Keep your baby’s good nutrition even while your away. Always keep healthy baby snacks on the go to keep babies and toddlers growing strong.
Food is a necessity in all of our lives, more so with babies. It provides nutrients that help sustain the growth and function of developing body systems such as the muscle groups, the skeletal system, and more. Food is also vital materials for the growth and repair of the body.
Once a baby reached 4 to 6 months old, they will begin starting on solid foods. As busy parents, sometimes, we do not have the time to whip up a cooked snack for our baby.
Babies this age are often always hungry and snacky so having snacks on hand is an essential survival hack. Not only that it can help pacify your hungry baby while away from home, but healthy snacking is also a vital part of a kid’s growth.
Eating healthy snacks will ensure that your baby is consuming a highly varied diet. The more opportunities they try different healthy foods, the more likely he will develop a taste for a varied and healthy diet.
Sufficient amounts of protein, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and other vitamins and minerals in their diet will fuel the rapid development occurring in the first two years of life a child’s life.
Since babies have small stomachs, they can fill up quickly. They need to eat multiple times a day to ingest enough of the energy needed to support their growth and development. The average baby increases his body weight by 200% in the first 12 months and quadruples it in the first 24 months!
Nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats all work together to give your child the energy they require. Here are the best on-the-go snacks that can provide plenty of nutrients to your baby.
1. Apples and pears
Apples and pears are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants which are essential building blocks in the digestive and immune system. It is best to slice these apples into slices so babies can grab them better, rather than the whole fruit.
You can also give your baby unsweetened applesauce to get nutrients from apples in a more digestible way.
2. String cheese
String cheese is a simple snack that is a great source of protein and calcium, which is essential for your child’s growth. Protein and calcium serve as the building blocks of the body and helps body tissues, muscles, and bones grow.
3. Hummus
Hummus is a great source of plant-based protein that can be easily digested by babies. It is very versatile in terms of how babies can eat it. It can be eaten by itself, as a dip for carrot sticks, or as a spread for whole-wheat graham crackers.
4. To-go food pouch
Baby food pouches are a convenient, child-friendly way to feed your baby fruit or vegetable purees. There are plenty of varieties available in the market and you can choose which your baby preferred the most to avoid any wastes.
It is very portable and comes with its own container. Just grab a pouch and throw it in the diaper bag and you’re good to go.
5. Nut butter
When choosing the most appropriate for a baby’s nutrient needs, choose low-sugar almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter to reap the benefits of healthy fats.
Fat is a significant nutrient during the first two years of the life of a baby. In fact, 50% of your baby’s calories should be coming from a fat source because it aids their developing and growing brain more quickly.
6. Full-fat plain yogurt
Plain yogurts are rich in healthy carbs, calcium, protein, and healthy fats, yogurt can help the baby’s body absorb crucial vitamins and nutrients that are key in building their central nervous systems.
7. Whole-grain graham crackers
Ideal for nut- or dairy-free kids, graham crackers is an excellent alternative to more sugary cookies. They may be bland but dipping these crackers in hummus or nut butter will make a perfect, tasty combo.
8. Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are best suited for a trip to the park or somewhere outdoors. These snacks deliver lots of protein and can also be paired with hummus for a powerful protein pair.
9. Low sugar cereals
Perfect for snacky babies, low sugar cereals are very handy and convenient. Just pop a handful before hedging out with your baby and give him a cereal once in a while as a snack.
10. Turkey
It’s easy to serve meat to babies as long as it’s soft and easy to chew. Aside from protein, turkey is rich in iron that is beneficial in a child’s growth and development and encourages better blood circulation.
