6 Tasty Snack Ideas for ADHD in Children

6 Tasty Snack Ideas for ADHD in Children

Can a person’s diet lead to ADHD? While there is no evidence that this happens, the truth is that diet will always play a pivotal role in the overall physical and mental health of everyone, especially growing children. So, when looking for snacks for ADHD for kids, one has to remember to use fresh ingredients that are not processed foods and have low-sugar content.

Healthy snacks for ADHD should focus on including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, calcium-rich foods, whole grains, and proteins. ADHD medications can hamper a kid’s appetite and he may not even eat properly the entire day; no surprises then why he is starving by the time he gets home from school. This is when one can offer them smart healthy dietary choices like those mentioned below.

Mini pizzas
This is a quick snack idea that is easy to prepare and can boost the child’s behavior and concentration. One can use a whole-wheat muffin that is loaded with fibers, low-fat cheese for the protein content and this combination will make the ADHD drugs work more effectively. The fiber keeps the kid feeling full for longer and this is needed because energy dips may result in restlessness and lack of concentration.

Fruit smoothies
Kids suffering from ADHD can benefit from fiber, minerals, and vitamins that fruits have to offer. For instance, vitamin C is known to be very helpful in boosting brain functions. One can choose strawberries, oranges for vitamin C, mangoes, and spinach for folate, bananas for vitamin B6 that helps to form neurotransmitters that will affect behavior, etc. Use fresh fruits with yogurt to make a smoothie; blend the orange juice, bananas, and ice inside blenders and add some yogurt to this mix.

Hummus with pita
Hummus is a popular protein-rich Middle Eastern dip prepared from chickpeas and sesame seeds or tahini. This can be an excellent plant protein and fiber source. Besides, both sesame seeds and chickpeas are rich in folate and iron that helps to improve functions like focus and circulation in people with ADHD. One can use whole-wheat pita bread and serve hummus with it; one may even garnish these with colorful vegetable spears.

Dried fruits
These are excellent fiber and protein sources and go well with dried nuts. However, one must monitor the portions because a lot of dried fruits or nuts could end up adding unwanted calories to the child’s diet.

Whole-wheat bread and peanut butter
For children in general, whether or not they have ADHD, snacks must be protein-rich because this boosts learning abilities and memory functions. One can apply peanut butter as it is an excellent protein food on whole-wheat bread that is high in fiber, to make a quick delicious snack for a kid with ADHD. An alternative may be half tuna sandwiches that contain canned tuna rich in essential fatty acids.

Veggies sticks and tasty dips
One may cut fresh vegetables like sweet bell peppers, carrots and celery into bite-sized portions and keep these aside in the refrigerator for hassle-free snacking. When the child is given fresh fruits and is kept away from foods with artificial preservatives and colors, one can alleviate ADHD symptoms. To make this snack mouth-watering all one needs are some tasty dips made with low-fat dressing or cottage cheese.