Healthy snacks are an important part of a balanced diet. Eating healthy snacks energizes your metabolism and helps you burn fat, reports "Fitness" magazine. The ideal classroom snacks are easy to carry with you, simple and quiet to eat. Unhealthy snacks typically are foods that you find in vending machines, such as candy bars, chips, cookies and crackers, most of which are loaded with sugar, saturated fat, partially hydrogenated oil and artificial ingredients.
Banana-Nut Sandwich
Use one slice of whole-grain bread or sprouted bread for a high-fiber sandwich half. Half a sandwich is similar in size to a candy bar. Spread nut butter on half of the slice of bread. Cut pieces from half of a banana and place it on the bread. Sprinkle on cinnamon to taste. The sweetness from the banana should be sufficient, but if you need more, try stevia, which is from an herb and does not raise your blood sugar level. You can also use a spoonful of blackstrap molasses for additional nutrients like iron -- but use it sparingly because it does contain calories and can raise your blood glucose level.
Vegetables and Hummus
Bring a snack of vegetables and hummus to your classroom. Vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are ideal for dipping into hummus. Hummus primarily consists of blended chickpeas, sesame seeds, lemon juice and garlic or other spices. The chickpeas provide dietary fiber and protein, while the lemon juice provides vitamin C. Fiber keeps your digestive system healthy, and vitamin C strengthens your immune system. Broccoli and cauliflower are part of the cruciferous vegetable family and provide you with antioxidants that protect you from free radicals and inhibit tumor growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Quinoa Cookies
You can make a healthy alternative to vending machine cookies by making your own quinoa cookies. Quinoa offers a high-quality protein with an optimal amount of amino acids. Use minimal raw cane sugar, stevia, mashed banana or fruit juice to sweeten it. Use a non-hydrogenated butter substitute instead of butter. Replace half of the flour of a normal cookie recipe with cooked quinoa.
If you don't have time to bake, buy nutritious health food bars. Check the ingredient list to see if it contains a minimal amount of sugar. Some bars are made with healthy ingredients like omega-3 and greens like spirulina, but are naturally made to taste like chocolate.
Bell Pepper and Guacamole
Bell pepper wedges are rich in vitamin C and make a great dipping device. They are an ideal replacement for greasy chips, because they are juicy, crispy, low-calorie and fat-free. The avocados in the guacamole will provide you with healthy fat, which is important in absorbing and utilizing the fat-soluble vitamin A in bell peppers.
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