Coming up with delicious, healthy snacks for my stubborn toddler is one challenging task! Aside from being organic and non-GMO, I also like to give him snacks with a Latin twist; it’s important to me that he know and love the traditional Latin foods that I grew up. But getting him to experiment with certain foods has been one big batalla in my house that has led me to spend countless hours online getting inspiration—from food sites to Pinterest—to find healthy, delicioso snack ideas that he’ll enjoy. His pediatrician promises that he will outgrow this picky phase (thank Dios!) but until then, these Latin-inspired snacks, are my saving grace.
1. Guacamole with pita bread
Avocado is an incredibly healthy food that is loaded with nutrients and healthy fats. The best part: It’s so easy to make guacamole from scratch! I simply mash a whole avocado and add a little bit of cilantro (finely chopped), some chopped tomatoes, and a bit of lime juice. Serve with triangle-shaped pita bread and done.
2. Yogurt with granola and fruit
An easy snack that my toddler loves is yogurt with fruit. We usually go for a non-dairy yogurt (he’s sensitive to dairy) and I add the fruits I loved as a child, like papaya. I top off this delicious treat with granola.
3. Ants on a log (with a twist)
This is a kid classic! I spread peanut butter (or cream cheese) on top of celery and place raisins on top. My hijo gets a kick out of how it looks. To give it a little Latin twist, I swap the peanut butter for guacamole and instead of raisins, I’ll add black beans.
4. Fruit and veggie batida
Abuela did always say to eat your veggies! One way to make sure your toddler is getting her daily veggie fix is to make it in a batida (smoothie). My toddler loves one that I make with coconut water, kale, banana, mango, and blueberries. Yum!
5. Yucca fries with hummus
My toddler is a huge fan of hummus…and now Yucca, a traditional Latin root vegetable that’s packed with vitamins and minerals. I boil the Yucca until tender then cut them into strips and place them in the oven for about 10 minutes or until crisp. So easy!
Photo: Getty
