5 Heart-Healthy Snacks for Picky Eaters

Ensuring picky eaters receive heart-healthy snacks can be challenging, but with a bit of creativity and knowledge, it's possible to provide nutritious options they'll enjoy. Here are six delicious and heart-smart snack ideas that are perfect for picky eaters:

Yogurt Parfait

Layer low-fat yogurt with fresh berries for a delicious and heart-healthy snack rich in probiotics, fiber, and antioxidants. Probiotics from yogurt support gut health, while berries provide essential vitamins and minerals for cardiovascular wellness.

Veggie Sticks with Hummus

Serve up a colorful assortment of veggie sticks, such as carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber, paired with creamy hummus for a satisfying and nutrient-packed snack. The fiber and antioxidants in vegetables, combined with the heart-healthy fats in hummus, make this snack a winner for both taste and nutrition.

Apple Slices with Nut Butter

Slice up crisp apple wedges and dip them in your kid’s favorite nut butter for a satisfying blend of sweetness and creaminess. Nut butter provides healthy fats and protein, while apples offer fiber and heart-protective antioxidants.

Smoothie Popsicles

Blend together frozen fruits, yogurt, and a splash of 100% fruit juice to create nutritious smoothie popsicles that are perfect for hot days. These icy treats provide a refreshing dose of vitamins, minerals, and hydration, without added sugars or artificial ingredients.

Begin Health Expert Tip

For an additional fiber boost, try adding a serving of Daily Growing Up Prebiotics to your popsicle mixes before freezing. One serving provides 3g of fiber from chicory root to support a healthier digestion and immunity. 

Pistachios and Pears 

Combine slices of fresh pear with shelled pistachios for a nutritious and delicious snack. Pistachios are packed with plant fiber and healthy fats to support heart health while pears contain sorbitol, a sugar that contains natural laxative properties to help with regularity. 

Summary

Offering heart-healthy snacks for picky eaters doesn't have to be complicated. By incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like yogurt, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds into delicious and appealing snacks, parents can help support their kid’s cardiovascular wellness while satisfying their picky palates.

References

• Holscher HD. Dietary fiber and prebiotics and the gastrointestinal microbiota. Gut Microbes. 2017;8(2):172-184.
• Kris-Etherton PM, Hecker KD, Bonanome A, et al. Bioactive compounds in foods: their role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The American Journal of Medicine. 2002;113 Suppl 9B:71S-88S.
• McRae MP. Health benefits of dietary whole grains: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2017;16(1):10-18.
• Malik AH, Akram Y, Shetty S, Malik SS, Yanchou Njike V. Impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on blood pressure. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2014;113(9):1574-1580.

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