When kids are in school, sometimes there’s a long stretch between lunch and the end of school so when they get home, they are hungry. It’s up to you to choose the appropriate snacks for them to make a healthy choice.

Typically the standard type of snack for kids after school is cookies, which are very high in fat. They are easy access food but are not the best choice as a snack. You need to provide snacks that are high in vitamins and low in fat; this is the best choice.

Snack foods don’t have to be bland; you can add some taste to items such as vegetables with a dip or dressing. Although the dip might have some added fat, it is still a better alternative to cookies or sweets.

Fruits. Fruit is another great snack for kids after school. Keeping apples, pears, strawberries, peaches, and plums stocked in your refrigerator will give your kids the opportunity to eat these healthy snacks. When you get home from the store, wash your fruit immediately and put it in a bowl where your kids can have easy access to it.

Certainly the best alternative to give your kids for snacks are natural types of food such as nuts, dried or dehydrated fruit, cheese, or popcorn. And always offer then a glass of milk instead of soda or imitation fruit juice.

The important thing you need to know is your kids should have snacks that are low in preservatives and food coloring and high in nutritional value. These are the best types of foods to have available for your children.

Allowing your kids to use peanut butter as a dip is great; it adds protein and taste and limits the unhealthy calories they get from other types of foods.

As a parent it is up to you to pass up the unhealthy items at the grocery store and buy your kids the healthy snacks. You are the one who has to change the way they think about food and what it does to their body. Give them alternatives to the normal snack routine.