | Pudding cups: $8.72
6 pack: $2.18 |
| Baby carrots: $5.00
2 lb bag: $2.50 x 2 |
vs. | Small bags of chips: $7.99 |
| String cheese: $7.18
12 pack: $3.59 x 2 |
vs. | Crackers and cheese spread packs: $8.78
15 pack: $5.49 |
| Clementines: $5.97
(5 lb bag) |
vs. | Capri Sun Coolers: $6.00
10 pack: $2.50 |
| Boxes of raisins $5.28 6 pack: $1.32 x 4 |
vs. | Fruit Roll-Ups: $6.45
10 pack: $2.68 |
What do you bring when it’s your turn? Please pass along your ideas…
Additional Resources
Guest Blogger, Carrie Scheidel
love this cost comparison! would love to see the nutrition comparison, too!
Some very nice examples! Will use them in our classroom very soon.
Do you have this as a nice one-page handout? This would be great for parents as a handout for Back to School night, etc. Thanks!
No, we don’t have this in a handout form…but it is a good idea. Peggy
I agree, a handout would be excellent. This could go home with students at the beginning of the year with their first snack calendar. I send lots of the fresh fruits with my kids for snack and they usually don’t bring any home. Last month I decided I would send pudding cups and more than half of them came back. So, the kids enjoy the more nutritious snacks better anyway!
I like your information on comparising. My daughter rather have fruit and vegetables over sweets anyway.