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Is Snack Time Treat Time?

July 16, 2025 Children
Many people think snacks and treats are the same. But they’re not!
Let’s break it down.

What Is a Snack?

A snack is a small amount of food you eat between meals.

Healthy snacks—like apple slices or cheese—give your body energy and help you stay full.

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Q:

Is a Snack Always a Treat?

No. A snack doesn’t have to be a treat. If every snack is a sweet or salty food, it can lead to too many calories and weight gain—for kids and adults.

Q:

Are All Snacks Healthy?

Not always. Snacks provide about 1/4 of the daily calories for adults and children, so their quality is important. Many kids get up to 35% of their added sugar from snacks. This can lead to poor eating habits and not getting enough of the nutrients they need to grow strong. Plan for healthy snacking, starting with your weekly grocery list.

What Is a Treat?

A treat is something special.

It’s not something you eat every day.
A treat could be birthday cake or ice cream at a party.

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Q:

What Is a “Snack Food”?

Some people use “snack food” to describe foods like:

  • Chips
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Candy
  • Soda or sweet drinks
These are usually high in sugar, salt, or fat and low in nutrients.
These are treats, not healthy snacks.

Why Do Kids (and Some Adults) Need Snacks?

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Snacks are important, especially for young children.
Snacks can help kids when:

  • They can’t eat much at one time
  • They are growing fast or need to gain weight
  • There’s a long time between meals
  • They only eat two meals a day
  • They need more nutrients

Little kids need to eat more often than adults.

That’s why snacks matter! The American Academy of Pediatrics says toddlers should have 2–3 healthy snacks a day. Preschoolers should have 2 healthy snacks a day.
food unsafe Smart Snacking Tips

Snacks can be part of a healthy diet!

Here are some tips to make snack time better for your family:

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Make a snack list.

Keep a few go-to snacks written down or planned ahead.

Prep in advance.

Wash and cut fruits or veggies ahead of time.

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Use leftovers.

Leftover beans, pasta, rice, or soup can be great snacks!

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Let kids help.

Toddlers and preschoolers can help pack snacks in muffin cups or containers.

Add fruits and veggies.

Snacks are a great time to eat more produce.

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Include dairy.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese help with strong bones and healthy growth.

Go easy on salty snacks.

Young kids can develop a taste for salty food early.

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Balance is best.

A mix of protein (like cheese or eggs) and carbs (like crackers or fruit) helps you stay full longer.

food unsafe Healthy Snack Ideas
Try some of these simple, kid-friendly snacks:
  • ✓ Apple slices with cheese
  • ✓ Whole grain crackers with peanut butter
  • ✓ Sugar snap peas with yogurt dip
  • ✓ Carrot sticks with hummus
  • ✓ Cottage cheese with canned peaches or pineapple
  • ✓ Plain yogurt with fruit and a little jam
  • ✓ Small grilled cheese sandwich on whole wheat
  • ✓ Refried beans with tortilla chips
  • ✓ Cheese and crackers (not packaged snacks)
  • ✓ Yogurt with cereal
  • ✓ Cereal with milk
  • ✓ Cup of veggie soup
  • ✓ Hard-cooked egg with whole grain crackers
  • ✓ Homemade trail mix with low-sugar cereal, raisins, and nuts (for kids 4+)

Snacks don’t have to be fancy or perfect—just balanced and thoughtful. With a little planning, snack time can be a great way to help your child grow strong and healthy.

REFERENCES:

Hess, J. M., & Slavin, J. L. (2018). The benefits of defining “snacks”. Physiology & Behavior, 193(Part B), 284–287.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.04.019
Accessed April 13, 2025.

Bailey, R. L., Leidy, H. J., Mattes, R. D., Heymsfield, S. B., Boushey, C. J., Ahluwalia, N., Cowan, A. E., Pannucci, T., Moshfegh, A. J.,
Goldman, J. D., Rhodes, D. G., Stoody, E. E., de Jesus, J., & Casavale, K. O. (2022). Frequency of eating in the US population: A
narrative review of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(9), nzac132.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac132
Accessed April 14, 2025.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025.
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
Accessed April 15, 2025.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Reducing the risk of choking in young children at mealtimes.
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/English_ReducingRiskofChokinginYoungChildren.pdf
Accessed April 15, 2025.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Toddler food and feeding. Healthy Active Living for Families.
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/healthy-active-living-for-families/toddler-food-and-feeding/
Accessed April 15, 2025.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Preschooler food and feeding. Healthy Active Living for Families.
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/healthy-active-living-for-families/preschooler-food-and-feeding/
Accessed April 15, 2025.

Author: Bridget Swinney MS, RDN, LD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position