- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- recipes today articles
- recipes today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
After-school Snacks
9 Fun Snacks That Help Fill Nutritional Gaps
When children come home from school, they are very hungry. What are some suggestions on healthy snacks that will tide them over until dinner, but not ruin their appetites?
"Kids make a beeline from the bus to the kitchen after school," says Jyl Steinback, "America's Healthiest Mom," personal trainer, health expert and author of many cookbooks including Superfoods: Cook Your Way to Health (QVC, 2001). "Having prepared healthy snacks at eye level in the pantry, refrigerator and freezer will not only capture their attention, but their stomachs."
Kids want "kid foods" – the fun, convenient stuff that is generally loaded with sugar and fat, so it's our job to provide healthier choices that are still "fun," Steinback says. "Base snack foods on balance and moderation, selecting a variety of foods from the different food groups. Avoid labeling foods as 'good' or 'bad' – this only makes the untouchables more desirable. Use snacks to fill nutritional gaps. While children are eating extra calories, many fall short on meeting their nutritional needs for essential vitamins and minerals."
Here are a few fun ideas for after-school snacks that won't spoil appetites and will fill nutritional gaps: