A baby’s stomach is small, but the need for energy and nutrients is big. Just three meals a day is often not enough. With the right snacks, you give your child exactly what they need to grow and develop. This is the perfect time to lay the foundation for healthy eating habits with snacks full of flavor, nutrition, and fun. Discover which snacks suit your baby or toddler.
The importance of healthy snacks
Supplement
Small snacks are a valuable addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make sure they are nutritious and small, leaving enough appetite for main meals. From around 8 months, you can think of a few pieces of fruit, half a rice cake, or a small bowl of goat yogurt.
Eat the colors of the rainbow
Did you know that taste development begins in the womb? Afterwards, variety continues to play a big role. By letting your child experience many different tastes and textures, you increase the chance of healthy eating habits later. Babies are still open to new flavors; what they learn now often shapes their preferences in the future. So vary widely – the more colors of fruits and vegetables, the more nutritious. Remember: don’t fill, nourish!
Rest and routine
Fixed snack times help prevent your child from wanting to eat all day. Two snack times, for example in the morning and afternoon, are usually enough. This leaves appetite for main meals and helps your child learn structure. This routine is also good for toddlers. Curious about what a daily schedule could look like? Check out our Pure Goat daily menus here.
Eating together
It’s important that everyone around the child follows the same rules. Plan meals together whenever possible, as parents are the main role model. Research shows that children who grow up in families with healthy eating and exercise habits often develop healthier lifestyles themselves.
Healthy snacks by age
|
Age |
Consistency & Texture |
Examples of Healthy Snacks |
Pure Goat Tip |
|
6–8 months |
Smooth or puréed |
Mashed banana, apple or pear; soft vegetables like carrot or broccoli; breadstick or soft bread for chewing; spoon of goat yogurt or plant-based alternative |
Offer one flavor at a time and repeat regularly. Preferably choose organic |
|
8–10 months |
Soft, small pieces |
Steamed pumpkin or zucchini cubes; fruit puree or small banana or peach pieces; whole grain rice cake or mini-cracker; bread dipped in Pure Goat follow-on milk |
Great for motor skills and perfect as a snack for 8-month-old babies |
|
10–12 months |
Coarser pieces, suitable for chewing |
Small pieces of soft vegetables or fruit; bowl of goat yogurt; whole grain cracotte; mini pancakes made from vegetables or fruit |
Combine flavors and textures for smooth transition to family meals. |
Did you know that you can also easily make snacks with our Pure Goat Organic Porridge 5 Grains? Check here for simple baby recipes. Even if you want to make a tasty snack in 5 minutes.
Which snacks to avoid?
Not everything we eat is safe or suitable for small children. Avoid:
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Nuts, peanuts, and popcorn (choking hazard)
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Hard raw vegetables or whole grapes (always cut small or soften)
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Large pieces of bread or cookies that a baby could choke on
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Avoid salted cold cuts. Prefer snacks without added salt or sugar.
