Kitchen Quickies: Hungry Again?

My 2 year old is super active. Take him outside, give him a soccer ball, and he will run forever kicking that ball while screaming "I'm a sockter rockter." He has a never ending motor that just goes, and goes, and goes. So, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he eats like he's never been fed a day in his life...like I hide all of the food and starve him. I often question if I am giving him enough food at meals, but when I sit back and watch him eat, I quickly realize that it's not me...at all...it's him...all him, and he can really eat. He's like a tiny garbage disposal who wastes nothing...ever! While I can hardly believe it when he says, "Mommy, some to eat?", I instantly give him "some to eat." I mean...how can I deny his cute little face with those cheeks?

Because my toddler seemingly has the appetite of a high school athlete (he is definitely preparing me for his teenage years, and the idea of my husband and I getting second jobs to accommodate his food intake), I keep healthy snacks on hand. If he is going to eat all the time, he will develop healthy eating habits...damn it!

Here are a few of Nolan Grey's favorite snacks:

1. Trail Mix. We make it together because it's cheaper, and we can put all of the stuff he likes in it. We add things like nuts (cashews, pecans, & pistachios are his favs), dried fruits (cherries, cranberries, blueberries) and whole-grain cereal like Cheerios. Every once in a while, we'll throw in a few M&M's or chocolate chips...you know...because who doesn't like a little chocolate now and then?

2. Yogurt. This is probably Nolan Grey's go to snack. He loves it. It ends up all over his face and often times in his hair, but who cares?! He gets most of it in his mouth, and he gets to work on eating with a spoon! Killing two birds with one stone! Our go to yogurt of choice is Noosa...it's amazingly delicious.

3. A Piece of Fruit. Nolan Grey is a fruit connoisseur. Strawberries, watermelon, apples, honeydew, cantaloupe, oranges, bananas, pineapples, peaches, pears...you name it, he eats it. Not only does fruit taste amazing, it contains fiber, vitamin A, potassium and vitamin C. All good stuff!

4. Cheese. Our go to is Colby Jack cheese sticks. Not only is this wonderful treat providing him with high-quality protein (which is needed for proper growth), it will also help him to feel full between meals...hopefully helping to cut down on my grocery bill.

It's no secret that kids get hungry between meals...so what if my kid is a litter hungrier than most! LOL! Offering kids healthy, whole, unprocessed snacks gives them all of the good things they need to maintain their awesome energy levels and amazing little appetites.

~The Fit Mom