Your Back to School Snack Guide

As the summer season winds down, you are probably starting to gear up for the upcoming school year. Back to school season is an exciting time of year but it can also be stressful for parents, especially thinking about the busy days ahead. Luckily we are here to help!

Confidently start your year with a list of quick and easy back to school snacks that will save you time and money! These healthy snacks are sure to be a hit with the kids, and you’ll have peace of mind that your child is getting nutrients that will help them take on the busy school day.

Snacks To Pack

-Make banana honey peanut butter roll ups using a whole grain wrap and loading up on your favorite nut butter and sliced bananas. Simply roll and enjoy!  You can add cinnamon, honey, chopped walnuts or other toppings of your choice to this nutritious and fun sweet treat.

-Trail Mix made the right way can be a fantastic healthy snack. Create a personalized trail mix in bulk that you can easily portion and pack for your child. Ingredients like your favorite whole grain cereal, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate chips, dried fruits, roasted chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, air-popped popcorn, unsalted peanuts, ect. will make this a great mix.

-Make air-popped popcorn then add olive oil and sea salt or your favorite spices for some added flare.  From garlic herb to hot and spicy, there is a seasoning for everyone!

-Roasted Chickpeas are a quick and easy snack that comes in a variety of different flavors such as BBQ, honey roasted, and ranch. Pick them up at your local supermarket or try making them at home.

-Mixed veggie sticks with hummus can be a great snack that takes little to no time to prepare. Try using carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cut up pepper slices then mix up your dip with different flavors of hummus such as chocolate, red pepper and sun dried tomatoes.

-Rice cakes with a nut butter or sun butter (nut free) and sliced bananas on top are inexpensive and easy. You can also try rice cakes with yogurt and frozen mixed berries on top or just snack on them plain.

-You can’t go wrong with light or greek yogurt in your child’s favorite flavor. Top it off with some granola (just watch out for brands with lots of added sugars), fresh fruit, and mixed nuts.

-Try a meat and cheese roll up for lunch! Several chicken or turkey roll ups with low fat cheese can be substituted for their sandwich. You can also add lettuce, tomato, or other veggies into the roll-up to boost the nutrient content. Try a low-fat dressing, hummus, or mustard for more flavor.

After School Snacks

-Frozen yogurt coated blueberries are a quick overnight treat sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Experiment with frozen yogurt fruit bark or froyo fruit pops in various flavors. Enjoy some quality time with your child and involve them in making these fun treats.

-Try cotton candy grapes! These are a delicious snack that you can take up a notch by freezing. After a long day they are a great frozen treat.

-Get creative with smoothies! Try adding veggies into your child’s smoothie such as beets, carrots or spinach. They will love the fun colors and won’t even notice they are eating a vegetable.

-Try fruit kabobs by cutting up different types of fruit such as pineapple, apples, mango, grapes, etc. Cutting your fruit cubes into shapes can make them extra fun to eat. You can also make a more savory version by using low-fat cubed cheese, lean meats, and olives.

-Have you tried peanut butter sandwiched between two slices of banana? You can dip your mini sandwich in dark chocolate or more peanut butter and freeze for added variety.

-Have you ever tried buffalo tuna dip paired with celery and carrots? Mix canned tuna with greek yogurt and buffalo sauce then get to dipping!

-For a snack that requires no prep, try unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon. You can microwave the applesauce for a warm fall treat.

-Hop on board the veggie chip trend. Homemade veggies or fruit chips are a great snack you can make by slicing up vegetables or fruit then throwing them in the oven to bake or an airfryer. Try out different veggies and see what kinds your kids enjoy. Examples are zucchini, kale, apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, etc.

---

Written by Kristen Denson and Jenna Mucciarone

Nutrition Student Volunteers at Milford Regional