There are may different types of healthy after school snacks that kids can enjoy, and which are not loaded with fat and sugar. Healthy after school snacks will also help to keep kids' energy levels up, and may help to prevent mood swings or other issues that often happen when kids are tired after school. Generally, fruits and vegetables make excellent snacks, as well as protein such as peanut butter, hummus, or hard boiled eggs. Prepackaged options such as granola bars can be good snacks as well, but these can be high in sugar so it is important to read labels control portion sizes.
Foods high in protein make excellent healthy after school snacks, because they help to boost energy. Peanut butter is a common choice, as well as whole grain crackers or carrot sticks dipped in hummus. If kids don't like hummus, then yogurt, cottage cheese, or string cheese can make good snacks as well. Trail mix or granola bars can also be enjoyable treats that include whole grains and dried fruit, but store versions are often very sugary. Searching online will display many recipes for trail mix or granola bars that can be made at home, and that way parents can better control what their kids are eating.
Different types of fruit make healthy after school snacks as well, and are often very easy to eat on the go. Mixing a bunch of different fruits to create a fruit salad can be more interesting, topped with a bit of yogurt for protein. A fruit smoothie, where the fruit is blended with yogurt and ice, is another tasty option that is easy to enjoy on the go. Nuts such as almonds or peanuts can make healthy after school snacks as well, but caregivers should only ever give nuts to children if they are sure they do not suffer from any type of related allergy; this is true for certain types of fruit as well, such as strawberries.
Potato chips by themselves are not very healthy after school snacks, but whole grain tortilla chips dipped in salsa are a healthier alternative. Pretzels or whole grain crackers are another healthier option. Rice cakes or half a bagel spread with cream cheese or peanut butter is another good, filling choice. If kids will eat them, hard boiled eggs can make a good snack as well. It is not difficult to find healthy options for after school snacks, it just requires a little creativity.
