When the school day ends, kids often come home ravenous and ready for a snack. Offering them healthy, satisfying foods is the key to keeping bellies full all the way until dinnertime. More fiber in your little one’s diet has both short and long-term benefits. Ensuring your child gets at least five servings of fruit and veggies a day will keep them full and fueled for after-school activities like homework, sports, or playtime, and in the long run, it will help build their microbiome for a healthy gut. Here are a few easy and nutritious snack ideas that will not only curb your child’s hunger but will also help you increase their fruit intake.

1. Avocado Banana Muffins

This avocado banana muffin recipe from My Kids Lick the Bowl, are delightfully moist, thanks to the avocado, without the need for butter or oil. They are also low in sugar, sweetened just with banana and a little honey (optional), but kid-approved with a sprinkling of chocolate chips in each one. These filling and nutritious muffins will be sure to keep bellies full for hours until dinner is ready.

Tip: If your child is a picky eater, being generous with the chocolate chips can help entice and encourage them to try a new recipe.
 

2. Fruity Frozen Yogurt Bark

This snack is not only colorful and fun to eat but is an excellent way to use up yogurt or fruit nearing their expiration date. This recipe from Hello Wonderful, can also be easily tailored to your child’s preferences; mix some nut butter into the yogurt or throw some chopped nuts into the mixture before freezing for some additional healthy fats.

Tip: Prep this snack ahead of time with your child’s help to encourage their creativity in the kitchen. Getting their input on what fruit or toppings to add to the yogurt bark each time can encourage their exploration of new flavors.
 

3. Fruit Pizza

This recipe is as simple as cream cheese slathered on top of a graham cracker and generously topped with chopped fruit. Easy and delicious! Fruit pizzas will certainly increase your child’s intake of fruit. Empower your kids to have control over their snack by giving them the choice of which fruits they would like on top of their fruit pizzas.

Tip: For an easier spread, try whipped cream cheese. And consider sprinkling hulled hemp seeds on top of the fruit pizzas for an easy boost of healthy omega-3 fats.