When our kids get home from school, they are HUNGRY!  They act like they haven’t eaten all day long, even though I pack each of them a very filling lunch (I pack their lunches one time for the week).    They walk in the door and immediately say “Hi Mom!  Here is my backpack.  I’m STARVING!”

So, here are 7 great after school snacks that I love:

1- Protein Balls:

These are quick little snacks that are easy to make (but get eaten as fast as you make them!)   Just throw these ingredients together in a bowl & combine:

• 1 cup (dry, old-fashioned) oatmeal
• 1/2 cup almond butter (or PB)
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
• 2/3 cup any kind of nuts (I take pecans, walnuts… and I grind them in the magic bullet)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 c. raisins (optional)Combine & roll into little balls.
  I store them in the refrigerator.

2- Veggies left out on a tray, on the table:

I wrote about it in this post: How to get your kids to eat more vegetables).

3- Peanut Butter Muffins:

4-BananaFormula Muffins

(You can’t taste the formula, but it adds nutrition!)

5.  Peanut Butter Banana Boats:

Simply cut a banana in half and spread on your favorite nut butter….peanut, almond, sunflower.  They all work great.  I wrap them in plastic wrap and use it to keep my little one’s hands from getting all sticky!

6. Fruit Kabobs

7- Mini Rice Cake Sandwiches

Mini Rice Cake Bites.  Have you ever made these?  They are simple and easy to make.  Take mini rice cakes and spread a dab of nut butter and a slice of banana.  Then top with another mini rice cake.  These keep well and are the perfect snack bite during a swim break.

8- Dannon Activia Yogurt

You should doing the activia challenge– you get your money back if it doesn’t work!

Anyway- I also put one in their lunch boxes every day, because it is so healthy.  They actually ASK to make sure that I put a “Active yogurt”, as they call it (haha!!) in their lunch boxes. Our favorite flavor is the strawberry.