Kids like to eat finger foods because they are easy to handle, have different shapes, colors, and sizes, and are fun to pick up and explore. They can be dipped in a sauce, offer new tastes, and enable children to learn about new choices.
Choose snack foods that are lower in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat and added sugars. Make use of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. Offer a selection of sauces and dips for children to choose. Use items from the following food groups when planning snacks:
Meat or Meat Alternates
Low-fat/fat-free Cheese cubes/sticks Peanut butter
Almond butter Turkey rollups
Low-fat/fat-free Yogurt
Vegetables (light steaming or cooking may increase acceptability of some of the following)
Asparagus spears Mushrooms
Carrot coins Snow peas
Carrot sticks Peas
Cauliflower Yellow squash slices
Celery sticks Radishes
Cucumber Cherry tomatoes
Broccoli Sweet potato cubes
Cabbage wedges Tomato wedges
Corn Turnip sticks
Green pepper sticks Zucchini sticks
Snap peas
Fruits
Fresh fruit wedges Kiwi slices
such as peach, Nectarines
watermelon, plum, Papaya
pineapple, and cantaloupe Banana slices
Pitted prunes Grape halves
Berries (in season) Honeydew cubes
such as blueberries, Tangelos
raspberries, and Tangerine sections
strawberries Melon balls
Cherries, pitted Mango slices
Dried fruits (such as apricots, cherries,
cranberries, prunes, and raisins)
100% Full-Strength Juices
Apple Pineapple
Grape Prune
Grapefruit Tangerine
Grapefruit-orange Tomato
Orange Vegetable
Any blend or combination of 100% juice is acceptable.
Note: Juice drinks with at least 50-percent-strength juice are permitted but discouraged because double the volume is needed to meet Program requirements.
Grains and Breads (Whole-grain or enriched)
Pita bread triangles English muffin cubes
Crackers Cheese or French toast strips
(all varieties) Croutons
Graham crackers Oyster crackers
Bread cubes Pizza sticks
Bagel bites Waffle squares
Cereals, dry (any variety) Tortilla pieces
Low-fat Granola Wafers
Whole-grain cereals Rice cakes
Baked tortilla chips Popcorn (air-popped)
Dips and Sauces
Low-fat/fat-free Yogurt dip Fruit-based dip
Salsa and refried bean dip Low-fat/fat-free Cheese, melted
Sweet and sour sauce Cucumber sauce
Barbecue sauce Hummus
Caution: Children under 4 years old are at the highest risk of choking on food and remain at high risk until they can chew better. Items such as whole grapes, hot dogs, and hard raw vegetables should be sliced or diced for children to swallow more easily.