Walking in Beauty Daisy Arsenault, RD

Walking in Beauty Healthy Snacks for After School

Having a planned healthy snack for after school is a great idea to keep your kiddo healthy and strong. Many kids are on the run to an afterschool practice and need the good nutrition.

What is Considered a Healthy Snack?

Providing a snack that is full of vitamins and minerals and within a good calorie count is what you should be aiming for. Planning ahead and packing these with you in the car is a good way to save time and money.

Here are a few ideas:

• Easy Scrambled Egg: Toast a slice of whole-grain bread. Scramble an egg. Layer in a heatproof sundae glass with chunky salsa. • Dip with Veggies: Try a new flavor of hummus, red pepper, garlic or even the traditional. Serve with whole-grain bread, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes. • Burger on the go: Cook a veggie or turkey burger. Serve with cherry tomatoes and whole-grain bun. Add ketchup or mustard. • Smoothie: Blend one cup frozen fruit of choice with ½ cup each vanilla yogurt and 100% fruit juice of choice and add granola at the top. Serve in a to-go cup. • Quesadilla: Spread a mixture of ¼ cup low-fat cream cheese and 2 tablespoons salsa onto a whole-wheat tortilla. Add lettuce or black beans.

When sending kids to school with an after-school snack when a refrigerator isn’t available, pack nourishing, shelf-stable foods, such as:

Whole-wheat cereal, trail mix, energy bars, granola bars, whole-wheat bagels, popcorn.

Carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers.

Grapes, applesauce, bananas, apples, oranges, plums, dried fruit. Daisy Arsenault Registered Dietitian