Kid-Friendly Healthy Snacks for School

So many little kids look forward to school. They see older silblings, cousins, and friends go to school so they think it must be a wonderful place. But many parents see the beginning of school as a challenge to maintain their children's healthy eating habits. More and more parents are conscious of preparing lunches that are high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol and that their kids will like to eat. However, when it comes to snacks, parents either have to look at very sugary treats such as fruit roll-ups which are processed and not healthy at all. If the want healthy options they are faced with sliced vegetables which kids won't always eat or fruit which is not filling. In addition, parents want to be able to provide a healthy snack that won't take up too much time to prepare.

Below are some healthy snacks that are filling, low in sugar and cholesterol, and best of all, easy to make. Your children will love to take these tasty treats to school and don't be surprised if they suddenly become so popular that they ask you to make more to take with them to school. Be prepared to give your child's friends mothers these tasty recipes!

Healthy Peanut Butter & Jelly Crescent

Take one half of a Thomas' Light English Muffin, which is filled with hearty whole grains, fiber, and protein. Spread one tablespoon of peanut butter. Spread one teaspoon of a sugar-free jelly (many brands such as Polaner have them) on the remaining half of the english muffin, then cut the sandwich in half . Peanut butter is monounsaturated fat that lowers cholesterol, so it's healthy for kids to eat and kids always love peanut butter and jelly.

Healthy Pretzel Mix

Take some whole-wheat mini-pretzels, add in some wheat Chex, put in a dash of Craisins and raisins, mix in a few chocolate chips and you've got a very healthy snack mix that's filling, high in protein, and has a sweet, salty and tart crunchy taste that kids love.

Healthy Chocolate Pudding Surprise

Make a low-fat chocolate pudding, Jello has them. Mix in one cup of fresh strawberries, diced. Top with whipped cream. By the time your child opens the snack, everything will be a swirl. The strawberries provide fiber and the chocolate pudding provides calcium and the treat tastes so good that your child will clamor for more.

Healthy Apple Chips

Preheat your oven 250 degrees. Line two baking sheet with parchment paper. Have 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and 4 Granny Smith or other tart apples. Slice the apples thin (with the peel). Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then coat the apple slices. Put a single layer of apples on each baking sheet and bake for two hours. Voila you have a natural, healthy, crispy snack that kids will love to munch.

Healthy Chocolate Pretzel Dips

Have a bag of whole-wheat mini-pretzel rods, and a half cup of semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Microwave the chocolate for 40 seconds or completely melted. Dip a mini-pretzel rod into the melted chocolate halfway and set aside on wax paper. Keep dipping until you run out of chocolate. You'll have a bunch of tasty chocolate pretzel dips that's high in fiber and your child will love to take to school as a snack.

Don't forget to get a lunch box for your kids when they go back to school!