I allow my children to have two snacks per day in addition to their three square meals. When choosing which snacks to offer my children, I consider several factors. The snack should have some health benefits, but be something my kids will want to eat. I have compiled a list of what I consider to be the best snacks to offer your children.

1. Mozzarella cheese and olives. I slice a mozzarella cheese stick into three sections so that it looks like a snowman. Then I allow my kids to cut a few olives up to decorate the snowman with. Afterward, the kids can gobble the snack up.

2. Bananas and raisins. Since ½ of a banana is considered one serving, I cut slices out of each half and place them on two separate plates. Then I give my children raisins to make faces on the banana slices. Of course, they are quickly consumed after that.

3. Frozen yogurt with a fruit surprise. This snack is especially desirable during the summer months. I place 3 ounces of yogurt in a plastic cup. Then I sprinkle some pieces of fruit over the yogurt. Finally, I add another 3 ounces of yogurt so the kids can’t see which pieces of fruit I used. They love discovering what is inside. Some great fruit to use are blueberries, strawberry slices, raspberries, or cherries.

4. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Each fall the girls and I save the seeds from the pumpkins we carve. We drizzle a little bit of olive oil over them, and sprinkle on a small amount of salt. Then the seeds are baked in the oven. Once they cool, we place them into snack size baggies. We toss some sunflower seeds among the pumpkin seeds and eat away.

5. Granola and milk. A glass of organic milk provides essential vitamins and minerals for my kids to grow up strong. Along with the glass of milk, I offer the kids a granola bar. I don’t buy the ones covered in chocolate. The organic granola bars are just as flavorful, and I have no trouble getting my kids to eat them as a snack.