Preparing for the After-School “Pantry Raid” and Setting Your Kids Up With Snacks That Satisfy
Back to school means “pantry raid” the minute the kids walk in the door in the afternoon. Let’s face it…this food swoop applies to the fridge as well. But because our kids are ravenous when they get off the bus, it’s important for parents to have a well-stocked kitchen.
Registered Dietitian Melissa Halas-Liang, founder of SuperKidsNutrition.com says it’s important to make sure our kids snack right to develop healthy habits for life, and also to get the right balance of nutrients to keep their energy levels up for homework and other afternoon activities. To help families solve the snack quandary and supply their kids with deceptively delicious healthy snacks, Melissa Halas-Liang shares her insights:
Healthy snacks are essential because they refuel our bodies and add nutrients that are needed for growth and health. They help prepare kids for the next activity by providing sustained energy. Snacking helps meet your fruit, vegetable and whole grain quotas. Snacking can also teach kids not to over-eat at meal time. With snacks, kids not longer feel they have to clean their plate because lunch or dinner is a long way off. This way they can leave some room, because they know a snack is coming. Kids have high-energy needs and smaller stomachs. Snacking helps keep their fuel even, not too low or overloaded so they can perform to their best abilities all day. The right kind of snacking, like popcorn, a whole grain can boost energy between meals and help keep kids at a healthy weight. Popcorn is a fun and healthy whole-grain snack, packed with fiber so it helps keep kids fuller longer and you can pair it with pretty much anything sweet or savory but my kids like theirs with dried cranberries or peanuts. There are countless ways to eat popcorn! Kids love coming up with creative ways to mix and match flavors –a family favorite of mine is pizza popcorn –made up of parmesan, garlic powder and Italian herbs. The other great thing-it’s super affordable at only 15 cents per serving so you can stock you pantry with load of it. It’s so easy to pack –and I know if I include it in my daughter’s backpack for snack time –there won’t be any left. You can learn more at www.popcorn.org
Healthy snacking means planning ahead, so I make sure I always have easy yet wholesome snacks on hand for busy moments on-the-go. Choosing the right snack can often be a challenge. It’s tempting to reach for the most convenient item, but these are usually not the healthiest options. However, one all-natural product that perfect for busy moms is GoGo squeeZ. It’s 100-percentfruit applesauce that comes in a squeezable, re-sealable pouch with a fun built-in straw. Pack them in the car, your purse, or your child’s lunchbox—it’s the perfect snack for any moment, no refrigeration required. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with no refined sugar, artificial flavors or preservatives, GoGo squeeZ is available at Whole Foods, Costco, Walmart, Target, Harris Teeter, Publix and a growing list of other major retailers for a suggested retail price of $2.99 per four-pack. For more information visit www.GoGosqueeZ.com
Moms and dietitians know the best way to introduce healthy foods and snacks to your kids is to make things fun, and one way to do that is with creative shapes. Pepperidge Farm has transformed their iconic Goldfish cracker into new Goldfish Sandwich Bread, which is super fun with a “friendly face” and packed with wholesome ingredients. Each crust-free roll provides 3 grams of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals and contains no high-fructose corn syrup. Available in Soft White (a good source of calcium) and two Soft Whole Wheat varieties (both contain 18 grams of whole grains) where Pepperidge Farm fresh bakery products are sold, this bread is a hit with both kids and parents, so stock up for fun yet wholesome easy snacks. Kids will be even more excited about creating a healthy a topping or spread on their own when it’s paired with this cute bread. For more information visit www.PepperidgeFarm.com
Lastly, remember to always pair snacks with healthy beverages –and sugary drinks with water for snacking. To make it more enticing, try adding frozen fruit ice cubes to each glass.
For more tips on fall nutrition and setting your kids up with healthy snack ideas, go to www.SuperKidsNutrition.com
About the Talent: Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE, founder of SuperKidsNutrition.com, is a nationally recognized nutrition educator and wellness expert. Recently awarded California’s Dietetic Association’s (CDA) Excellence in Community Dietetics award, Melissa has over 15 years of diverse experience in media, writing, nutrition education/curriculum, clinical/critical care, nutrition management and counseling. In August 2006, she founded SuperKids Nutrition Inc (www.superkidsnutrition.com) to save the world one healthy food at a timeTM. Through SuperKids Nutrition she provides nutrition articles, resources, learning activities and newsletters to thousands of schools in over 30 states and motivates kids, parents and teachers to create a healthy life. Through SuperKids Nutrition’s website, blog and facebook page, she offers fun tips and tools for eating healthfully.
