Most kids need three meals and one to two snacks per day. Planning nutritious snacks can help your child meet their nutritional needs, while also protecting their teeth from cavities. Oftentimes parents will ask me about healthy snack ideas for their kids. For your child’s dental and overall health, I recommend pairing a carbohydrate with a protein. Carbohydrates give quick energy and are oftentimes favorite kid snacks. Unfortunately, eating a diet of just simple carbohydrates, like chips, crackers and cookies, encourages cavities. Proteins help you feel full and give longer-lasting energy than carbohydrates. When paired with a carbohydrate, protein is also protective against the cavity-encouraging effects of simple carbohydrates.
Fortunately, the combinations of healthy snacks are endless if you follow the formula of a protein plus carbohydrate. Some protein ideas are meat, cheese, yogurt, milk, nuts and nut butters, or hummus. Carbohydrates are bread or tortillas, crackers, fruit and vegetables, or pretzels, etc.
Tasty Examples of Carbohydrate With a Protein
- Cheese and crackers
- Apples and peanut butter (Dr. Wengler’s favorite!)
- Pretzels dipped in hummus
- Yogurt with blueberries
- Cottage cheese with canned fruit
- Trail mix of Cheerios, raisins, and almonds
- Tortilla with sliced turkey
Schedule Pediatric Dental Appointment
At Pediatric Dentistry of San Antonio, Texas, we believe the key to ensuring your child enjoys not only delicious but also nutritious snacks lies in the simple yet effective pairing of carbohydrates with proteins. This balance not only provides them with the energy they need throughout the day but also offers protection against dental cavities by mitigating the harmful effects of simple carbohydrates.
By incorporating these balanced snacks into your child’s diet, you’re not just satisfying their hunger; you’re also laying the foundation for healthy eating habits that benefit both their dental and overall health. Dr. Derrick Cantu and Dr. Christi Wengler look forward to helping your child develop healthy smiles in San Antonio, Texas. Call 210-680-7841 to schedule your child’s dental visit!