Just like most of the teens, is the first thing your teenager do after coming back from school that is to raid the refrigerator?
However, snacking on the wrong foods may add unwanted calories and can make the teenager hungrier during mealtime. To fuel growing bodies, teens require consistent nutrient-dense meals and snacks. The key here is to choose healthy snacks for teenagers that will give them a feeling of fullness.
Below are healthy snacks for hungry teens:
- NUT BUTTER AND APPLE SANDWICHES
Apple and nut butter is a delicious combo and is the best snacks for teens. Have its spread their favorite nut butter between sliced apple rounds for a protein-rich snack. You may roll the edges in chia seeds, or chopped nuts to have some extra crunch.
- Cashew, almond, cherry, and dark chocolate trail mix
It is an easy and healthiest snack. It is a good snack for teens and they may mix crunchy almonds, creamy cashews, and dried cherries with dark chocolate chips for a perfect combination.
These ingredients are an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that are required by teenagers for their optimal health.
- Apple and almond butter overnight oats
To consume oats right away, these are prepared ahead of time. By using small 4-ounce Mason Jars, you may make snack-sized portions. This is an easy to prepare a healthy snack for teenager’s recipes and is a mixture of ingredients such as oats, almond butter, yogurt, and apples.
- Chocolate energy bites
Chocolates are amongst favourite snacks of teenagers. Unlike the chocolate treats, chocolate no-bake energy-bites are loaded with healthy ingredients such as dates, cashews, oats, and almond flour to keep the teenagers energised between their meals.
- Jelly chia pudding with Peanut Butter
Chia seeds are abundant in nutrients that are needed by teenagers and include magnesium, calcium, manganese, protein, phosphorous, and healthy fats.
Jelly Chia Pudding and peanut butter combine antioxidant enriched blueberries with peanut butter and coconut milk so it is safe for teens who need to avoid dairy products.
- Egg muffins
For getting ready the snacks ahead, egg muffins are the smartest choice as healthy snacks for teenagers. You may store the protein-packed muffins in the freezer or a fridge and your teen may reheat them whenever required.
- Chicken salad with apple, cranberry, and walnuts
The chicken salad combines the protein-loaded chicken with dried cranberries, apples, and walnuts for a sweet and savory snack. It looks great when served on apple rounds with celery sticks or crackers.
• Cheese sticks
In their daily diet, teenagers need healthy fat sources. Meanwhile providing protein, calcium, and healthy fats, whole milk cheese also give crucial minerals like selenium and zinc that supports overall immune health.
• Healthy chips
Most of the chips are only scrumptious and don’t provide good source of nutrition for teens. Yet the flavourful chips are packed with colourful vegetables and boast that they provide more fiber than traditional chips.
Which Foods are the best?
The best snack is the combination of carbohydrates, low-fat protein, and low-fat dairy.
Low-fat Dairy Products:
It includes yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and low-fat milk.
Low-fat Proteins:
It includes turkey, lean chicken, or fish.
Complex Carbohydrates:
This includes vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, hummus, legumes, etc.
Weight Management with Comfort Eating
The relationship between teenager and their food habits is really a crucial one. The best method to be emphasized on teenagers to have a healthy relationship with food is to eat them with as much as possible and make them learn simple nutritional knowledge along with cooking skills.
If you are really concerned about the weight of your child and without upsetting them, you want to support them, consider the following:
• Being hydrated is very significant so get them to drink plenty of water in a day
• Teach them some quick dishes that they may make for themselves.
• Encourage them to eat only at mealtimes. Try vegetables, fruits, and yogurt, unsalted nuts, etc if they want a snack.
• Encourage them to create balanced meals and snacks that involve plenty of salad and vegetables, lean protein like fish, and chicken and starchy carbs like oats, rice, potatoes, and grains.
• Keep it to three meals every day and fruits or veg-based snacks. Insist them to consume a healthy breakfast even if it’s yogurt, banana, or smoothed. This will enhance their mood and energy and make them less inclined towards snacks.
• Try not to ban certain foods for them, just encourage them to try in moderation. Don’t enforce teenagers the viewpoint that a specific food is “good” or “bad”.
A healthy balanced diet is very crucial for the rapid growth and development of a teenager. Healthy and active young people may have bigger appetites. If you are a parent of a teenager, you must ensure that your child is eating a well-balanced meal rather than snacks that are high in sugar, salt, or fats.
