Power packed snacks for active kids

Are your kids busy all afternoon with after school activities? If so, get the recipe to power them up with healthy snacks.

Are your kids busy from morning until night with afternoons filled with athletics, dance, 4-H or other afterschool activities? When your family is short on time, healthy after school snacks can easily be replaced with drive-through or convenience foods.  With a bit of preplanning, you can fuel your child with healthy choices and enjoy the added benefit of saving money!

Your children need snacks that provide them with fuel to perform at their peak.  Foods high in sugar, salt or fat may cause them to crash.  Active children need to have nutrient dense foods that provide them with sustainable energy that will help them to maintain their busy pace.  Nutrient dense foods are those rich in nutrients without being high in calories.  Nutrient dense foods include those low in sugar and fat while being high in fiber and vitamins.  Michigan State University Extension recommends choosing nutrient dense snacks that contain foods from two of the five food groups shown on MyPlate.  Enlist your child’s creativity to help create and plan for their snacks.  Take the time to help teach them about healthy snacks and the need to fuel their body for energy.  Try these snack combinations and see how they power up your family!

  • Cheese stick and whole grain crackers
  • Piece of fruit with low-fat yogurt
  • Trail mix including dried fruit, nuts, pretzels and popcorn
  • Carrots and hummus
  • Peanut butter on whole wheat bread
  • Whole grain pita stuffed with lunch meat and veggies
  • Celery and peanut butter
  • Apple slices with peanut butter
  • Smoothie blended with fruit and yogurt

With a bit of preplanning, snacks can be a breeze!  Pack snacks the night before to save money from purchasing high priced convenience foods.  Your child’s positive attitude and strong athletic performance will be their reward by powering up with healthy snacks.

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