It’s back to school season and kids are coming home hungry! It can be a long time between lunch and dinner if parents work late, and children will be looking for a snack. Keep their choices healthy by stocking the cupboards and refrigerator full of good choices. Make it easy for them to make the right choices and they will surprise you. We came up with our top 7 after school snacks that we would have loved as kids. Turn the popular yet unhealthy snacks into parent approved with smart choices.
1. Healthy Nachos. Turn this high fat snack into a healthy choice by topping it with guacamole and fresh salsa. Have these dips ready in the fridge so kids can easily grab them. Salsa is a great choice because it is very high in fiber and low in calories.
2. Pizza Bites. For a richer, more filling snack, have these cute little pizza bites frozen. Use mini pita bites and top with sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. Freeze them for an easy snack. Your child will only have to toss a few in the microwave for a little bite of pizza.
3. Vegetables and Ranch Dip. Make your own ranch dressing for a healthy choice for this snack. Use 0% fat Greek yogurt and mix in dry ranch mix for a high protein dip. Kids won’t even know the difference!
4. Frozen Bananas. Frozen bananas have a great texture thanks to their natural sugars. Cut a banana into pieces and coat in a thin layer of chocolate. While the chocolate is still warm, roll the banana in their favorite toppings. Nuts make a high protein choice. Freeze them and your kids will have a quick frozen treat.
5. Apple Oatmeal Cookies. Turn boring oatmeal cookies into a treat by adding dried apple pieces to the mix. This also hikes up the fiber content so your kids will feel fuller for longer eating less.
6. Roasted Chickpeas. These high fiber, high protein beans make a fantastic snack. Back them in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes to dry them out. Take them out and toss with a bit of oil and your favorite spices and salt. Put them back in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 to crisp them up. Let them cool and they turn into a crunchy snack that’s very healthy.
7. Fruit Salad. Make this healthy snack with a simple syrup and it will sit in the fridge for up to a week. Keep a big contain of it and let your kids take out their own portions for snacks.
