Making healthy after-school snacks easily available to kids Woo Hoo!

It’s almost time for our little (and not so little) ones to head back to school. Time to get back to schedules and routines.

I don’t know about your kids, but the first thing mine look for when they get home is a snack.

It’s not only important to offer a healthy snack after a long day at school, but also to provide healthy, portable snacks for kids who have sports practice or on buses back and forth to away games.

Healthy snacking is important because it allows you to add to your intake of essential nutrients, can help increase energy levels, and may prevent you from overeating at your next meal.

Be smart about your snacking. Cookies and sweets are yummy but they may not satisfy a hunger, which could make you or your kids eat more than needed.

Snacks that include a combination of protein, fat and carbohydrates will fill you up and keep you going longer.

Here are some suggestions for healthy snacks to get your school year started.

1. Toast and peanut butter. Try whole wheat or raisin toast. Add some slices of banana.

2. Fruit. Fresh, canned, frozen or dried—all of it is great.

3. Vegetables. Cut them up ahead of time and have them ready in the refrigerator with some lowfat dip, salad dressing or guacamole.

Try broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, red peppers, zucchini, cucumber, celery, and jicama. Kids might like to put the veggies in a pita pocket with some dressing or hummus.

4. Yogurt. By itself or made into a smoothie with some fresh or frozen fruit.

5. Trail mix. Mix up your own using raisins, dried blueberries or cranberries, papaya, apricots, almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and a few chocolate bits or M&Ms.

Measure it in 1/2 cup servings and store for easy access and portion control.

6. Popsicles. Look for ones with no sugar added or made from 100% fruit juice. Or make your own!

7. English muffin or bagel pizza. Spread tomato sauce on a half, add a little basil, oregano, and garlic to taste, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and toast in toaster oven until the cheese melts.

Cut-up veggies can be added for variety.

8. Lowfat microwave popcorn without butter. Try sprinkling with Parmesan cheese instead.

9. Cereal. Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Grape Nuts or other lowfat, low-sugar cereals and 1% or skim milk. Throw some fruit on top for extra color and sweetness.

10. Whole grain crackers such as Triscuits, served with peanut butter or lowfat cheese.

11. Tortilla chips and salsa.

Make it easy for your kids to choose an after-school snack by posting a list of available choices on the refrigerator.

However, the best plan is to leave something out in plain sight.

That way your kids will spot it as soon as they walk into the kitchen.

A hungry child, like a hungry adult, is going to gravitate to what is quick, easy and available.

So keep the cookies off the counter!

It’s been a wonderful summer, but let the countdown begin…