Healthy snacks for kids

[mellywelly]

My kids (12,8, and 5) are starving as soon as they get in from school, I encourage them to have fruit or yogurts, so not to ruin their appetite for tea around 5pm ish, but they claim this does not fill them up and they are still starving.

What quick healthy snacks can I give them between 3.45-4.30pm that won't ruin their appetite!

[Jugglering]

I might be ducking the obvious answer here, but why not let them have a sandwich when they get in from school (just a simple meat or cheese or peanut butter one) and if they're not really hungry at 5pm, then have dinner/tea a bit later ? Failing that, how about giving them a bit more for their lunch (eg another sandwich) or packing in a mid afternoon snack like some crackers and crudit�s with a dip or cream cheese... or even some biccies or a choccie brownie.... lol.

Dried fruit might be another solution - you can get those little packs of dried apricots etc.

If kids are burning off the calories then you surely don't need to worry about ruining their appetites !

[Abdulmajid]

A single pitta bread with some cheese and/or meat and salad shouldn't deter too much from dinner, will it?

[crisgal]

i had the same problem. 15, 7 and 5, they are starving when they get in. I used to worry too, trying to give them fruit but they wanted someting more.
Anyway, i now do their tea between 4 and 4.30 and they eat every bit. They get thier baths earlier, are ready for bed earlier. Then I realised they were sometimes having a piece of toast for supper - so they could have had the sandwich!

[Brooksy]

As Abulmajid suggests, pitta breads (grilled or microwaved as per instructions on pack) are purrfect. Try cheese spreads with cucumber or tomato, humous (if they can stand garlic yet) taramasalata, oh my mouth is starting to water! Fried, split sausages, oven chips, salad stuff (like you get in a doner), Oh, use your imagination! These shouldn`t fill them up & are staple snacks in Mediterranean countries.

[spudqueen]

A bowl of cereal.

[mellywelly]

thanks for all your ideas!

[naflharrison]

banana bread, its a mrs beatons recipe and super gorgeous, they will enjoy the cakeyness of it without realising they are getting the potasium from the bananas vital for energy and concentration for the dreaded homework. its filling but wont spoil their appetite for long. a nice big slice and a glass of flavoured milk. my daughter is five and hates bananas now but loves the cake!

[amonty1144]

You can make these and keep them in the fridge..they are cheap and filling.
Slice bread batons (french stick style) in half, spread with Dolmio stir in sauce, any variety they will like (havnt tried carnonara) add a slice of ham, top with cheese and grill until the cheese has melted ..
excellent fresh or just warmed in the microwave.