If you’re in a bit of a rut when it comes to adding oral health-friendly snacks to your child’s lunchbox, here are a few options to try.
Crunchy Vegetables
Crunchy vegetables like celery, cucumbers, carrots, green peppers, lettuce and broccoli are one of the very best snack for oral health. The high water content of vegetables not only rehydrates our bodies, but also dilutes natural sugars and washes away food particles while we eat.
One way to liven up fresh, raw veggies for kids who aren’t that into them is to include something to dip them in, like hummus or salsa. But if you want to get a little fancier, try a dill cucumber dip or a slaw salad.
Cheese
Cheese contains significant amounts of phosphorous and calcium, two minerals that play a key role in keeping tooth enamel strong. In addition, though, cheese increases the saliva in the mouth, which acts as a natural defense against cavity- and gum disease-causing bacteria.
Add some cheese, who grain and seed crackers and some fruit to your child’s lunch box for a delicious snack.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a healthy source of protein. They’re high in healthy fats, calcium, vitamin D, fibre and folic acid.Try adding a snack mix of nuts and seeds to your child’s lunch, and experiment with seasonings for a flavour kick. Just stay away from sugars!
Fruit
Fibrous fruits like apples and hard pears act almost like a natural toothbrush when you bite and chew them, as they help scrub plaque from the teeth. Bananas, strawberries and mangoes are a healthy sweet treat that can replace dessert.
To jazz the fruit up a bit, try sending some sugar-free peanut better for dipping apples, or low sugar yogurt dips.