After School Snacks - Keep It Healthy - Primary Health Network

After School Snacks – Keep It Healthy

What do your kids like to snack on after school? If your child is reaching for chips or cookies as soon as they walk in the door, it might be time to restock your kitchen with healthier options. Not only do processed foods have negative effects on your children’s health, the CDC has found that students with lower grades in school sometimes are not eating enough fruits and veggies.PHN Practice Manager Amy Hackett, LPN, says that her twin daughters love to snack on different fruits and veggies when they add a homemade dip to go with them. “They will eat fruit in a heartbeat after school, especially if we add a healthy dip such as Greek yogurt dark chocolate dip. We also use Greek yogurt to make homemade ranch dip – it has no added sugar, no added preservatives, and it tastes great with raw vegetables. Greek yogurt is a great source of protein, and a healthier alternative to everything from sour cream to mayonnaise.”The recipes for the two dips Amy makes are provided below; be sure to buy plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. If your kids are especially hungry when they get home from school, she recommends doubling the recipe!

HOMEMADE RANCH DIP INGREDIENTS1 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)1 tbsp. homemade dry ranch powder (recipe below)Dry Ranch Power:1/3 cup dry powdered buttermilk (optional)2 tablespoons dried parsley1 ½ teaspoons dried dill weed2 teaspoons garlic powder2 teaspoons onion powder2 teaspoons dried onion flakes1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon dried chives1 teaspoon salt*Whisk all ingredients until blended and store in a sealed container. DIRECTIONSWhisk together ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Serve immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or until the yogurt’s expiration date.

GREEK YOGURT CHOCOLATE DIP INGREDIENTS1/2 cup Greek Yogurt2 tablespoons cocoa powder3 tablespoons brown sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon DIRECTIONSCombine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until it is an even dark color and all of the brown sugar granules have dissolved, about 3 minutes.Serve with fresh berries, marshmallows and sweet biscuits for dipping.

Amy Hackett, LPN, is the Practice Manager at Mercer Primary Care in Mercer, PA. She became a nurse because her family is her number one priority. She loves to meet new people and get to know them and what their interests are. In her free time, you can find Amy playing some kind of sport outside with her twins in the summer or crafting!