Take the work out of feeding the kids each afternoon with these quick and healthy ideas suitable for preschoolers on up! Adjust the portion sizes as needed for your child (Nutrition will vary based on the snack idea you choose.)
1slicewhole grain bread, 1 tablespoon jam, 1/2 cup fruit
YOGURT WITH FRUIT PUREE
1/2cupwhole milk plain yogurt, 1/4 cup fruit puree
YOGURT WITH APPLESAUCE
1/2cupwhole milk plain yogurt, 1/4 cup applesauce
YOGURT SMOOTHIE
1cupwhole milk plain yogurt blended with 1 cup frozen fruit (like bananas, cherries, mango, or berries)
TOMATOES AND COTTAGE CHEESE
1/4cupcherry tomatoes (halved if needed) and 1/4-1/2 cup cottage cheese
COTTAGE CHEESE, GRANOLA, AND DICED PINEAPPLE
1/4cupcottage cheese, 2 tablespoons granola, 1/4 cup diced pineapple
TOMATOES, GUACAMOLE, VEGGIE STRAWS
1/4cupcherry tomatoes (diced if needed), 2 tablespoons guacamole, 1/2 cup Veggie Straws
CEREAL BAR AND BANANA
1Cereal Bar, 1 small banana
CEREAL BAR AND MILK
1Cereal Bar, 1/2-1 cup milk
GRANOLA BAR AND BERRIES
1Granola bar, 1/2 cup berries
GRANOLA BAR AND MILK
Granola bar, 1/2-1 cup milk
SNACK BAR AND DRINKABLE YOGURT
1snack bar, 1/2-1 cup drinkable yogurt
MUFFIN WITH MILK OR FRUIT
1muffin, 1/2 cup fruit (or one piece)
Instructions
Serve foods on a plate or in a bowl at home or packed in a thermos or lunch bag.
Allow more food according to the child's appetite.
Notes
Aim to serve 2-3 food groups in each snack to help them satisfy, but don't stress if the kids don't always eat everything (because they won't). We don't have to force balance.
Pack any of these to send to eat between activities. Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack if needed.
A reusable pouch can be helpful for smoothies and yogurt.
Consider snacks mini meals and don't stress if the kids eat more afternoon snack than dinner—it's very normal for kids to be hungrier at snack time!