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Let's Talk About Snacks What Are Snacks? Snacks are small meals you have in between meals to give you energy. Breakfast Snack (Usually you have this at recess) Lunch Snack (At recess or right after school) Supper Snack (A before bed treat) Why Are Snacks Important? Snacks are important because little people usually do not eat enough at one meal to get all the vitamins and nutrients they need for the day. And because they do not eat enough at meal time, they get hungry between meals. Eating a healthy snack makes sure you get all the things you need in the day to keep you healthy and full of energy. What Do We Do After Snacking? After you eat a snack you should always throw away your garbage, clean up your space, brush and floss your teeth, and wash your hands. If you can't brush or floss your teeth at school, be sure to do it when you get home. What Are Healthy Snacks? Healthy snacks provide you with the vitamins and nutrients you need to keep you healthy and full of energy. Healthy snacks are low in sugar, fat and salt. Here are a few examples of healthy snacks: Vegetables Fruit Bread Sticks Crackers and Cheese Smoothies Granola Bars Yogurt Air Popped Popcorn Bran Muffin English Muffins Bagel with Jam Peanut Butter on Crackers Seeds or Nuts (1/4 cup) 100% Fruit Juice (4 oz.) Milk Low Fat Dip Low Sugar Cereal Dried Fruit or Nuts One Pickle Slice of Toast with Jam Pretzels (unsalted) Tomato or V-8 Juice What Are Unhealthy Snacks? Unhealthy snacks are high in sugar, fat and salt. Large amounts of food is not good for you regardless of whether or not they are healthy snack choices. You just want a small snack to hold you over until your next meal. It's OK to have an unhealthy snack once in a while or for a special treat. You don't want to have them on a daily basis. Here are a few examples of unhealthy snacks: Chocolate Bars Candy Popcorn cooked in oil Pop Pudding Jello Cookies Cake Fries Popsicle Regular Dips Juice Drinks Gum Chips Pogo's Ice Cream Koolaid Pizza Hot Dogs Lunchables Donuts Toaster Pastry Fruit String Snack Suggestions Here are a few examples of healthy snacks to pack in your lunch bags for school or on trips: Make a Kabob out of several healthy snack choices. For example, cheese, strawberries and grapes. Apple slices dipped in peanut butter Celery with low fat cream cheese for dipping. A banana dipped in yogurt and granola Mix shreddies, cherrios, unsalted peanuts, raisins and cheese nips (crackers). Have some veggies with a low fat dip. Have some fruit with a low fat cream cheese dip. Yogurt with granola on top. String cheese. Always fun to eat! Put ice, yogurt and your favorite fruit in a blender. Makes a great smoothie! Have at home. Orange Creamsicles made from orange juice, yogurt and water. Have at home. Attention Teachers: Check out this awesome resource from Healthy Choices For Kids: Healthy Eating Lesson Plan and Printable Materials. Attention Parents: Never use food as a reward for appropriate behavior programs. Children will see food as a reward instead of a healthy part of their day. It can set up attitudes and habits towards food that may be unhealthy in the long run. Back to Recipes Index

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