Your kids come rushing in the door after school, starving and immediately want to ransack the pantry. Here are 5 healthy after-school snack options that will satisfy their hunger and get them through that long afternoon wait until dinnertime.
Veggies and Dip
Hummus with some veggies is a great snack to get your kids through the afternoon. Packed with vitamins and minerals, the main ingredient of garbanzo beans is high in protein and dietary fiber. Pair the hummus with carrot sticks, celery, jicama, pita chips, peppers, or sugar snap peas for an after-school snack that's sure to please. Guacamole, tzatziki, or yogurt-based dips would also be delicious options.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a versatile snack option that is packed full of nutrients and is an easy way to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your child's diet. Drinking a smoothie every day will boost your immune system and promote healthy digestion. A peanut butter banana smoothie is a great way to get your kids to eat spinach without them even tasting it!
Homemade Trail Mix
Creating your own healthy trail mix is a fun way to have a sweet and salty snack that will give you a sustained energy boost. Great ingredients to include are cashews, almonds, pistachios, dried fruits, pretzels, granola, cereal, and dark chocolate. Here is one delicious option!
Snack Charcuterie Board
Kids love to have choices, so make an after-school snack charcuterie board. Build a board with crackers and different cheeses, fruits like grapes and strawberries, sliced sandwich meats, popcorn, and nuts that will be a hit with kids of all ages.
No-Bake Energy Bites
Energy bites are easy to make with ingredients you already have in your pantry and they pack an energy punch that will tide your kids over until dinnertime. The best part is that they require no baking and very little prep work, and they taste great! There are a lot of variations to how you can make these, so play around with recipes and find one that your family will love. Try this easy recipe to get you started.
Spare your pantry from being turned upside down by having one of these easy after-school snacks already out and waiting for your kids as soon as they get home. You'll feel good knowing that you've provided a nutritional snack, and they'll be able to take on the afternoon with renewed energy.
