So you might be thinking after all my talk about nutrition that my poor kids have a deprived diet and that you feel pretty bad for them.  Don’t they ever get snacks?  Well, yes.  But not much.  Yep, they’re deprived.  But don’t tell them, because they don’t think so. 🙂

I make treats for the Shabbos meals, but during the week they mostly stick to three meals a day.  I try to make nourishing meals and make sure that the quantities are sufficient for them to really be full when they are finished.   I want my kids to recognize when they are hungry and not constantly graze.  Too often, we eat because we are bored or out of emotion, and that’s a damaging habit that kids can too easily get into.  I can’t ensure that they won’t become emotional eaters when they are older, but I don’t have to set them up for it from a young age.

I differentiate between special desserts I make for our weekend meals and weekday snacks.  Usually if I make a snack, it’s because dinner is delayed and I don’t want them being hungry while they’re waiting for dinner to be ready.  Here are some weekday snacks I periodically make for my kids:

– popcorn (popped in coconut oil or butter)

– celery with peanut butter

-trail mix/nuts

– soft pretzels/breadsticks

– veggie sticks/fruit

What kind of things do I make for Shabbos treats?

– fruit – but usually something different than what I give them for breakfast, like grapes, fresh pineapple, melon – usually cherries wouldn’t be on this list because of the cost but after yesterday’s big bargain, they’re getting cherries with their breakfast until they’re gone!

– dried fruit

– nuts

– home baked goodies – made with nutritious ingredients like coconut oil, honey/sucanat, etc.

– carob chews/ fudge

Last night I made a note to myself to try some new recipes this week for snack/desserts: sprouted grain crackers and sunflower seed brownies; if they turn out well, I’ll add them to my culinary repertoire.  🙂

Avivah