Sensory savvy snacks help kids do better in school

What kids eat is very important and having the right snack can actually improve a child's ability to learn. Our school occupational therapy consultant, Casey Halper, put together a list of sensory smart snacks.

That means that they are snacks that help kids stay alert and focused in school without making them hyper and restless. These are great snack ideas for children in school, but would be equally great snack choices for toddlers too.

Some of the themes for healthy sensory snacks are:

• Crunchy and chewy foods help make kids more alert by engaging their senses.
• Sipping or sucking can help organize and calm children.
• And of course fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and calcium rich foods make them healthy overall.

Try These Sensory Smart Snacks:

• Carrot Sticks
• Celery Sticks
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Apples
• Pears
• Dried Fruit (cherries, apricots, mangos)
• Orange Wedges
• Whole wheat pretzels
• Rice Cakes
• Raisins
• Granola Bars
• Graham Crackers
• Fruit Leather
• Low Fat Yogurt with straw
• Apple Sauce with straw
• Chunks of cheese
• Chesse Sticks
• Whole grain cereal
• Whole Grain Cracker (triscuits)
• Cereal Bar
• Popcorn
• Chewy whole grain mini bagels
• 7 grain chips
• baked pita chips
• bagel chips

Maybe you can get your class or school to institute a healthy sensory snack plan. For more healthy snack ideas check out the book Healthy Snacks for Healthy Kids by B.J. Witz.

If you would like to contact Casey Halper, you can reach her at caseyotr@gmail.com or 917-414-0289.

Read more articles like this on Mommy Poppins Eating.