When the after school hunger monster emerges, don’t fall back on sugary cookies or high-fat chips. Instead, opt for these 7 healthy after school snacks that your kids will love.

7 Healthy After School Snacks Your Kids Will Love.

1. Rice Cakes– These crispy treats are perfect when topped with cheese and sliced apples, or go creamy and top with cream cheese and a dollop of all-fruit spread. Try flavored rice cakes topped with a complementary flavor, like cinnamon flavored cakes with a low-fat caramel sauce drizzle.

2. Cheese Toast– Up the ante on this breakfast classic and it becomes an easy and nutritious after school snack. Instead of boring white bread and cheddar cheese, try whole grain bread and low-fat swiss. Or pumpernickel and goat cheese or vegetable flavored cream cheese. Broil slightly to heat and brown and cut into 4 wedges. Enjoy!

3. Chicken Sliders– Repurpose leftover chicken into a healthy after school snack! Use whole grain dinner-sized rolls as your slider bun, then top with chopped chicken and your choice of toppings like chutney, bbq sauce, or even light ranch dressing. Wrap sliders in foil and heat for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Voila!

4. Extra Thick and Creamy Snack Smoothie– Who doesn’t love a smoothie, especially if it’s extra thick and creamy! Start with 1/2 cup strawberry flavored, low-fat yogurt as your base. Add just enough milk to blend (a scant 1/4 cup) with 1 and 1/2 cups frozen, unsweetened strawberries with 1 tablespoon strawberry all-fruit spread.  Add an 1/8 tsp of almond extract and blend until smooth. You can try any flavor combo that sounds good…like lemon yogurt with frozen blueberries, blueberry all-fruit spread and lemon extract, or vanilla yogurt with frozen pineapple chunks, low-sugar orange marmalade and coconut extract. The sky’s the limit!

5. Fiesta Popcorn– Liven-up boring plain popcorn by adding a few teaspoons of chili powder and a sprinkle of cumin. Or use a salt-free seasoning like Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime seasoning to add a spicy kick. No butter needed!

6. Easy Peanut Butter Dip– This oh-so-easy dip gives peanut butter a little something extra. Pair with graham crackers and fruit bites.

7. Kale Chips– Once your kids try a kale chip, they may never want another potato chip! Kale chips are the perfect crispy, salty, crunchy, treat, and are loaded with nutrition. Find a great kale chip recipe at ohsheglows.com

This year, don’t let back to school snacking catch you off guard. These healthy alternatives will keep your kids going all afternoon. If only homework could be this easy…