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Healthy After School Snacks for Teens

Teens, while still dependent on their parents, have the luxury of some freedom when it comes to what they eat. Having healthy snacks to eat when they come home is crucial in your teen's health. Naturally, teens are attracted to fatty, greasy or sugary snacks which are easy to make and consume. These poor snacks add extra saturated fats and sodium to their bodies which can lead to serious health problems in the future. Help your teens by having healthy snacks readily available or easily thrown together when they get home, and purge your house of unhealthy temptations for yourself and your family's health.

  1. Mix-n-Match Trail Mix

    • Making your own healthy trail mix is a great way to experiment with different whole grain cereals, nuts, dried fruits and even chocolate. Start with a fiber base of two different whole grain cereals, one cup of each. Add one cup of mixed nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts or Brazil nuts and a half cup of dried fruits; raisins, bananas or pineapple will add some natural sweetness to your mix. Optionally, you can add a half cup or less of chocolate chips. Chocolate has some great natural antioxidants and is healthy to eat in small doses.

    Fruit Smoothies

    • Fruit-based smoothies can be just as delicious as high-calorie milkshakes and need only a few ingredients. The best base for smoothies is bananas because they act as a thickener, making smoothies rich and creamy. Keep a few bananas in your freezer so they are already ice cold. One banana per smoothie is all you need. Add other fruits, fresh or frozen, to your smoothie and blend until everything has completely mixed. Encourage your teens to experiment with different fruits; you can even start a smoothie special of the week.

    Veggies, Pita and Hummus

    • Chips and dips are the go-to snack for teens, however they are high in saturated fats, unhealthy to eat every day. As an alternative to chips, try freshly cut vegetables like celery, carrots, cauliflower or broccoli. Pita or whole grain crackers also go great with hummus and can be more filling than vegetables. Hummus is a creamy dip made out of chick peas and spices; this dip is a great source of protein and comes in a variety of flavors.

    Drinks

    • One of the biggest problems for teens these days is the abundance of sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks and coffee. These drinks usually have more than the daily recommended amount of sugar and caffeine a person should consume, and teens are drawn to these trendy drinks. Be sure to have healthy alternatives around the house for you teens to enjoy. Vegetable juice, unsweetened teas, sparkling water and low-fat milk are all great alternatives.

    Avoiding Unhealthy Snacks

    • Even though it's nice to have a special sugary treat once in a while, it's hard to keep these treats in the house without eating them. Avoid buying items like cookies, donuts, chips, ice cream or greasy snacks like pizza bites in bulk. Instead, for a reward bring home a small amount for your family, which you know will only last one day. Then there is no temptation for your teen when they come home from school.

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