Quick Healthy After-School Snacks

Looking for quick, yet healthy after-school snacks? Here's a few easy ideas. The trick is to satisfy your starving student in a healthy way, yet not spoil dinner.

Sugary pre-made, pre-packaged snacks can not only ruin dinner, but they can start your child on a 'sugar frenzy'. The brain likes the sugar-rush, so often by the time the brain signals the 'I'm full' signal, it's too late. Your child has filled up on sugary cereal or cookies, and they have been robbed of important nutrients for the day. They will also not eat much later, thereby frustrating you and your dinner efforts.

Here are some quick easy ideas that take less than 5 minutes to prepare. In fact, by the third repetitive request of, "Mommmmmmmm..I'm so hungry", you'll already have this made and placed in front of their hungry little pie hole. :)

Whole Wheat Tortila Wheels

Smear cream cheese on a whole wheat tortilla, and roll up like a cigar. Some kids like salsa, so if they do, dollop a small spoonful on top of the cream cheese before rolling. My daughter likes to eat them this way, or if you want to spend the extra 30 seconds, go ahead and slice them up into spiral 'wheels'.

Apple & Peanut Butter

Slice an apple, cut out the core. Serve w/ a big dollop of peanut butter on the side of the plate. I let my daughter smear her own on. It keeps her busy, and I don' t have to hear, "There is too much on this slice. There's not enough on this slice. I didn't want any on THIS slice." Oh mah ga..just do it yourself, kid.

Soup

Ahh..just play that Campbell's Soup commercial in your head, where the boy comes in out of the fridgid cold and warms up to a bowl of hot tomato soup. While canned soups are OK in a pinch, they are loaded with sodium and have had all the nutrients boiled out. If  you have the time to make a big pot of soup for the week ( I do this Sunday evenings), your child really will appreciate the homeade effort, and benefit from increased nutrients. Vegetable soup, noodle soup, and bea/lentil soups are all easy to make options.

Cheese and Crackers

My daughter loves to build her own cheese and cracker combos. White cheese, orange cheese, black olives, green olives, etc. served with whole grain crackers (try to steer clear from the fatty, no grain versions). Just pile on some cheese, crackers, and any other assorted veggies and let your child make their own.

Dried Fruit & Nuts

This is super easy, as all you do is pile some in a little bowl. While high in fiber and good oils, be careful not to give your child too much. This can be too filling if overeaten. Cashews, dried unsweetened cranberries, dried mango, banana chips, raisins and peanuts are all easy, tasty options.

Happy Snacking! Remember, although the pre-packaged chips, rice krispie squares and cookies may seem appealing, you are not really doing your child any nutritional favors! They will like the above snack options just as much, and some of them will keep them busy too.