When the kids get home from school and are craving an after-school snack, it’s tempting to just open a bag of chips or let them nibble on sugary sweets. These healthy snacks are a great way to keep your kids satisfied on a short notice.
This is one of those classic kids’ recipes your parents probably made for you growing up. In its most basic form, ants on a log is celery cut into 4” pieces, with either peanut butter or cream cheese spread over them, and a line of raisins on top for ants. It’s a tasty and healthy recipe with a lot of room for variation and customization. You can use almond butter, yogurt, hummus, or just about anything else as a spread. Try swapping the raisins with dried cranberries for something a bit tarter, or use nuts for extra crunch.
A simple, microwave-“baked” potato can make for a great side or a wonderful snack. Poke a few holes in a washed and dried potato, and microwave it on high for about 5 minutes. Top it with salt, pepper, cheese, broccoli, or anything else you have around. This is a great snack because it does not involve any sharp knives or open flames; even young kids can make it themselves.
Banana pops are a wonderful snack because they are easy to make, healthy, and last a long time. Mix granola with yogurt as your base. Add dried fruits, chocolate chips, nuts – feel free to get creative with your additions. Once you’ve combined the yogurt and other ingredients, take a fully peeled banana and roll it around in your mix, coating the banana. Slide the banana onto a popsicle stick and store in the freezer. This versatile food can be a snack, breakfast, and even a dessert – plus it will last in your freezer for weeks!
A simple, microwave-“baked” potato can make for a great side or a wonderful snack. Poke a few holes in a washed and dried potato, and microwave it on high for about 5 minutes. Top it with salt, pepper, cheese, broccoli, or anything else you have around. This is a great snack because it does not involve any sharp knives or open flames; even young kids can make it themselves.
Popcorn can be a healthy snack, but many store-bought varieties come loaded with salt, fat and artificial flavoring agents, leaving them no healthier than other processed snacks. Start with plain popcorn – buy whole kernels and cook according to package directions – and add your own flavors. Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, pepper, and rosemary all make for tasty seasonings. You’ll soon find that you and your kids can produce popcorn that’s cheaper, healthier, and tastier than store-bought brands.
Edamame (young soybeans still in their pods) is a ubiquitous snack in Asia. They are a little salty and extremely fun to eat, making them hard to resist – even to kids who claim they don’t like veggies. If you buy Edamame frozen, all your youngster needs to do is open the bag and microwave for the right amount time. Just make sure they know to wait a few minutes after microwaving, as the edamame will be hot.
