6 Tooth-Friendly Thanksgiving Snacks Your Kids Will Gobble Up

Snack on this!

The holidays are a special time filled with traditions, gatherings, and usually lots of our favorite foods. If you’ve ever overindulged at this time of year, you are not alone.

One way to curb overindulgence is to opt for healthier alternatives to the usual holiday fare but it can be difficult to find healthy Thanksgiving snacks. Many parties are full of sugary temptations, and while it’s okay to treat yourself now and then, sometimes the kids can overdo it with sweet treats. Instead of choosing snacks full of sugars, check out these six tooth-friendly snacks that are kid-tested and recommended by the staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha.

1. Cheese and Fruit Skewers

You can’t go wrong with fruit and cheese as a delicious, healthy snack. And if you put them on a stick, the kids are bound to go crazy for them! Cheese and fruit skewers are a great choice for any child because the skewers can be customized to meet everyone’s taste. Cheese is a great source of calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. Fruit is full of many essential vitamins, so it’s an ideal choice for a snack.

Popular fruits for skewers include melons, pineapple, strawberries, and so much more. If you’re working on a color scheme, choose just red fruits, like watermelon and strawberries. As for the cheese, if it can be cut into cubes, it can be put on a skewer. Many kids like cheddar or mozzarella, but you might find some sophisticated palates that enjoy some brie, which is great when complemented with some pears. To make the skewers more on theme, use cookie cutters to cut the fruit or cheese into holiday shapes.

2. Apple “Donuts”

One popular fall family activity is apple picking, so if you have a bounty of apples and are looking for a new way to snack on them, here is a great surprise treat.

Apple “donuts” are cored apples that are sliced thinly to look like donuts. The thin slices can then be topped with a variety of healthy treats, like yogurt, nut butter, raisins, nuts, granola, and any other item that can be “sprinkled” on the “donuts.” Have your children choose their favorite toppings, and let them decorate their “donuts” with their favorites. This is an easy snack with minimal ingredients that everyone will enjoy.

3. Vegetable Platters

Flex your creative side with a turkey shaped vegetable platter. Take your favorite vegetables, like bell peppers, carrots, celery, broccoli, tomatoes, and more, and arrange them to look like a turkey. Pair the veggies with a low-fat ranch dip, and you’ll have the kids coming back for more until this gobbler is gone.

4. Pumpkin Hummus

Nothing says fall more than pumpkin, but instead of having one of those popular pumpkin spice lattes, make some pumpkin hummus! This snack is easy to make, and it can be paired with a variety of dippers, including whole wheat crackers, carrots, sweet potato fries, and so much more. This recipe is simple, and it can be made in the food processor, which means easy clean up!

5. Cranberry Oat Energy Bites

If you enjoy some fall flavors, these cranberry oat energy bites are full of cranberries, making them healthy and flavorful. There is no sugar added to these bites; maple syrup serves as the sweetener. These tasty, fruity bites are easy to make. You just throw everything in a bowl, mix thoroughly, portion out, and refrigerate for an hour or two to harden. These look like cookie dough balls, so your kids may think they are getting away with something, but you don’t have to feel guilty allowing them to have more than one.

6. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

You can’t have snacks without something to sip on! If you are a fan of pumpkin pie, but don’t want all of the calories and sugar, try a pumpkin pie smoothie. These smoothies feature pumpkin puree, greek yogurt, bananas, and fall spices. All you have to do is blend up these ingredients, and you have a delicious snack that will have you forgetting you skipped dessert!

Gobble, Gobble!

It can be hard to find healthy snacks to eat during the holidays, but the staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha always has suggestions for you. Our office also wants to remind you to keep up with your daily oral health routine during the holidays. If you can’t brush right away after a meal, make sure you rinse your mouth with water after snacks and meals. This helps to wash away some of the bad bacteria that can cause plaque and cavities.

Have a happy holiday, and remember, we’re here when you need to schedule your biannual dental checkup!