Mom-Approved After-School Snack Ideas for Kids

By Carmen Staicer - Chief Mom at DietsInReview.com

The book bags have been bought, everyone has new sneakers and fresh haircuts, and bedtimes have been rolled back. What time is it? Why, it's back to school time! The most wonderful time of the year!

OK, so maybe that's an understatement for the kiddos, but most parents I know look forward to the return of the school year with a mixture of excitement and dread. Excitement because the kids are back in school, and dread because the return to school brings with it a large concern: what will those kids eat? School lunches are fairly easy, but the after-school snacks create quite a dilemma for many parents. It's easy to toss a sleeve of cookies or a bag of chips in their general direction, but many school-aged children are in need of a substantial snack to fill in the cracks and refuel them for after-school sports.

Second to breakfast, after-school snacks can be one of the most important parts of a child's nutrition routine. What your child eats during that 3-5 window can help keep them in balance nutritionally. It's a tough line, though. It's important that the after-school snacks not interfere with dinner and yet still be ample enough to hold their tummies until meal time. What's a mom to do? Check out some of these delicious options to add to your families snack rotation!

Cheese Stick and Apple Slices - Available mozzarella, cheddar or twisted, string cheese is a fun and delicious treat that is low in fat and high in protein. Paired with an apple or pear, this snack is fiber full and will help to power your child through a dance class or heavy homework load.

Hummus with Whole Wheat Pita Chips - Kids love to dip, and hummus is a high protein choice with a ton of flavor. Take the opportunity on the weekend to cut pita bread into wedges and bake them for chips, and whip up a batch of hummus to have for the week ahead. Scooping the hummus with the chips means it takes a bit longer to eat, which fills the kids faster.

Trail Mix - Everyone loves trail mix, but it can be very high in fat and commercially prepared options are often full of sugary treats. My mom used to take a very large sealed bowl and fill it with different kinds of cereals that were both high in fiber and low in sugar. She'd put nuts, dried fruit (cranberries, banana chips, dried apple rings), and air-popped popcorn into the bowl and shake well. One caveat: we weren't allowed to pick, but we had to eat everything that we picked. It was a great way to get fiber and a delicious treat.

Cheese Quesadilla - Place a whole wheat tortilla in a non-stick pan and top it with low-fat cheddar cheese. Place a second tortilla on top and heat until the cheese has melted. Flip over and remove from heat when browned. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, a great flavorful serving of veggies, or Wholly Guacamole, made with real Haas avocados, a source of healthy fats.

Laughing Cow Cheese with Whole Grain Crackers - Offered in creamy Swiss, Queso Fresco, Sun Dried Tomato and Basil, Garlic and Herb, and Plain, there is a flavor of Laughing Cow Cheese to please everyone. Two triangles with a handful of whole grain crackers are surprisingly filling and fun to eat as well.

Half of a Peanut Butter Sandwich with a Banana - Never underestimate the simple and ordinary peanut butter sandwich. Natural peanut butter spread on whole wheat bread and topped with all-fruit jelly, served with a banana and a glass of milk, covers all of the bases for protein, fiber and is low in sugar and fat. A different, yet equally delicious alternative is peanut butter topped with sliced bananas and drizzled with honey.

Clif or Kashi Energy Bar - If you've just got to be at a class or practice and you don't have time to prepare something, grab a Clif or Kashi bar. There are tons of different flavors and something to fit every set of taste buds.

Kashi Waffle with Almond Butter - Toast a waffle and spread it with almond butter, a delicious and nutritious peanut butter alternative. Cut into strips for a fun treat that is high in fiber and protein. Top with a few mini chocolate chips for a treat that tastes more decadent than it actually is.

What are some of your favorite after school treats that are low in sugar, taste amazing, and are good for the kids?

Learn more about preparing for back to school!

8 Ways to Avoid the Lunch Box Sandwich Rut

4 Healthy Eating Tips for College Freshmen

Lunch Box Swaps that are Good for Your Kids


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