The Type of Snacks to Keep in the Refrigerator for Teens

Teenagers can be difficult to please when it comes to food. They may be fussy, picking at the meals you prepare and grumbling about not getting what they want all the time. Or they may have huge appetites, constantly filling up with snacks between meals and rummaging in the fridge for something to eat at all times of the day and night.

Vital Nutrients

Hard-boiled eggs are packed with protein.

If your teenager snacks a lot, make sure the food on hand is nutritious. Snacks can fill gaps in a diet, so make sure snacks in the fridge contain calcium, low-fat protein and complex carbohydrates. Hard-boiled eggs are high-protein snacks, great for grabbing on the go. Cheese is a great source of calcium for a teenager's growing bones, and string cheese or prepackaged mini cheeses are quick and easy. Keep small tubs of hummus and peanut butter in your fridge and encourage your teenager to use them as dips and accompaniments to fruit, breadsticks and soft pretzels.

Fruit

Chopping fruit may make it more appealing to your teen.

Keep plenty of fruit in your fridge. Offer a selection to appeal to your teenager's changing tastes. Apples and oranges are a great source of vitamin C, berries are the fruit containing the most powerful antioxidants and pineapple is rich in vitamins and minerals. Wash and prepare the fruit and store it in plastic boxes in the fridge so that all your teenager needs to do is grab and eat it.

Sweet Treats

Honey is a natural sweetener with medicinal properties.

Have a range of healthy snacks to satisfy your teenager's sweet tooth and stop her asking for chocolate and sugary snacks that have little nutritional value. Most teens love popcorn, but mix it with nuts and dried fruit to create a snack high in good fats. Replace regular yogurt with Greek yogurt for a protein boost and sweeten it by adding a spoonful of honey or fresh berries.

Portion Control

Teach your teen good snacking habits.

Encouraging your teenager to eat healthy snacks is only half the battle. If your teen has a tendency to overeat, it's important that you take steps to control his portions. Ideally, he should be eating a small meal every three to four hours to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, prevent mood swings and minimize the likelihood of bingeing. Help your teenager stick to sensible portion sizes by preparing snacks in advance and keeping them in zipper sandwich bags in the fridge. From whole-grain crackers and chopped fruit to cubes of cheese and slices of turkey, thinking carefully about portion size will help keep your teen healthy and teach him healthy eating habits.