Healthy Alternative to "GOLDFISH"

Annie's makes organic cheddar bunnies if that would make you feel any better: www.annies.com/products/Cheddar-Bunnies

If you get the original you don't have to deal with the color additive, but as far as goldfish go, they're healthier than chips...

They make a whole grain goldfish now.

I have no answers for you, but as a daycare lady..I can tell you I limit them..and that I call Fishy crackers "crack for kids"..LOL. They can not get enough of those silly things! I do not know what they put in them or on them, but I have yet to meet a child who won't inhale them??!!

We usually limit them to the occasional snack time once or twice a month (and I like to mix them in with other snacks in a mix we do..the color is a nice addition to a raisin/craisin, pretzel, cheerios, rice chex sort of mix..we also use them in any soup I can get the kids to eat..the fishys go for a swim..then drown...LOL)

Air Popped Popcorn! My vet actually suggested for my little dog who is now on a diet to SHARE my air popped popcorn NO salt NO butter just YUM! HE loves it - I toss it to him, he feels that he just got a treat and it encourages him to drink more frequently.

My man likes to shake HOT popcorn in the Kraft Cheese pouches sometimes for a cheesy taste a little goes a LONG way - you do not need the whole pouch for a small - medium sized bowl.

You could try the Annie's Homegrown. They have organic bunnies. I think the bunnies are a bit more nutritious than the goldfish but probably not much. Good luck.

To my amazement, I found out that Goldfish (the original kind, made by Pepperidge Farms) do not contain yellow dyes! I figured they would but was very pleasantly surprised to find out they don't have artificial dyes in them. So that's not an issue. They are not nearly as bad as almost any sweet treat kids eat, so I would let him keep eating them (if they're the "real" ones -- knockoffs are likely to be cheaply made and full of dyes etc.) and just cut back the amount and replace it with fruit and veggies.

Just a thought on some other options mentioned -- Those supposedly healthy potato-chip-like "veggie sticks" and "veggie chips" sold in the potato chip aisles, by the way, are not really healthy. They are mostly potato with some coloring from spinach, tomato, etc., but none of the health benefits of eating those vegetables. Veggie sticks do have less fat than eating potato chips but that's about it. As for popcorn, great snack IF not laden with salt or cooked with oil -- but popcorn is a choking hazard for small children and toddlers. (Ask the pediatrician.) However, for older kids popcorn is a very healthy snack.

When it comes to comparing the little fish that my daughter loves to chips, the fish win any day. And I buy them on sale. She does not like the graham cracker ones so much but the regular cheddar win everytime. But, I did find a recipe on line that says it was really easy and pretty good. I just cannot imagine searching for a little fish cutter--maybe in the clay department at Michaels?-and then cutting all those crackers out. But if you are willling:
http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2011/09/homemade-goldfish-cr...

Of course, you could always use some other shape.

I don't have an alternative (other than we can only buy them when they are on sale so I don't have a lot) but some of the moms I know substitute with the Annie's Organic Bunnies. I compared the ingredients to those in the whole grain goldfish and guess what, the goldfish won! Seemed healthier! And way cheaper. So I don't feel too bad about feeding the fish.

My kids love them too. They make a whole grain and naturally colored versions if that would ease your mind a bit. I don't like them at all so I don't know how they differ taste wise from the standard issue, but my kids have never complained.

Good old fashioned cheerios? or someother cereal that she likes?

my daughter liked those puff things in the cans at that age and probably would still eat them at 5 if i let her, that and cheerios, and goldfish and tons of fresh fruit. Toddlers need the extra calories with all of that effort theyre putting out every day

My daughter loves the Annie's Bunnies, too. They're organic, so I would think that helps make them a bit healthier. Also, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish come in a whole grain cheddar variety, too.

What about rice chex, wheat chex, or corn chex? Or a "cereal mix" with cheerios, life, chex?
L.

I buy the 100 calorie packs of goldfish.

The kids love them and I know the portion control is right - plus is a baked snack. So I think they are fine as long as it's in moderation.

I don't think they are too bad since they are baked and not fried. You really should keep an eye on the amount of sodium in them. I also would avoid the colored ones because of the dyes they may be using. I would check in a health food store and see if there is something out there with less salt and fat. I know Annie's Organic treats are usually a better choice.