🍎🥕 After-School Snack Ideas for Healthy, Happy Kids! 🥪🍊

/in , , , , , , , /by

Hey parents! When the school bell rings, it’s snack time! Providing nutritious snacks not only fuels your kids but also supports their active lifestyles. Here are some tasty and fun snack ideas that your kids will love:

Pump up the fun:

  • Popsicle smoothie: turn your favorite smoothie into a popsicle by pouring it into a popsicle mold and freezing overnight.
  • Yogurt Parfait: top Greek yogurt with granola and berries 
  • Hummus Fondue: Mix low-sodium vegetable broth into hummus. Serve with whole-grain bread cubes, crackers, pretzels or sliced veggies
  • Snacky Sushi: spread peanut butter on a tortilla, wrap a banana in it and slice into “sushi” pieces
  • Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark: Line baking sheet with parchment paper, pour yogurt onto baking sheet, sprinkle chopped fruit and freeze. 
  • Orange Bowl: Scoop out an orange half, fill it with whole-grain cereal and milk, and arrange orange segments around it for a sunny snack.
  • Burger Kebabs: Cook a veggie or turkey burger, cut into pieces, and thread onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and pita triangles. Drizzle with ketchup or mustard.
  • Smoothie Soup: Blend frozen fruit with vanilla yogurt and 100% fruit juice. Serve chilled in a bowl or a cantaloupe “bowl.”
  • Ant Attack: Spread peanut butter on celery and top with raisins.
  • Fruit Sundae: fill waffle cone with strawberries, drizzle with nut butter and top with slivered almonds.
  • Apple pizza: slice apple and top with nut butter, fruit, seeds and drizzle with honey.

Keeping it simple:

  • Trailmix
  • Banana + peanut butter
  • Hummus + pretzels or sliced veggies
  • Yogurt drink
  • Cheese stick + grapes
  • Baby carrots + peanut butter
  • Roasted chickpeas
  • Hard boiled egg + crackers
  • Popcorn + nuts
  • Edamame 
  • Yogurt cup and fruit

Remember, snacks can be delicious and nutritious! Help your kids meet their nutrition goals with these creative ideas. 🌟 #HealthyKids #AfterSchoolSnacks

Back To School Nutrition Tips

/in , , , , , , /by
  • Breakfast is an important meal for growing children. Studies show that breakfast eaters tend to have higher school attendance, less tardiness and fewer hunger-induced stomachaches in the morning. Their overall test scores are higher, they concentrate better, solve problems more easily and have better muscle coordination.
  • If your child’s school provides meals, take time to review the menu with them and discuss how to build a healthful and nutritious meal they will enjoy. Make sure the choices include whole grains, vegetables, fruits and low-fat or fat-free dairy at every meal.
  • If you pack your children’s lunches, take your kids grocery shopping with you and allow them to pick out healthy foods that they enjoy. Your kids are much more likely to eat what you pack for them if they have picked it out themselves.
  • For children that are involved in an after-school activity, packing a healthy snack they can eat beforehand. Such as fruit or vegetable slices, 100 percent fruit juice and whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese are healthy options that will give them the energy they need to make it to dinner.
  • Regular physical activity is very important to a child’s development. Not all children may like sports, but there are still plenty of ways they can get exercise on a daily basis at school and at home. Creating an activity that you and your child both enjoy is a great way to spend quality time with your child while being active.

 

Posted by: SSG

Source: http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442467951