7 Healthy after-school treats

FRUIT & YOGURT DIP

This fruit and yogurt dip snack will tide kids over without ruining dinner. Combine sliced strawberries, pineapples, bananas and grapes in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir yogurt and cinnamon well.

VEGETABLE MINI PIZZA

Top English muffins or whole-wheat pitas with pizza sauce. Sprinkle with low-fat cheese and layer on vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, onions and zuchinni. Toast to melt cheese, and serve.

Check out the top 10 healthiest vegetables for more ideas>>

HUMMUS & VEGGIES

Pick up some hummus -- available in flavors such as garlic and roasted red pepper at your grocery store -- to add pizzazz to boring vegetables. Serve it in a dipping bowl alongside carrots, bell peppers, whole-wheat pita slices, etc.

STRING CHEESE

Low in fat and high in protein, this healthy after-school snack supplies 250 milligrams of calcium per serving -- almost 25 percent of the daily recommended value. Kids also love the fun "strings" they can peel off. Pair with sliced apples for a healthy and nutritious snack.

COTTAGE CHEESE & FRUIT

Cottage cheese may not seem appealing to your kids at first, but stir in some fruit preserves or sliced pineapples, and it's suddenly a sweet and creamy treat. Use low- or no-fat cottage cheese for a healthier option. High in protein, cottage cheese is filling enough to keep your kids satisfied until dinnertime.

LIGHT AIR-POPPED POPCORN

This filling snack is just microwave minutes away. High in fiber, air-popped popcorn is the perfect snack to pair with after-school homework. Avoid butter or oil and opt for low-sodium seasonings to add flavor. Check out your grocery store for additional flavors such as kettle corn and low-fat cheddar. Try these flavored popcorn recipes, too.

FRUIT SMOOTHIES

Rich and creamy fruit smoothies satisfy the sweet tooth and pack tons of nutrition. Toss 1/2 cup ice, 1 cup skim milk and 1 cup of your favorite fruit into the blender and process. Try frozen bananas, strawberries or even mangos. This is a great way to use fruit that's a little past its prime or that isn't getting eaten. Keep any extra smoothie in freezer bags for the kids' next snack attack.

More tips for nutritious & healthy smoothies>>

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