Here are a few ideas to try if you’re in a bit of a rut when it comes to including oral health-friendly snacks to your child’s lunchbox.
Crunchy Vegetables
Crunchy fresh vegetables like celery, cucumbers, carrots, green peppers, lettuce and broccoli are one of the very best snacks for oral health. The high water content of vegetables not only rehydrates young bodies, but also dilutes natural sugars and washes away food particles while we eat.
For children who aren't that into raw veggies you can include something healthy to dip the veggies in, like hummus or salsa. But if you want to get even fancier, try a tasty dill cucumber dip or a slaw salad.
Cheese
Cheese contains significant amounts of phosphorous and calcium, both of these minerals that play a key role in keeping tooth enamel strong. Cheese also increases the saliva in the mouth, which acts as a natural defence against cavity - and gum disease - causing bacteria.
Be sure to add some cheese, whole grain and seed crackers and some fruit to your child’s lunch box for a delicious snack.
Nuts & Seeds
High in healthy fats, calcium, vitamin D, fibre and folic acid, nuts and seeds are a healthy source of protein. Try adding a snack mix of nuts and seeds to your child’s lunch, and experiment with seasonings for a flavour kick. Remember to try to stay away from sugars!
Fruit
Bananas, strawberries and mangoes are a healthy sweet treat that can replace dessert but fibrous fruits like apples and hard pears act almost like a natural toothbrush when you bite and chew them, as they help scrub plaque from the teeth.
To jazz the fruit up a bit, try sending some sugar-free peanut better for dipping apples, or low sugar yogurt dips.