After School Snack Ideas

The lunch period at schools seems to get shorter and shorter. Most of the time my kids come home with a good bit of their lunch still in their lunch boxes because, as Logan says, they “talked too much” during lunch.

It is no surprise that one of the first things they say when they get home from school is how starving they are. Of course I remind them that they’re far from actually starving, but I can understand how hungry they might feel after a long day at school and hardly any food in their stomachs.

It usually takes a month or so of getting into the school routine and re-learning how to eat and talk at the same time before they start eating more at lunchtime.  But until then, they’ll be asking for a snack the second they walk in the door.

From my perspective, the problem with that is dinner is a mere 2 hours away by the time we’ve arrived home and put all of our backpacks, shoes, and other things away. I need to satisfy their immediate hunger, but not spoil the important meal that is soon to be served.

For the most part, we follow the “fruits or vegetables” rule in between meals for snacks. And that is fine when they’re home during the day and I know they’ve eaten a good lunch, but we have to get a little more creative when tummies are so empty.

The key is finding a healthy after school snack that won’t spoil dinner (try to stay away from prepackaged items or anything with a lot of sugar) and teaching kids about portion control. An after school snack doesn’t need to be a meal, just a little something to tide one over until dinner.

After School Snack Ideas

Dips are great options because there are many options that can be nutrient rich. Serve any of these with your preference of Baked Tortilla Chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables.

• Avocado Peach Salsa
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Tzatziki Greek Cucumber Yogurt Dip
• Black Bean Salsa
• Guacamole 

Sometimes you need a little something sweet to eat. That can be healthy too! Madeline likes really thick smoothies. The kid that are so thick they’re practically like sorbet. She calls it ice cream, but it is really just pureed fruit with a little liquid (water, almond milk, orange or pomegranate juice).

photo by Allison of Some the Wiser

• Chocolate Dipped Nuts
• Raspberry Orange Smoothie
• Chocolate Banana Pops
• Coconut, Kiwi and Pineapple Smoothie
• Pomegranate, Raspberry, and Nectarine Popsicles

Craving Carbs? Sometimes all my kids want are carbs. So as not to spoil dinner, think: small portions. I also try to offer items that are either packed with nutrients or are very light on the stomach.