Kids who snack may have better-quality diets

Mombasa’s MM Shah & MV Shah Academy students enjoy their snacks at the school canteen on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Children who eat between meals may be getting fruits and other elements of a healthy diet that they would not otherwise eat, a small study of kids’ diet quality suggests.

Researchers examined data on eating habits among 150 families in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, with children 5 to 7 years old. The study team surveyed participants on three separate occasions about what they ate and drank over the previous 24 hours.