KEEPING KIDS OCCUPIED AND FED WHEN STUCK AT HOME

This week’s blog is written by our Lead Dietitian, Michelle Tegenkamp.

As we enter week 2 of the current COVID-19 crisis, the struggle with homeschooling young ones seems to involve being hungry all the time.  It feels like all I hear is…

Can I have a snack?

Can I have a snack??

Can I have a snack???

For all of us, kids and adults alike, it is important to make sure we’re eating out of hunger and not boredom.

Try to stick to your normal routine of meals and snacks, for both yourself and your kids. Keep in mind we’re more likely to eat something when it’s easy and available, which can make it easy to just reach for something in the pantry for snack time. Make it just as easy to reach for fresh fruits and vegetables at snack time too – the grapes on a bowl on the table are more likely to get eaten than when they are sitting in the fridge. Think about slicing up some vegetables to put out with hummus or slicing up some apples and bananas with nut butter for an easy bite size snack. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just available and visible. 

You can also use this time to some try making some healthy homemade snacks with your kids. Although it often takes longer (and is a little messier), kids love to help measure, pour and mix and are often more willing to try something they have had a hand in making.

Last week we made some whole wheat pumpkin muffins from the Cookie + Kate website (https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-maple-pumpkin-muffins/). A tip when it comes to baking is to double all your ingredients and freeze an extra batch for your kids to “bake” later without another mess to clean up!   

Another easy and versatile snack to try with your kids: homemade energy balls. These are great because they are no bake and you can use a variety to ingredients to make different varieties and use what you have available. As a base you’ll need oats, some nut or seed butter, a sticky liquid to hold them together (think honey, pure maple syrup, or dates) and a variety of fun mix ins: ground flaxseed, chia seeds, chopped nuts, dried fruit and maybe even a few chocolate chips. 

What are your go to favorites to make with kids?