Smart Tooth-Friendly Snacks Kids Will Love

Now that school is back in session, moms and dads everywhere are packing lunch boxes for their kids. When thinking about snacks and lunches to put in that brown paper bag, think about packing items that are not only going to be nutritious, but also good for your teeth. An important part of taking care of kids’ oral health is making sure they eat nutritious foods that help to strengthen teeth and avoid foods that harm tooth enamel. Providing healthy snacks, as your dentist recommends, is not difficult, but it does require some forethought to ensure that you have the right ingredients on hand. Here are a few examples of tooth-friendly snack choices.

Peanut Butter Apples

For an easy and healthy snack, slice an apple and add a dab of peanut butter for a delicious combination of flavors. Again, many brands of peanut butter have added sugar that can hurt tooth enamel. Read the labels and only choose brands that contain peanuts and oil to avoid the extra sugar.
 

Yogurt with Fresh Fruit

Low-fat yogurt can be a healthy way to provide calcium for teeth, but read the ingredient lists on the packages and you will find that many yogurts contain added sugar that is unhealthy for children’s teeth. Instead, buy plain yogurt and add your own cut-up strawberries, peaches or blueberries for a bit of natural sweetness.

Hummus on Pita Triangles

Cut pita wraps into bite-sized triangles and dab on a bit of hummus for a healthy, non-sugary snack that adds nutrition without empty calories.

Plain Popcorn

Plain popcorn provides the “crunch” that kids love for snacking, but has no additional oils or sugar. You should avoid microwave popcorn, though, as it contains chemicals that, when heated, can lead to lung disease. A hot-air popcorn machine is a better choice.

Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds

Shelled pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds make a convenient and healthy snack that contains no sugar that can injure children’s teeth. Choose the unsalted or low-salt varieties to avoid too much sodium.

Low-Fat Cheese Bites

Cheese is an excellent snack food, as it provides calcium to build strong bones and teeth. Low-fat varieties are the healthiest choice. Cut an assortment of cheeses into bite-sized bits for easy snacking while doing homework or watching TV.

Talk to the dentists at Kingsland Dental Group for other ideas on tooth-friendly snack choices that promote oral health.