Arla Foods Ingredients has developed a suite of protein and calcium-rich snacking solutions for kids that offer a healthier alternative to chocolate bars and other popular children’s snacks.

According to research, snacks now account for about one quarter of the calories American children consume. In tandem with this, there is growing concern over obesity rates among children, which means the role of snacking in their diets is now under greater scrutiny than ever before. As a result, demand is increasing for kids’ snacks that taste great and offer good nutrition—which is not always an easy balance to achieve.

To enable manufacturers to create healthier, tastier snacks for children, Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a selection of new product application solutions. All have been benchmarked against existing kids’ snacks options to ensure they represent a superior option in terms of improved nutrition, according to the company.

Among the solutions in the range is a 35-gram “dairy bar” that offers as much calcium per serving as one glass of milk. It is 20% protein and low in calories. Benchmarked against a typical chocolate bar, it contains one third less energy and, since more of the calories come from protein, energy release in the body is optimized. This helps youngsters to feel fuller for longer than they would with confectionery, where more of the energy comes from sugars.

Other innovative application solutions in the new snacking range include a yogurt bar, a healthier dessert, a carbonized drinking yoghurt and a snack cake with less than 100 calories per serving.

Kasia Lindegaard, customer marketing manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “When they are given the choice, most kids will choose snacks that are fatty and sugary because they prefer the taste. The challenge for parents, therefore, is to buy and offer them healthier products they will still enjoy but which are better for them. For food manufacturers, this presents an excellent opportunity to meet a clear need in the market. Now, with these new dairy-based kids’ snacking solutions, there is an easy way to develop new products that will appeal to both parents and children.”

The kids’ snacking application solutions have been launched under Arla Foods Ingredients’ Goodness of Dairy campaign. This highlights how dairy ingredients are key to tapping into growing consumer demand for food that is natural, healthy and delivers great taste and texture.