Choosing the best cracker for our little ones can be challenging due to the abundance of options available, varying nutritional considerations, and the need to balance taste preferences with healthy choices. Additionally, factors such as ingredient lists, potential allergens, and texture can make the decision-making process overwhelming. I hope this post provides guidance and insights to make your selection easier! And if you’d like to experiment with making crackers at home, give this homemade cheese crackers and graham crackers a try!
What To Look For in Crackers
Here are the top things to look for:
Texture – Try to find a thin cracker that easily crumbles when pressed between fingers. It should dissolve relatively easily and be easy to chew. Minimal Ingredients – the shorter the list the better with no artificial colors or flavors. Whole grains – If there’s no allergies, opt for crackers made with whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats, quinoa, etc. It should be the first ingredient listed. They provide more nutrients and fiber compared to refined grains. Fiber – look for crackers with at least 2 grams of fiber. Here’s a list of high fiber foods for babies and toddlers. Allergens – take into account any allergies or sensitivities your child may have. Check the packaging for common allergens such as wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, or nuts.
Having said this, I want to emphasize that there’s no such thing as the “perfect” cracker. And even if you could find it, it’d probably be quite expensive and not easily accessible. Therefore, I encourage you to take a holistic approach to your child’s diet. Rather than obsessing over finding the “perfect” cracker, focus on overall variety and moderation.
Best Crackers for Babies
For babies, it’s important to look for crackers that are soft and dissolves easily in the mouth. You also want to make sure they are low sodium with no added sugar. The reality is, it’s hard to find crackers that meet all of these criteria. So again, focus on offering a variety of foods and not relying heavily on crackers. In case you run out of ideas, here are some easy baby snacks to rotate through! These are my top picks for baby crackers: Tip: if the cracker is difficult for your baby to eat, try soaking in breastmilk or formula for 30 seconds or so.
Best Crackers for Toddlers
Didn’t find your child’s favorite crackers in this list? That’s ok! My kids love Ritz crackers, Goldfish, and cheez-its and I don’t shy away from purchasing them because they are readily accessible and affordable. Remember that a well-rounded diet consists of a wide range of foods. As long as you ensure diversity and balance, there is always room for less nutritious options. Prioritizing a balanced overall diet and promoting a healthy relationship with food are key to raising a joyous, mindful eater.
How to serve Crackers to Baby and Toddler
While crackers are convenient and loved by most kids, most of them don’t provide much nutrition. BUT they do make for wonderful vehicles for all kinds of nutritious toppings. Here are some easy spreads to boost nutrition and flavor:
Hummus – try this beet hummus, broccoli hummus, or pumpkin seed spinach hummus Peanut butter or nut butter Sunflower seed butter Yogurt – plain or flavored yogurt such as Vanilla yogurt Strawberry yogurt Blueberry yogurt Mango yogurt Peanut butter yogurt Mashed avocado and hemp seeds Mascarpone – here are the best cheeses for babies Cream cheese and jam – try this no added sugar strawberry jam
If you want to learn how to prepare other specific food(s), check out my How To Series!
Additional Resources
