With childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise, many more families are searching for healthy snacks for their kids. Snacks are one way that saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates tend to sneak into kids’ diets. Limiting them is one way to cut down on caring for sick children, or going to the doctor for pediatrics care in time of illness.

Glendale pediatrics doctors and pediatrics care providers nationally recommend keeping these bad health culprits out of children’s diets. One easy and delicious way to do this is to be proactive about snacks. Have some healthy snacks ready when kids come home from school. Healthier diets also mean fewer colds and flus, less caring for sick children and less pediatrics care.

Roasted Chickpeas

These crunchy, salty snacks are full of protein (12 grams per ounce) and super easy to make: drain and rinse a can of chickpeas. Spread them on a baking sheet and sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and Parmesan cheese (optional). Place in a 400 F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Hummus and Veggies

Hummus is a bean dip that is easy to make or buy. Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, jicama, bell pepper, and any other veggie you can think of. Hummus provides lots of protein, which is recommended by Glendale pediatrics doctors, and it’s delicious.

Revisit Breakfast

Granola is very simple and inexpensive to make at home, and is useful when caring for sick children. With a base of rolled oats, you can add nuts, seeds, coconut, and dried fruits of your choice. Sprinkle with oil—olive oil or coconut oil are healthy choices—a touch of salt and a teaspoon of maple syrup, if you like it sweet. Then, bake it in a low oven temperature (200-250), turning every 5 minutes so that it browns. Have this as a snack sprinkled over plain yogurt, or with milk.

Nut Butters and Fruit

As your Glendale pediatrics doctor will tell you, snacks with some protein go much further than those with simple carbohydrates or sugars. Protein-packed snacks keep your kids going until dinner, and ultimately they’ll feel fuller and consume fewer calories. Spread almond or peanut butter on celery sticks, apple wedges, or banana slices. Add raisins, dried blueberries, or dried cranberries for fun and a touch of sweetness.

Healthful ways of eating are the basis of successful pediatrics care. Eat healthy food and cut down on caring for sick children and sick days.