We have snack each afternoon. Our snack time is supposed to last no more than 15 minutes. For this reason the snack students bring needs to be small enough to eat in 10 - 15 minutes. One thing to eat and one thing to drink is all that is necessary. Don't forget to send spoons or spreading utensils with your child's snack if needed. Please do not send snack cakes, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, chips or candies for snack unless it is for your child's special birthday treat or a holiday party. Thank you for your cooperation.
Healthy snacks can help boost a child's mental and physical skills. A snack in the afternoon can help keep kids alert, improve memory and increase endurance and athletic performance. Healthy snacks can prevent overeating at meal times. The key word is "healthy" snacks. Some snacks contain so much sugar and fat that they are more like "treats". Children are eating greater portions of high-fat, high-sugar laden snacks than kids did 20 years ago. While these snacks provide a temporary boost, they eventually leave kids sluggish and lethargic and quickly hungry again. While snacks of this type are o.k. once and a while, they should not be a daily eating habit.
Our school is taking the initative to promote healthy eating for our students. The cafeteria offers many healthy choices for students to purchase for snack. If you prefer to send snack with your child, here are some suggestions to help you with ideas to provide a healthy snack:
- Fresh fruit cut in slices or halves, such as apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, grapefruit, grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
- Raw vegetables are always a good choice, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, or cucumbers served with a lowfat dip.
- Non-sugared cereals
- Lowfat muffins or quick breads such as banana, pumpkin, zucchini or bran.
- Trail mixes made with nuts, dried fruit and whole grain cereal.
- Rice Cakes
- Raisins or other dried fruits
- Bagels
- Crackers with cheese
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Granola bars or mixes
- Yogurt
- Goldfish
- String Cheese or cheese cubes
- Animal crackers or vanilla wafers
- Teach your child about good nutrition when shopping. Point out healthychoices. Let children help pick out fruits, vegetables, and cheeses for snacks. They will be more interested in eating these foods if they have been involved in selecting them.
- Avoid high sugar, fatty and salty snacks.
- Plan snacks with your child and allow for some choices between several healthy snacks.
- If your child wants something sweet or salty instead, remind him or her this is a snack not a treat. Be firm offering the healthy choices. Remember, a child will eat a healthy snack if she or he is really hungry, but kids will eat chocolate anytime!
- Keep a "snack spot" in the refrigerator and cupboard; keep it stocked with nutritious, ready-to-eat snacks. Then let your child pack his or her own snack for the day.
- Avoid letting your child feel deprived. Offer cookies and chips occasionally by including them in a meal. Instead of mashed potatoes, have potato chips once and a while. Offer a cookie for dessert.
- Plan snacks to help meet the suggested number of servings per day from the Food Guide Pyramid.
- Set a good example by eating healthy snacks yourself.
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