Banishing Snack Boredom

[#1]

My neighbor Therese was tired of her kids coming home from school and complaining that there was “nothing good” to snack on. Being the über-organized mom that she is, Therese developed a set of “snack cards” – kid-approved healthy snack ideas listed on individual index cards (she even added photos and laminated them!). I’m nowhere near Therese in terms of organization, but I love the idea of getting kids involved in planning and choosing healthy afterschool snacks. Therese keeps all of the snack ingredients on hand and always shops at our stores for them, where she gets good prices, a wide selection and SimpleNutrition tags to help her find the most nutritious options. Life is good again at Therese’s house: her kids love playing the “snack game” each afternoon and complaints are now a thing of the past! Here’s a list of her kids’ favorites (along with some of mine):

• Whole-grain waffle spread with almond butter and topped with banana slices  
• English muffin pizza: spread tomato sauce on whole-wheat English muffin halves, top with part-skim mozzarella cheese and broil
• Fruit smoothie:  blend together frozen fruit with a banana, a dollop of low-fat yogurt and a splash of orange juice
• Apple slices with dip (made from low-fat vanilla yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon)
• Trail mix
• Whole-grain flatbread spread with peanut butter and strawberry jam, sprinkled with banana or strawberry slices and granola, rolled up and cut into pinwheels
• String cheese stick with a side of grapes or apple slices
• Whole-wheat tortilla spread with bean dip and topped with shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• Almonds mixed with dried cherries and chocolate chips
• Popcorn sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, chili powder and a dash of cayenne
• Hummus and cut-up veggies
• Yogurt parfait:  low-fat yogurt layered with granola and fresh or frozen fruit
• Choco-nutty banana

What are your kids’ favorite after-school snacks?

[#2]

Most of these do look like they are healthy. Thanks!

[#3]

You're welcome, Theo! What are some of your tips for banishing snack boredom?

~Kerry