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Adventures in Snacking: Healthy Recipes for Kids

Lehman's
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As fall is beginning to move in, afternoons are focused on the famous after-school snack. Afternoon snacks are important to school age children because many have eaten lunch in late morning and their systems are ready to crash. To children of the preschool age, daily snacks are even more important and can be a challenge. Many preschoolers get as much as one-third of their total daily calories from snacks. It is almost impossible for kids to get all the nutrients they need in just three meals. Some easy tips, recipes and plans can make your preschoolers’ snacking go smoothly.

Pairing carbs with proteins makes a long-lasting energy snack. Start your snack with a carbohydrate like sliced fruit, crackers, or bread and add a protein like peanut butter, bean dip, or a slice of cheese.

Adventures in Snacking: Healthy Recipes for Kids

Author: Lehman's

Ingredients

1 crisp apple
3 tbs. orange juice
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tbs. honey
3/4 cup pumpkin purée
1 egg
3 tbs. brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, toasted almonds
1/4 cup raisins or chopped dried fruit, such as pears, apricots, or apples
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Zest of 1 orange
1 cup orange juice
4 tbs. powdered milk
8 oz. non-fat vanilla yogurt
1 ripe banana
Fresh fruit for garnish (orange slices, strawberries, or a cherry)

Directions

Cut the apple into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Dip the slices in the juice to coat each side (this prevents the apple from browning). Shake off the excess juice.
In a small bowl, blend the peanut butter and honey together. Spread half the slices with the peanut-butter-and-honey mixture; then top with a second slice.
Seal with plastic wrap and keep chilled until ready to eat.
Preheat the oven to 350Â°F.
Spray a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, egg, brown sugar, butter, and honey.
Add the oats, nuts, dried fruit, wheat germ, cinnamon, and orange zest.
Scrape the batter into the baking pan, and bake for 40 minutes.
Cool completely before cutting into 1- by 2-inch sticks. These bars firm up as they cool, so wrap them individually and freeze.
Help your child measure the ingredients and add them to a blender. Kids can slice the banana with a plastic knife and sprinkle the banana pieces on last.
Blend just until smooth and creamy. Give the smoothie a stir with a spoon to see if it is the right consistency for pouring and, if needed, thin with a bit more orange juice.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh fruit.