For busy parents, finding time to prepare healthy merienda can be a challenge, especially when food delivery apps make fast food so convenient. To counter the appeal of unhealthy snacks, many are seeking simple, homemade ideas that their children will love. If you're looking for practical tips and easy recipes to make afternoon snack time both nutritious and enjoyable, you've come to the right place.

Key Merienda Insights for Parents

• Prioritize Healthy Snacking: Keep nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods like bread, cheese, fruits, and mayo on hand to reduce the temptation of junk food.
• Involve Your Kids: Encourage children to help prepare their own snacks to build healthy eating habits from a young age.
• Energy and Brain Boost: Regular, nutritious merienda helps manage a child's energy levels, prevents moodiness, and provides essential nutrients for brain development and academic performance.
• Make it Social: Use snack time as an opportunity for children to socialize with family and friends, which helps develop their emotional intelligence.

With the convenience of food delivery apps, it's easy for kids to choose unhealthy fast food. To counter this, many parents are looking for quick and easy merienda ideas. Preparing simple, homemade snacks is a great way to move away from junk food and ensure children get nutritious options.

A Busy Mom’s Favorite Homemade Merienda Ideas

We spoke with Beng Caguitla, a working mom from Unilever Foods & Homecare, about her family's snacking habits. Here, she shares her strategies for preparing her kids' meals and some healthy merienda alternatives.

As a busy working mom of 3, can you share your kids’ favorite snacks?

Mommy Beng: My eldest (22) enjoys comfort food like pizza and pasta but has recently started focusing on eating healthy. She's even cut rice from her diet and practices portion control with favorites like lechon paksiw and fried chicken.

My son (20) loves sweets like donuts and cookies, but also enjoys siopao and pizza. For Pinoy food, he likes sinigang and chop suey. His current favorite is a simple tomato pasta I make with fresh tomatoes.

My youngest (17) craves treats like French fries and burgers, and has a sweet tooth for milk tea and gummy candies. Her favorite cuisines are Japanese and Korean. Despite their different tastes, I make sure they always have fruits and vegetables to snack on.

Can you share some of your homemade merienda ideas that are healthy and nutritious but quick to make?

Mommy Beng: I often make wheat toast with arugula from my garden, Lady's Choice Real Mayonnaise, and cheese. It's a simple and healthy merienda I enjoy.

A crowd favorite I prepare for my family is pesto egg mayo sandwiches. This spread is so popular that I also sell it, and it's a bestseller.

For something different, I make beef tacos with shredded lettuce and a special, tasty sauce made from low-fat milk, cheese powder, mayo, and ketchup.

A classic hotdog sandwich is always a hit (patok) with the kids. It’s as simple as fresh buns, hotdogs, ketchup, and mayo.

I also make a special sandwich for my mom. She loves a combination of Lady's Choice bacon and Lady's Choice Ham Spread. It's an absolute must-try!

Many parents struggle with feeding their kids certain foods, can you share tips on how to get your child to eat healthier?

Mommy Beng: My main rule is to not stock junk food at home. Instead, I always have easy-to-prepare snack ingredients like bread, cheese, mayo, hotdogs, and crackers. I also make sure fruits are part of their meals. Getting kids involved in snack preparation and ensuring home-cooked meals are always available helps reduce the temptation to order takeout.

Why Afternoon Merienda is Essential for Kids

That afternoon snack after a siesta is more important than it may seem. There are several key advantages to giving your child a tasty merienda. Here are the benefits of preparing regular afternoon snacks for your family.

Managing energy levels

A hungry child is often a cranky one, regardless of age. A drop in energy can cause mood shifts, but having snacks on hand helps prevent hunger-related tantrums. Providing a mid-morning and afternoon snack tides children over between main meals. Since kids have smaller stomachs and higher metabolic rates, these snacks ensure they have sustained energy throughout the day.

Snacking helps brain development

Studies show a clear link between nutrition and academic performance. Research from Naga’s Department of Education indicated that malnourished children are 20% less literate and that 7% of undernourished children made more errors in basic arithmetic. A full stomach helps children concentrate on schoolwork, and merienda provides essential nutrients for brain development.

Afternoon merienda encourages socializing

Much like school recess, merienda time offers a chance for children to socialize with friends, siblings, or parents. This interaction is a vehicle for learning, helping improve a child's emotional quotient as they learn valuable social skills like sharing.

Snacking encourages a better appetite

Getting kids interested in food, especially at mealtimes, can be challenging. Offering snacks during the day can encourage them to eat more. An easy merienda recipe, like the Chicken Inasal Wrap, is a perfect chance to experiment with different foods. You can also use pantry staples like Lady's Choice Ham Spread to create delicious treats for the whole family.

Snacks are beneficial for all ages, as long as they are not junk food. While an occasional unhealthy treat is fine, it shouldn't be a habit. As a parent, providing proper nutrition is key to helping your family grow healthy and strong. Having easy merienda ideas on hand makes it simpler to spend quality time with your family without sacrificing nutrition.

Simple and Healthy Merienda for Your Family

Finding time to prepare healthy merienda for kids can be a challenge for busy parents, but it doesn't have to be complicated. With a few simple merienda ideas and pantry staples, you can easily create delicious and nutritious afternoon snacks. Making merienda at home not only provides essential energy and nutrients for your children's development but also creates valuable family moments. Start today and make snack time a healthy, enjoyable part of your family's routine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merienda