The health of our children is the top priority of most parents out there, and this doesn’t end when they are out of diapers. It is likely that moms will continue to care about their child’s health when they are all grown into teenagers and beyond.
While teenagers are more independent and are starting to make most of the decisions for themselves, moms may still be concerned with their eating choices. This is especially true if they are still picky eaters. Moms may be concerned that they are filling their bodies with unhealthy choices, and this can have some consequences for their health.
She may be searching for some healthy snacks that her teens will approve of, and this may mean playing to their likes. Take what they already do like, and just tweak it to make it a bit healthier. While this may seem challenging, we have 10 examples to inspire moms.
10 Mini Muffins
If your teen loves baked goods, you can make up a batch of mini muffins, and sneak in some healthy ingredients. According to Your Kids Table, this can be one of the best snacks, because you can make a big batch and then freeze the rest. You can add in their favorite ingredients, but sneak in some sweet potatoes, zucchini, and even pumpkin.
9 Popcorn
Popcorn sounds like junk food, but it can also be a healthy snack. To make sure it is a healthy snack, you will want to pop your own, so maybe now is the time you can invest in a popcorn maker, and your teens can have fun making their own, and playing around with different seasonings.
8 Snap Pea Crisps
A great way to give more vegetables is to present them in a way that is appealing to a teenager who likes chips and other crispy things. Snap pea crisps are great because they have a good flavor, and are crunchy. They are available at most grocery stores and come in a variety of flavors.
7 Yogurt Popsicles
This is a great snack for a hot day, and it is close enough to ice cream that it may pass the picky test. All you need to do is freeze some yogurt in popsicle molds, and to make it even better, you can add some frozen fruit to the bottom. Your teens can make their own, and customize them however they want.
6 Trail Mix
Trail mix is a great choice because again, it is something that teenagers can make themselves. They can decide what goes in it. Now, you want to make sure that it is not just all candy and sugary items, so mom can pre-pick out some options that her teen can choose from. There can be some sweet treats in there, but also nuts, granola, dried cereal, and anything else.
5 Apple & Peanut Butter
This is a great snack for a teenager who needs some more protein. According to Healthline, apples and peanut butter go great together, and peanut butter is a great source of protein. Apples are incredibly healthy, and they are both pretty “safe” foods for a picky eater.
4 Homemade Granola Bars
Granola bars are very healthy, and they can be filling, so it is a great snack for teenagers who always seem to be hungry. There are a ton of recipes online, but you want to look for one that has oats, dates, cashews, and even some chocolate. It will taste sweet, but keep them full for hours. This is another item that they can help make themselves, and they can add what they want.
3 Fruit Leathers
Fruit is often considered a safe food for picky eaters, and that is because they are naturally sweet and enticing. According to Momables, there are tons of recipes online for fruit leathers, which are like fruit roll-ups, but much healthier. The great thing is that teens can pick the fruits that they like, making it more likely they will eat them.
2 Have Fun With Puff Pastry
Puff pastry is a great item for picky eaters, and it is incredibly versatile. Mom can make them sweet or savory, depending on what her child feels like, and what they like. Cheese is a popular filling, and most picky eaters do like cheese. Get creative with dipping sauces, and the whole family will likely enjoy these.
1 Snack Bread
Bread is a great item, because it is universal, and it can be made in so many ways. If mom wants to make sure her teenager has some sweet bread that they can eat. There are many recipes out there for sweet bread, and they range from banana-based breads to pumpkin and zucchini recipes. You can even add some chocolate or nuts to make it a bit more inviting.
Sources: Your Kids Table, Healthline, Momables