Sep 08 Five Healthy Back-To-School Recipes Your Kids Will Actually Eat
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For most parents, the start of the school year is, for lack of a better word, chaotic. Lost socks (and homework) must be found, sandwiches must be assembled and backpacks stocked with pens, paper, and pencils for the day ahead. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to send the kids off with quick, pre-packaged snacks in the hopes of saving a little time (and sanity). Luckily, there’s an easy way to make sure your little ones (and bigger ones!) enjoy snacks that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Packed with flavor and protein, these five healthy back-to-school snacks can all be made ahead of time to keep their tummies full and their minds focused.
Nutritious and Delicious
Lentil power bites are an awesome quick-fix snack. Perfectly portable, these bite-size morsels can be popped into your little one’s lunch or into their backpack as an after school snack. Big kids love them too. Packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, these no-cook snacks are sure to satisfy their sweet tooth … without filling them with extra sugar.
Skip the Soda
We all know that soft drinks are packed with unnecessary sugar, but so-called fruit drinks can contain just as much (if not more) grams of sugar per serving. Give your kids a boost of protein and fiber (with just the right amount of sweetness) by whipping up a citrus berry smoothie with lentils. With 8 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat, these sweet smoothies are smart snacking at its finest.
Pack In Protein
While we love the convenience of granola bars for a quick after school or practice snack, the truth is that the majority of granola bars are actually little more than candy masquerading as health food. Raise the bar by making your own, protein packed soft and chewy lentil granola bars. Packed with 5 grams of protein per serving, these quick and tasty bars are sure to keep kids energized and ready for the day ahead. They’re also great to pack for a snack before after-school training.
Cut Sugar from the Classics
Whether it’s chocolate chip or snickerdoodle, cookies are a schoolyard staple. Unfortunately, processed cookies (and the majority of those made at home) contain unhealthy amounts of processed sugar and fats, making them less than ideal for everyday lunches. Fortunately, there’s a way to still satisfy their sweet tooth without setting them up for a sugar crash later in the day. Loaded with protein, these tasty Mlentil cookies are one low-sugar sweet that’s sure to keep them full long past lunch.
Satisfy Their Sweet-Tooth (and Yours!)
While we’re all about giving kids healthy choices, it’s important to indulge a little, too! Lucky for us, with a little substitution even these “splurges” can be made healthier. For a treat that’s as sweet as it is healthy, we love avocado and lentil chocolate pudding. The creaminess of the avocado gives this pudding its decadent texture, while cocoa powder and dried cherries fill it with sweetness and flavor. Try it chilled by refrigerating for 2-4 hours before serving. And don’t forget to have some yourself – you deserve it after all the work you do to keep your family healthy and happy!
