It’s important for growing children to have access to quality food that’s nutritious because this can affect their health over time. That said, you probably have a number of expenses and don’t necessarily want to spend a lot on food. If you’d like to find some snacks and meals that are both ideal for a preschooler and that are also budget-friendly, have a look at the ones suggested below.
Yogurt
With a host of natural fruit and flavor options to choose from, you may be spoiled for choice at the grocery store. In this case, remember that you can simply buy plain yogurt and give it an upgrade at home with fruit or whatever other healthy addition your child would like. This is one of the easiest snacks to consume, and it also does wonders for the gut, ensuring that good bacteria thrive. Note that among the three- to five-year-olds enrolled in preschool programs in 2015, 51% of them attended full-day programs. If yours is one of these, then you can benefit from providing them with a healthy snack like yogurt to get them proper nutrition during their school day.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Another budget-friendly yet amazing food item is hard-boiled eggs. These are packed with nutrients, are easy to prepare, and can be combined with a number of other ingredients to either become a more filling snack or a full meal. There are a number of recipes that you can find online that will help you make good use of hard-boiled eggs. The best thing is that you can add just one or two and end up with a fun, healthy snack, so a little goes a long way.
For people leading busy lives and who want to make sure their preschoolers stay healthy, this is a must-have food item in the pantry. About 6.7 million children are cared for by a nonrelative on a regular basis. This includes 4.8 million children who go to an organized preschool or daycare facility, according to data from the Census Bureau. All children need to be fed healthy meals, and this is something to think about whether you’re talking about your children or someone else’s children under your care.
Smoothies
Yet another healthy food option that won’t have to break the bank but that will provide ample nutrients for your preschooler is smoothies. There are literally endless combinations that you can make, with a good number available online. These can be a fun snack when you think about the variety you can get in terms of color and other details. They’re extremely easy to whip up and will also go down easily for your kids.
You want to make sure that you provide your preschooler with healthy meals and snacks so that they develop as they should. This is important when you consider the fact that approximately 33% of children getting into kindergarten are 1.5 years behind their peers. Regardless of this, children enrolled in high-quality programs for preschool and daycare, such as those offered by The Amazing Explorers Academy, start kindergarten more competent, both emotionally and socially.
Chicken
The final suggestion for nutritious and budget-friendly meals is chicken and pasta. This is a full meal in itself, and it can be made healthier by choosing a healthy way to prepare it, such as baking. You can also add some fresh fruit and vegetables to the side to make it more fulfilling. Chicken and pasta meals are typically fun meals that are easy to prepare and that are loved by a majority of children. This makes them an amazing option for parents and caregivers for whom time is not on their side.
These suggestions should give you some ideas about what to feed your preschoolers. They’re healthy and generally easy to prepare, leaving you with more time to deal with other issues. You’ll have the peace of mind to do this knowing your children are well-fed. Try these cost-friendly options today!
