Best Snacks After School
When he returns from school with a grumpy stomach, the child needs a tasty and healthy snack. Keep reading to see what are the best after-school snacks to eat.
Sometimes it would be easier to resort to fast food that takes a child’s hunger off quickly and is an easy option for busy parents. However, there are numerous easy and quick to prepare snack options that kids will love.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy snack. A balanced diet is key to a child’s health and growth. An after-school snack gives the child the right amount of energy so that he or she can do his or her homework, play and hobby.
A long day at school can be tiring both physically and mentally, and enjoying a snack after returning home is a great way to raise energy levels, in addition to helping your child endure until dinner.
Why is it important for a child to eat snacks?
- Growth: A child grows and develops and thus needs energy and the right nutrients.
- Digestion: A child’s body cannot survive for long periods without food. Children should eat small portions often.
- Weight Management: By eating regularly, a child is not so hungry that he eats himself into a frenzy at dinner. Thus, the best snacks also help maintain a proper weight.
- Energy: Children are physically and mentally active. The child spends all day at school, running from place to place and exercising his brain. It’s understandable that a child needs food to recharge their batteries and to be able to follow their hectic daily routine.
Children’s snack rules
- Keep an eye on the time. If a child takes a snack to school, it should be eaten during the break. After school, the child needs to get an afternoon snack to enjoy.
- Observe the amount of food your child is eating. The snack is meant to be a light and smaller dose to help the child cope with the next big meal. Excessive or frequently eaten snacks disrupt the normal eating routine.
- Avoid added sugar and dyes and preservatives. Store shelves are full of convenient ready-made snack options, but it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients and nutrient content of the products. Many foods contain unnecessary ingredients that are not good for a child to eat on a daily basis.
- Make sure the snacks contain foods from all food groups. Every snack does not have to contain carbohydrates, protein, fruits and dairy products, but the child should eat all of these foods during the day.
- Remember water. Make sure the child stays hydrated.
The best snacks for kids
It’s good to start with these snack ideas, but don’t be afraid to use your imagination to find the best snacks just for your child. Ask your child for tips and wishes too, and together you can create new, delicious and healthy snacks.
- Sandwiches: Sandwiches are a classic snack. Decide the size of the breads according to the age and activity of the child. Cold meats, such as ham, are a good, protein-rich option. You can also occasionally offer sweet sandwiches, such as those filled with nut butter. A child gets plenty of energy from such a snack and is sure to love the sweet snack.
- Fruit Juice Ice : Prepare fruit puree, pour it into juice ice molds and freeze the mixture. This is the perfect healthy snack for hot summer days that is easy to prepare in advance.
- Yogurt: As a dairy product, yogurt provides the child with calcium and protein. Mix yogurt with fruits, muesli and nuts, for example. Choose natural yogurt or at least a version with little added sugar.
- Smoothies: Prepare a seasonal fruit smoothie that your child will love. You can moisten the smoothie with a drop of milk from which your child gets protein. Unsalted nuts, for example, can also be added to the smoothies.
- A glass of milk and a piece of self-baked cake: When it comes to pastries, self-made is always the best option. This way you can be sure of what ingredients the product contains and how much. A slice of homemade cake is an excellent treat for both children and adults.
Don’t worry, even if you don’t have time to prepare a healthy snack every day from the start. The occasional use of finished or semi-finished products does no harm to anyone. The basis of a healthy diet is balance, and the occasional treat is not bad.
