After a long day at school, kids may be hungry and want a snack when they get home. Childhood obesity is on the rise, however, and snacks full of fat and empty calories are not conducive to a healthy diet. Before you anticipate your kids groaning at tasteless, bland health food, prepare these nutritious yet tasty after-school snacks.
Portable Snacks
After school, your kids may go to a friend's house or an enrichment program, but they can still take along healthy snacks in a plastic bag. Some of these convenient snacks include pretzels, popcorn, sliced vegetables like carrots and celery, dried or fresh fruits and nuts, graham crackers and mini rice cakes topped with peanut butter. You can make snack bags ahead of time for the coming week; this way, you or your children can just grab-and-go.
Whole Grains
Grain products run the gamut from sugary cereals to whole-grain breads; healthy snacks should focus more on the whole grains. These provide children with fiber, vitamins and minerals. Whole wheat pitas served with hummus and fresh vegetables, whole-grain crackers served with low-fat cheese, low-sugar granola or cereal bars and whole-grain flatbreads are all healthy snacks for kids.
Dairy Products
Dairy products provide children with calcium to help support their bones and teeth, but many dairy-based foods are also full of saturated fat, which is bad for the arteries. Low-fat and fat-free dairy products are healthier choices than full-fat products. Low-fat yogurts containing less than 30 g of sugar in a 6-ounce cup, low-fat cheese and low-fat puddings and frozen yogurts are all snacks that are healthier choices. Topping yogurt or frozen yogurt with fresh fruit or granola can provide even more nutrients.
Hot Snacks
On cool autumn days or during the winter, a hot after-school snack can hit the spot after a long day. Some healthy snacks that will warm kids up include tofu hot dogs, ramen noodle soup with extra vegetables added for more nutrition, homemade cornbread or muffins, and oatmeal topped with fresh fruit. If you make hot chocolate, use reduced-sugar mixes and low-fat or fat-free milk.
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