Adults and children can often share the same basic snack foods, while portions, textures and preparation need to match age, appetite and saf...
Snacks can make up a meaningful part of the day’s food intake. In USDA survey data from U.S. adults, snack consumers obtained an average of about 24% of daily energy intake from snacks.[1]
There is no single formula for a healthy snack. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy foods and protein foods can all be useful building blocks. Children can often eat the same basic foods as adults, but portions, shapes and textures must match their developmental skills, choking risk and allergy needs.[3] [5] [6]
TL;DR: Choose a snack according to hunger and the time until the next meal. Fruit or yogurt may be enough for light hunger; pairing foods such as fruit with yogurt, vegetables with hummus or whole-grain crackers with cheese can make a snack more substantial. For babies and young children, safety comes first: modify round, hard, sticky and tough foods, avoid whole nuts and popcorn, spread nut or seed butter thinly, and never give honey before 12 months.
Young-child safety: Choking risk depends on developmental skills as well as age. CDC advises preparing foods in safe shapes, sizes and textures and supervising young children while they eat.[5]
