5 Healthy Snacks for After School

As a parent, nothing beats the happy thought of your children going home after school with some delicious snacks in the kitchen waiting for them to devour as soon as they arrive.  While a bag of chips could be the way to go for your child, you may be thinking about their health first.

For those parents that want some snacks that taste delicious and are good for your body, here are five to heavily consider:

 

Oatmeal Blueberry Bars

Homemade oatmeal blueberry bars are indeed healthier compared to what you will find in stores.  Make sure these bars are made from whole wheat flour and oatmeal. Put these blueberry bars in plastic, sealed inside a zip-top bag and then keep it frozen. Take it out from the freezer at least an hour before the kids arrive to ensure they are crunchy enough to bite. Blueberries are rich sources of antioxidants, while whole wheat and oatmeal bars are heavy with fiber.  Allow your kids to indulge in these nutritious snacks to make them healthier and happier each time they get home from school.

 

Yogurt

Who says you had enough of yogurt? This classic quick and easy to grab snack is not only delicious but nutritious as well. It is loaded with vitamin D and calcium.  The more you eat yogurt, the stronger your bones will be. However, you need to be careful in choosing the kind of yogurt to buy.  Read the label and select the ones with organic and non-fat content. Prepare some fresh fruits and granola bars for toppers your kids will surely enjoy.

 

Trail Mix

Grab some dried fruits, seeds and nuts for your yummy and nutritious trail mix. One good thing about making your own trail mix is that you have complete control on what should be included in the mix.  Thus, you can ensure that everything is healthy for your kids to grab after a day in school.  These nuts and dried fruits are rich sources of magnesium, carbohydrates and fiber.   Add to that those seeds that are loaded with minerals, monounsaturated fats and protein. You may add some dried banana
chips or pretzels for that crunchy feeling.

 

Peanut Butter Sandwich

This is another classic snack that is so easy to prepare.  You may have this peanut butter sandwich not only as an after-school snack but also as a midnight snack.  To make it healthier, use whole wheat bread for your sandwich so your kids can have a rich source of fiber and protein. If your child is allergic to peanuts, try to look for other nut butters as your safe alternative. You may even use whole grain mini waffles instead of bread for an exciting change.

 

Apple Smiles

Well, sweet treats would never fail to please your children.  Make their eyes glow and their mouth crave for these apple smiles.  Slice your apple into something that is thick enough for some marshmallows to hold in between them.  Make it look like you are making an apple sandwich with these apple slices as your bread and your marshmallows as your spread. You may also put some peanut butter on one side of the sliced-apple so your kids will have a dash of protein just perfect for their after school snack.