Having healthy food selections available at home can provide a child's first opportunity to customize his own signature snack, whether it's adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to a bowl of popcorn or topping a cracker with cottage cheese and a cherry tomato. Either way, the snack is his creation, and this helps to build your child's self-esteem, allowing him to become confident and comfortable in the kitchen.
With a bit of planning and food preparation (such as slicing cheese or chopping raw vegetables and fruit) on your part, you can be assured your child is alleviating those after-school hunger pangs with nosh that's both nutritious and creative.
Simple blender recipe
Here's a terrific idea for a non-fattening milkshake you can feel good about. In a blender, combine one part vanilla-flavoured almond milk or milk with one part tropical fruit juice, such as orange-mango or pineapple. Toss in a small handful of frozen berries or frozen banana slices and blend until smooth.
Fun and easy Ants on a Log
How about "Ants on a Log"? Fill celery sticks with peanut or almond butter and place a few raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries on top as "ants." Or cut an apple into slices and spread with a little peanut butter or almond butter, then sprinkle with raisins.
Banana split snack
Shhh… don't tell the kids this banana split is good for them! Slice a banana into a bowl and top with fruit yogurt or frozen yogurt, then add sliced strawberries or a spoonful of sugar-reduced strawberry fruit spread. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
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