After-school snacks are important for growing kids. Because your kiddos have likely not eaten since lunch time, it's definitely time to refuel—especially if they on their way to an activity. If you are running out of creative and healthy ideas for after-school snacks, here are some tasty and easy options to try with your kids.
1. Easy Salsa Tortilla Pizzas: Take small whole-wheat tortilla shells and spread salsa and grated cheddar cheese on top. Place on a foil wrapped baking tray and into the toaster oven until edges are brown and cheese in melted. Serve in quarters on their own OR with low fat sour cream or guacamole as a dip.
2. Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie: For 1 serving: In a blender, blend 1 cup milk or soy milk, 1/4 cup vanilla or banana-flavoured yogurt, 1.5 tbsp of natural peanut butter and 1 medium sized banana. Use a frozen banana for a colder version.
3. Mini Apple and Cheese Melts: Top whole grain crackers with apple slices and your favorite cheese. Place on a broiler safe (or toaster oven safe) baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Cheese and Fruit Kabobs: Wash and cut your kids' favorite fruits into bite-sized pieces (i.e., strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple etc.). Cut cheddar or mozzarella cheese into medium-sized cubes. Alternating fruit, stick onto skewer with a cube of cheese on either end of skewer.
5. Whole Grain Tuna Fish Sushi Rolls: In a small bowl, combine one can of light flaked tuna (in water) with 1 tbsp of mayo. Spread a thin layer of light cream cheese on 3-4 pieces of whole grain bread (with crusts off). Divide tuna mixture onto each slice of bread, spreading a thin layer on top of cream cheese. Lay thinly sliced carrot and cucumber sticks on top of the tuna layer, in the middle of the piece of bread and roll bread up like you would roll sushi or a wrap. Cut into bite sized pieces and serve.
6. Frozen Fruit and Greek Yogurt Salad: Choose your kids favorite fruits (I use bananas, grapes, blueberries). Peel and slice a banana width-wise into half an inch thick pieces and place them, along with grapes and blueberries, on a rimmed parchment-paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Transfer into freezer for at least one hour. Dish out 1/2-3/4 cup Greek yogurt into small bowls and top with frozen fruit.
7. Pear and Almond Butter Wraps: Spread almond butter (or any other kind of nut or seed butter) onto a whole grain soft tortilla shell. Wash, dry and slice a pear into thin slices and place slices in the middle of the tortilla. Wrap the tortilla up, cut the wrap into bite sized pieces width-wise and serve!
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