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Importance of a Snack Routine

Establish a routine around snack times, not rigid timing but regularity so children know when to expect snacks.
Snacks should ideally be eaten at a designated place, preferably the family dining table or a toddler-sized table to reinforce mealtime habits.
Snack portions should be about one-third the size of a regular meal.
Instead of offering multiple food groups at snack, focus on two complementary items, such as a protein (cheese, nut butter) paired with a fruit or vegetable (apple slices, carrots).
Typical toddler serving sizes for snacks are approximately 1-2 tablespoons per food group, corresponding to about one-quarter to one-half of an adult portion.
Example snacks: cheese and crackers, cheese with fruit, veggies with hummus, snacks that children enjoy and perceive as treats but are nutritious.
Keeping snacks balanced and appropriately portioned supports healthy eating habits and prevents overfeeding or underfeeding.

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