If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’m a big proponent of snack time. Regularly scheduled snacks helps my family avoid toddler hanger and the subsequent meltdowns. It also helps me, as a mom, to follow The Division of Responsibility in Feeding easier. Because my almost-four year old knows a snack is coming mid-morning, she can easily eat less at breakfast if she’s not feeling hungry. When kids have regularly scheduled meals and snacks, they are less likely to eat past fullness. They have reassurance that more food is coming and available to them. They feel secure. I, as a parent, can know that she will have plenty of opportunities to eat during the day, even if her breakfast is light.

Sometimes I run into a snack rut, where we’re eating the same thing over and over. Including variety in snack times is a great, low-pressure way to improve a kid’s flexibility in eating. Snacks are physically smaller than most meals, and this can be a less intimidating way to serve a new food or a not-favorite food. I like to use snack time to incorporate foods we are all practicing liking, paired with old favorites. You’ll see a lot of cheese and sunflower seeds. Those are my preschoolers comfort snack foods at the moment. I love that they are a great source of protein and fat to keep her satisfied until lunch time. If you are serving new foods, try and have an old favorite on the same plate.

These are the snack trios we are into lately:

Cheese + Fresh Fruit + Gluten Free Pretzels

Plain Whole Milk Yogurt + Thawed, Frozen Strawberries + Dry Cereal

Toast + Smashed Avocado + Sunflower Seeds

Popcorn + Shredded Cheese + Fresh Fruit

Boiled Egg + Fruit + Cheese

Hummus + Dipping Veggies + Crackers

Lunch meat + Pepitas + Baby Pickles

Hope these easy snack trio ideas help with your toddler hanger! One reason I think so much about snack time, is that I always eat the same snack as my kiddos and husband. When we’re all eating the same thing, it makes the kiddos more likely to try it. I like having a well balanced, yummy snack, so I try and create the same experience for my preschooler and baby.