Study shows kids choose junk food snacks

A new study conducted by the University of Cincinnati helps us understand what influences a child's snack choices.

A 167 fourth and fifth graders food choices were studied for a 24 hour period.

• snacking represented a large number of the children's daily calories
• about 300 calories of snack foods were eaten during the day
• snack calories came from "junk food like chips, candy and cookies
• only 45 calories came from fruits and vegetables combined

Some factors that affected a child's snacking habits were:

skipping breakfast:  if a child skipped breakfast, they were more likely to snack ( makes sense, if the last time they ate was the day before, they are going to start to get really hungry if they skip breakfast.

choosing their own snacks: kids have more control over choosing low nutrition foods than what is served at dinnertime

availability and affordability of snacks:  it could be that low nutrition snacks are cheaper and more readily available than fresh fruits and vegetables

I remember stopping in at a 711 for a quick snack while on the road.  I stopped and really looked around.  There were rows and so many choices for cookies, chips, Slurpies and candy.  But there was one small basket of fresh fruit to the left of the counter.  I think that says it all;-(

Healthy Snacks for Kids resources:

Healthy Snack Ideas

Back To School Healthy Snacks For The Lunchbox