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"Mom, Can I Have A Snack?"
By Donna Smith
Pretzels sticks are another good choice. Take the peanut-butter-filled celery sticks mentioned above, and have the kids add pretzel "legs" to them. Pretzels are also great dipped in mustard, or just eaten right out of the bag. Serving a vegetable or yogurt dip? Serve it along with pretzel sticks instead of greasy potato chips for a healthier snack.
Fruit is always a great snack choice, but how can you keep fruit fun so the kids will want to eat it? Make Fruit Parfaits! Have your kids cut fruits like peaches, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, apples, pears and bananas into bite-size chunks. In a tall dessert glass, have them layer the fruits, then top each with a sprinkling of blueberries or nuts. This will make a very pretty fruit snack they'll be excited to eat.
Salsa is a great snack option. Many jarred salsas are very mild, and have a great flavor kids love. Serve salsa along with baked tortilla chips, or even with sliced vegetables. For a change of pace, have your kids put a block of fat-free cream cheese on a serving plate, then pour salsa over the top. Put tortilla chips around the outside of the plate and serve.
Kids learn their eating habits from their parents. It only makes sense that if you eat healthy, your kids are more likely to do the same. So, don't offer your kids that bowl of carrot sticks while you're standing there eating a chocolate-caramel candy bar! Set a good example for your kids and eat healthy snacks with them. This will not only benefit their health, but yours as well.
Before you know it, school will be in session again. Get your kids eating the right stuff now, and maybe when they're standing in that cafeteria line, they'll choose the "fresh fruit choice" over the "ice cream sandwich." Well, maybe.