Planning snacks

• The key to healthy snacking is providing a balance of food choices that your child can enjoy.
• When planning your after school snacks, begin with the Food Guide Pyramid.
• Adjust serving sizes to match your child: serving sizes for preschoolers are half that of an adult; for toddlers, about one-fourth the adult serving size.
• Read the nutrition facts label on the food packaging to find out just what you're getting. Choose snacks that do no have sugar, salt (sodium) or oils listed as the leading ingredients.
• Have a designated "snack spot" in the refrigerator or cupboard that is stocked with healthier snack options for kids.

What to choose

• Instead of sodas or soft drinks, keep milk, water, and 100 percent fruit juice on hand.
• Fruit and cut-up vegetables make healthful, easy-to-eat snacks.
• Yogurt cups can help increase your child's calcium intake.

What to avoid

• Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, and select fruit juices without added sugar.
• Limit cookies, doughnuts, brownies, and other baked goods.
• Limit chips and other salty, high-fat snacks. Instead, offer baked pretzels, dry cereal, granola, or low-fat cheese.
• Limit caffeine intake.
• Don't be swayed by advertising. Many prepared foods that are marketed as kid-friendly are poor in nutrition. Read nutrition labels to get the facts.

Involve kids in buying and preparing snacks

• Children enjoy choosing foods for themselves. Getting them involved in snack choices makes them part of a healthy eating team.
• Develop a list of possible food choices, and then allow your child to choose from it.
• Let them pick out some of their favorite, healthful foods and snacks at the grocery store.