Great Snack Substitutions to Combat Children’s Cavities
As we leave the cold winter months and enter the warm spring and summer months, you likely plan on taking your family outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful nature in the area you call home. Before going out, all parents know that snacks are essential for an outing, and when you browse your pantry, you might notice that the majority of meals are loaded full of carbs and sugar. After a visit with your dentist, you might be reminded of how these snacks can be damaging to your children’s oral health. Perhaps the year before your family needed more cleanings and fillings than you expected. Now, you might be wondering how you can replace these cavity-causing foods with nutritious substitutes to aid in healthier gums and teeth. We got you covered!
In this article, we will discuss some fantastic snack substitutions to help combat children’s activities.
The Problem With Sugar
Food products that have a high sugar content are far more easily accessible on shelves at the grocery store. They are more appealing because they are marketed as family-friendly, they taste great, and they provide additional convenience through individual packaging for easy-to-go packing. Snacks like fruit gummies, cookies, chips, and pastries present themselves as easy solutions to the hectic schedules that overtake daily lives. However, this convenience won’t come without a cost. Not only are children’s teeth more exposed to sugar and bacteria, but the cavity-causing snacks lack nutritional properties. Young, developing children require a diet that is balanced to help support healthy growth.
Here are a few categories of healthy substitutions that can aid in your child’s nutritional needs.
Curb Sugar Cravings
Oftentimes, your child might come home tired and hungry after a long day at school, wanting something sweet to snack on before dinnertime and homework. Rather than providing the iconic milk and cookies snack option, try these other healthy alternatives instead to appease your child’s sweet tooth in a healthier direction.
- Apple Sauce
- Sliced Watermelon or Pineapple
- Mixed Berries
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Yogurt
Sometimes, natural sugars aren’t always the right answer. Rather than fueling a sweet tooth, you can opt to redirect with more flavorful substitutes.
- Mixed Nuts
- Pickles
- Kale Chips
- String Cheese
It is Important to Meet Your Child’s Protein & Calorie Needs
Growing children require a substantial protein and calorie intake every day. Children can easily crave calorie-dense foods that can harm their oral health. However, there are healthier alternative ways to meet these needs. Consider the following fast meal options that will help provide them with the protein and calories that they need for a long day at school or on the playground.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Turkey Avocado Roll-Ups
- Carrots, Pita Bread, Bell Pepper, and Hummus Dip
- Vegetable and Meat Stir-Fry
It can be a challenge to stay on top of your child’s oral health needs while trying to meet the demands of a busy schedule. With these simpler snack choices presented to you, you can rest assured that your child will receive the nutrients they need to support a healthy, white smile!
Bottom Line
A healthy, happy smile is directly correlated with a healthy diet, and this could not be more true for a child and their ever-growing needs. Children who have a well-rounded diet that is balanced well by sweets and more nutrition-based foods have better oral health than those who don’t get the protein and nutrition needed daily. If you have questions about what snacks you can supply your child with, reach out to your local Montana pediatric dentist team. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, the expert children’s dentist in the Western Montana area, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana. Call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more.