Snack Time!

For those of you with snack nutrition programs, I'm told over and over again, having single serving options is easiest. Which is why apples, bananas or other single serving fruit is a simple way to get kids snacking. However, having the same kinds of snacks over and over again can be boring for kids and part of our job is to educate and get them excited about healthy choices. It can be difficult to come up with creative snacks to serve students, especially in a single serving.

Below you'll find some ideas for single serving snacks that kids love and are pretty easy to put together. All of these great snacks were prepared by our After School Program Coordinator at Princess Elizabeth, Denise Ritchie. She is full of great ideas! 

In these pictures: Strawberries, raspberries, pears, apple, pineapple, kiwi, peaches

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Toast Pita Chips

Cut up fresh (or canned fruit) into tiny pieces, similar to salsa. Mix together in a large bowl. Add a squeeze of lemon to stop the apples from going brown. Portion into small individual bowls or cups.

Slice up whole wheat pitas. Drizzle with olive oil.Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.Warm in the oven. Place in the bowl or cup. (Or you can cut the pitas up and place them in the cups without warming or adding cinnamon to save on time).

enjoy!

Any fruit will work but I would avoid bananas because they would go too mushy.

In these pictures: Carrot and celery sticks

Veggies and Pitas with Dip in a Cup

Step One: wash and cup up vegetables into long, thin pieces.

(cut them long enough to stick out of the cup, but not too long to tip it over)

Step two: add dip to the bottom of each cup.

(you need enough dip to hold the cup upright, about 2 - 3 tbsp.)

Make your own dip using low fat sour cream and onion soup mix or simply buy your own like hummus or ranch.

Step three: fill with veggies and pita bread.

(put the veggies in first and wedge the pita bread triangles on top so they are not touching the dip and get soggy)

enjoy!

In these smoothies: Strawberries, bananas, ice and 100% orange juice

Non Dairy Smoothies:

Ingredients: Fruit, Ice, Juice

Add all the ingredients to a blender and puree. If you don't want to use ice you can simply use frozen fruit and water. There is also the option to make dairy smoothies by adding yogurt or using milk instead of juice. Smoothies are great because you can customize them to how you like them. 

I even add spinach or kale to mine for an extra vitamin and nutrient boost. They usually turn out pretty green but challenging your students to try new foods can be fun! (And you can't taste the spinach - trust me!)

Happy Snacking!