How to Prepare Healthy After-School Snacks

After a tough day at school, kids need to refuel with a nutritious snack. Try these easy ideas.

Things You'll Need

• Apples
• Baked Tortilla Chips
• Corn Tortillas
• Granola And Other Cereals
• Lowfat Cheddar Cheese
• Mild Salsas
• Nonfat Yogurt
• Peanut Butter
• Trail Mix
• cucumbers, jicama, celery, and carrots

Instructions

1. Stir granola into nonfat vanilla yogurt for a creamy, crunchy snack.

2. Slice apples and serve them with a glob of peanut butter. Let kids spread peanut butter on the apple slices with a butter knife.

3. Munch veggies. Try the usual carrots and celery sticks, then add jicama sticks, bell pepper strips or cucumber slices. Offer lowfat ranch dressing as a dip.

4. Beat the heat by blending 2 c. ice, 1/2 c. frozen orange juice concentrate, and 1/2 to 3/4 c. water into a healthy, slushy drink.

5. Dip crunchy, baked tortilla chips into colorful, mild salsa.

6. Grate lowfat cheddar cheese and put it between two corn or whole-wheat tortillas. Heat in the microwave for an easy quesadilla.

7. Chomp on trail mix made from toasted nuts, dried fruit and a crunchy whole-grain cereal.

Tips & Warnings

• A heathy snack adds something to your child's diet, such as fiber, protein, vitamins or minerals.

• Keep your kitchen stocked with a variety of easy, healthy snacks. Avoid keeping potato chips, high-fat cookies and other unhealthy snack foods in the house.

• Avoid giving children under 4 years of age nuts or nut butters, as they can be choking hazards.