Healthy Afterschool Snacks

You know that feeling when you come home from school, rush to the fridge and have no idea what to eat? Here are three healthy after-school snacks to help resolve that daily dilemma without resorting to junk foods.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This snack will provide the energy to push through and complete homework, as bananas contain carbohydrates and potassium. Strawberries help with eyesight which is definitely beneficial with eyes constantly glued to a screen. Milk will give the needed calcium for strong bones to achieve proper posture when sitting at a desk. Making a smoothie like this, without the addition of ice cream as in many smoothies, will result in a healthier, yet still delicious version of the popular beverage.

Ingredients:

1. ½ banana

2. 3 strawberries

3. ½ cup of milk

Procedure:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender.

2. Blend until the consistency is smooth without any fruit chunks.

Enjoy your smoothie!

Parfait

With this parfait the strawberries will provide a source of healthy eyesight and discussed before, and the blueberries, the fruit with the most antioxidants, will keep the immune system healthy. Granola contains fiber which will help with digestion and yogurt is not only an excellent source of calcium, but also helps one feel fuller.

Ingredients:
1. Fruit yogurt

2. Selection of fruits (berries recommended)

Granola

Procedure:

1. Place the yogurt in a bowl.

2. Place the granola on top of the yogurt.

3. Sprinkle your fruit on top.

Enjoy your parfait!

Cracker, Cheese, & Fruit Combo

In this cracker, cheese, and fruit combo, many of the food groups are covered to create a healthy snack. The fruits provided antioxidants and help with eyesight as discussed before. The cheese provides calcium, which helps with posture and cavity protection. Cheese also contains some protein, which helps in the maintenance of a strong, healthy body. The crackers are a source of carbohydrates for a source of energy.

Ingredients:

1. Crackers

2. Cheese

3. Selection of fruits

Procedure:

1. Spread the cheese on the crackers.

2. Place the fruit on the crackers.

Enjoy your cracker, cheese, and fruit combo!