Dentist recommended tooth-friendly snacks for children

Kids Eating

Kids love to snack. Their vibrant lifestyle and small stomachs often cause them to rummage through the refrigerator or the kitchen cabinets for a treat. According to nutritionists, kids need to eat every three to four hours to meet their nutritional needs. The case today is that most kids dive into cookies, candy, and soda to satisfy their hunger. These foods are high in added sugars that can cause dental issues.

Snacks to Stock

Here’s an expert recommended list of kid-friendly and tooth-friendly snacks:

  • Fresh fruits that are high in fibre like apples, oranges, etc.
  • Vegetable salads with light dressings
  • Raw vegetables or whole-grain bread sticks with hummus or other dips
  • Whole-grain sandwiches with savoury fillings
  • Yogurt, milk, and cheese

Snacks to Trash

Protect your child from dental illnesses and other chronic disorders by avoiding the following list of snacks:

  • Cereals high in added sugars
  • Marshmallow
  • Candy bars, chocolate, caramel toffees, etc.
  • Doughnuts, cakes, tarts, pies, and other sweet pastries
  • Fruit Roll-ups
  • Cookies
  • Soft drinks

The Role of Calcium and Vitamin D

Dairy products are a great source of calcium and can help build strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium from your diet. Stock your refrigerator with fortified milk and dairy products. You can also include eggs, salmon, sardines, and mackerel in your child’s diet to get the most of Vitamin D.

Give your child enough time to play in the sun every day to boost Vitamin D absorption in the body.

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance

Parents, with a lactose-intolerant child, often find the child complaining of toothaches or muscle aches. This is because their diet does not include enough calcium.

Here are some lactose-free, calcium-rich snacks that you can pack in their lunch boxes:

  • Tofu
  • Kefir
  • Yogurt
  • Some varieties of cheese like cheddar, Gouda, Swiss & Edam
  • Canned sardines
  • Salmon (with bones)
  • Lactose-free milk
  • Soy milk fortified with calcium

The Right Kind of Candy

You can hardly ever keep children away from candy. So, stock your refrigerator with the safe choices.

Treat your kid to a small piece of dark chocolate or Xylitol candies that are made with sugar substitutes. These can help you keep your child happy, satisfied, and healthy.