Pre Teens Diet

Hi. My son is 9, almost 10 and one of his favorite things to take to school is "homemade trail mix." I buy a large can of cashews (usually from walmart), dried cranberries (he doesn't like raisins), cheerios, mini marshmallows (sometimes), and another kind on nut. Then I mix it all and put it in an airtight container and when he wants some he scoops out 1/2 cup into a baggie and off to school he goes. He would rather have one of my concoctions than something "store bought!" The possibilities of combinations are endless and if they help make it it is fun too. The 1/2 cup measure also helps him learn portion control.

Don't pack up the empty calories of over packaged processed food for snacktime. These are not good for your daughter or the environment. Fruit is a good choice. Clementines, apples, and bananas all travel well. Involve your daughter by asking her to prepare a snack the night before. If she's creative she might enjoy making celery and peanut butter with raisins or preparing a dip with yogurt and dried herbs for baby carrots. Whole grain crackers with a real cheese might appeal to her. If she really wants something sweet, how about having her make her own trail mix in large quantity. She can then measure and package it up in snack size containers or bags. A small amount of chocolate chips or m&m's go a long way when you are making trail mix. Fill in the mix with raisins, craisins, other dried fruit, a few nuts, and wholesome whole grain cereal.

Hi! We do popcorn alot.You can pop your own to make it more affordable and put it in seperate snack bags.Jello and jello pudding is good.We do 100 calorie packs.(sometimes on sale)Of course bananas are inexpensive and good if he likes those.Sometimes cheese and crackers.My son also likes cheese sticks.Hope this helps a little.T.

Hi K.,
I pack my daughter who is 12 and a junk food junkie,Those 100 calorie snack bags (oreo,chips ahoy,fudge stripe)They are great potion control and help the sweet tooth.

R.

Hi K. - I have a basked in the kitchen with all the snacks in it that my daughter is allowed to take... Most is pretty healthy, plus there are some things in there like fruit rolls ups and rice krispies squares too.

If she takes only the sweet stuff first, she has the raisens, almonds, goldfish, peanut butter (with stuff from the fridge -celery, apples, cheese sticks, etc.)

It is just another opportunity to teach actions and consquence in a subtle way. And - it helps her learn good eating habits.

Good luck!

Hi K.,

My girls like crackers with cream cheese, 1/2 a turkey sandwich, "smart food" popcorn, grapes, apples, oranges, celery sticks and carrot sticks with lowfat ranch dressing for dipping, fruit with cottage cheese, yogurt etc. Best wishes.

J. L.