Last updated on August 22nd, 2022 at 10:13 pm
Now that we’ve got the food storage covered, I think, don’t we? I struggle with getting the kids to eat healthy after-school snacks. My younger son is good about eating fruit and veggies, but my older son now tells me he “doesn’t like” everything that isn’t junk food. I limit what they get that is not healthy (I’m not a total buzz kill) but convincing an almost 7-year-old that they need to eat more healthy things is not always easy. Creativity comes into play, and I often rely on my awesome smoothie-making skills to sneak some kale or spinach into them. But I think teaching kids about eating healthy is important too – instead of just tricking them.
I do a shopping and prep day on Sunday to set up for the week.
List Of Our Favorite After-School Snacks
- Frozen pancakes: My kids eat them right out of the freezer. I think this is weird, but they have always done it. So I make batches of healthy pancakes by adding ground flax meal, bananas, and chia seeds, and yum them up with vanilla and cinnamon. I make them small, and they snack on them when hungry. This works out well because they don’t need the delicious syrup but just added sugar.
- Cheese and fruit: We cut up low-fat cheese and keep it in the fridge or snacking. Paired with a sliced apple or some berries, this ties them over until dinner. Some days almond butter makes an appearance instead of cheese.
- Smoothies: I purchased a Blendtec blender in June, and it’s my house’s most used and loved appliance. I blend fruit, almond milk, and greek yogurt, sneaking in something like chia seeds, walnuts, or spinach, and you’ve got a power-packed snack.
- Apple Sandwich: our reader Trina suggests, “An apple sandwich. Remove the core, cut the apple into bagel-like slices, and put on peanut butter, honey, brie or goat cheese, nut/chocolate spread, or whatever they like and sprinkle with sesame or pumpkin seeds.” – Love this idea because the kids will think it’s fun and it’s not a ton of work.
- Eating Dinner After School: our reader Lisa says, “I’ve had dinner ready at 3:30! Especially if it is in the crock pot. Snacks later on in the evening.” This is brilliant if you don’t need to wait for your significant other to get home for dinner. You might as well just feed them a healthy meal when they get home while hungry. You might get more healthy food in them this way anyway!
Another Safemama suggested:
“I have a snack menu posted in the kitchen with ideas in 3 categories: fruit/veggies, protein, and treats (which is mostly carb stuff but also fruit popsicles, popcorn, granola, etc.) They can pick 1 item from each category. Works great for us. They have freedom of choice/control over what they eat, but it also teaches them about healthy choices and balance.” Kelly W
Websites for good snack ideas:
Weelicious – Recommended by Cheryl on Facebook – recipes for first foods to school lunches in one tidy food resource
100 Days Of Real Food – Offers explanations on why processed food is not the best option and how to eat a cleaner diet without being a total bore. Her Recipes and Resource section are fantastic.
