As a parent, we all know that our top priority is safeguarding our child's health (mental, emotional and physical). We work tirelessly to nurture them, not only their spirit through our love, knowledge, and guidance, but also to nurture by nourishing them with the healthiest foods possible. When you've got picky eaters in your household, it can sometimes become a true challenge as to how to get them fed in a healthy yet realistic way. While plating a dinner in a fun and enticing way isn't always feasible for sit-down meals, it is a little more doable for snacks. Let's take a look at some easy after-school snacks that your kids will actually be excited to eat! After all, it's up to us to teach our children the importance of eating a balanced diet.
Ants On a Log
It's been around for decades for a good reason, but just like some things fall out of fashion, maybe this has too. If you haven't heard of "Ants On a Log," it's simple to make, and kids enjoy being the hungry caterpillar of the game. Simply cut some celery sticks (logs) into pieces around four inches long, line with fresh ground peanut butter, and place sweet raisins (ants) on top of the peanut butter. If you're serving more than one or two kids this snack, make it a competition and see who can eat the most!
Foraging a Forest
When it comes to kids, one thing they're always excited about is things with a sense of wonder and magic. Try incorporating that into something as simple as a veggie platter. Cauliflower florets? They're now Unicorn Flowers. Broccoli becomes tiny trees, and your child becomes the giant that has to eat all the trees. You can get as creative as you like with this. The same tactics can be used at dinner time, with beans being magical or "funny" beans. Would you mind doing what you need to do to get your children engaged with what they're eating?
Involved in Innovation
Speaking of engagement - if you have the time and patience, getting your children involved in the snack and all meal prep is a super-effective way to get them to eat the food you want them to. Innovative snacks that children can quickly whip up with you that are simultaneously healthy are things like yogurt cups and smoothies. You can set out the bowls of ingredients - healthy greek yogurts, fresh chopped berries, granola - and let your children layer their ingredients in their own cups. Not only does this bud a chef, but perhaps a little artist as well! If the children are old enough, you can let them help you chop the fruits and veggies that will go into their smoothies. However, you can get them involved in the process, do so. Take things a step further and explain the nutrients and benefits of each food ingredient. Children love learning, and you'd be surprised how engaged they become when you talk to them about healthy choices.
Charcuterie
Why should adults get to have all the fun? Unless you've been entirely off social media (no judgment!) for the last few years, charcuterie boards are having a major moment. People are going all out, and it's even a genre on TikTok and Instagram. Create these fun boards with healthy options that you know your kids will love. The sheer smorgasbord of possibilities makes them excited to dig in, and they won't even care about the fact it's all good for them! After school, charcuterie ideas are things like - fresh-cut apples, bananas, a small bowl of berries, some healthy cheese slices, and of course, crackers. Voila!
Easy Does It
We can't round out the list without some things that you can employ when you're just simply pressed for time - which as parents - is all too often. Here are some ideas for when you want to pack maximum health benefits with minimum prep time. Crispy Chickpeas, Homemade Trail Mix (pretzels, nuts, raisins), hummus and crackers (hummus is a superfood), gluten-free bars, and last but not least, popcorn! Popcorn is actually a really healthy snack, especially if you skip the tons of salt and added butter.
The takeaway should be that as we learn from the time we bring our babies home from the hospital, fed is best. But, it's up to us to nourish their growing brains and bodies as best as we can. So, hopefully, you found some inspiration from this article to make after-school snack times more manageable and more fun. Good luck!
