Once your child comes home from school, they are ready to eat everything in sight. After a full day of learning, moving, and having fun, it’s completely normal for kids to feel hungry the moment they walk through the front door. Most school lunches happen early, so by the end of the day, it has been hours since their last meal. Add in limited time to eat, small portions, and picky appetites, and it’s no wonder they come home starving!
What are some Healthy After School Snack Ideas for Growing Kids?
Rather than letting them reach for snacks that are not the healthiest, having ready-to-go snacks is the best strategy. We’ve put together a few snack options to keep in your fridge or to send with them to have on the bus ride back home.
High-Protein Snack
Egg wraps are a great way to get a good amount of protein. Each egg contains approximately 6 grams of protein. Combine it with a slice of deli meat, such as ham, and a slice of cheddar cheese, and you have a total of about 18-20 grams of protein! Fry a scrambled egg on a griddle, lay a slice of ham, and sprinkle some cheese. Once cooked, transfer to a plate to roll the layers into themselves to make a flute-like egg omelette. This easy-to-make snack will work for any part of the day.
Brain Food Snack
We’ve known that berries and walnuts are great for brain health, but have you considered serving tuna for brain health? Tuna is rich in DHA, a type of omega-3 fat that plays a key role in brain development and function. It’s easy to mix into kid-friendly snacks like tuna salad with whole-grain crackers or a tuna melt. Make sure to look for the “mercury tested” label!
After-Sports Practice Snack
After running, jumping, and giving it their all at sports practice, kids need the right fuel to recharge. A smoothie is a quick, delicious, and nutritious way to do just that. The smoothie recipe below offers anti-inflammatory power from blueberries, carbohydrates from milk, and protein from peanut butter, as well as the milk. Feel free to add extra ingredients!
- 1 ½ cups of frozen blueberries
- 1 cup of milk of choice
- 5 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 12 ice cubes
- ¾ cup of water
- Honey to sweeten
Snack for the Munchies
Popcorn is an easy fix when your toddlers or teens just want to munch on something. There are so many ways to season or dress up this snack, from adding a cheesy seasoning to drizzling some dark chocolate mixed with dried strawberries. It is a healthy whole grain option, offering a good amount of fiber and low in calories. Skip the microwave bag and pop ¼ cup of kernels on the stovetop with the help of a tablespoon of avocado oil.
Snack for Growing Bones
Cottage cheese may be simple, but it is the perfect snack for kids with growing bones. It is rich in calcium and phosphorus, which work together to build strong bones, and just half a cup provides 13-14 grams of protein. It checks all the boxes! You can blend it into a dip or use it to make muffins for those ever-hungry children.
These healthy after school snacks can help your children focus when it’s time for homework, prevent overeating during dinner time, or help them heal from an injury. If your child is active or participating in physical therapy, a healthy snack can help them show up energized and ready to move.
Written by Vanessa Delgado, B.S. in Human Nutrition and Foods