Simple After School Snacks for Your Hungry Middle Schooler or Teenager

Have a hungry middle schooler? If you have a hungry teenager or an almost teen (a 'tween'), gone are the days of making Banana Boats. She wants something more and maybe you aren't there to see she is eating right. He wants something less 'baby'. OK, 'Ants on a log' could be a fun change, but why not try something a little more mature but just as healthy? These quick and easy snacks can be made ahead and ready for after school hunger pangs.

Oatmeal anything. Sure the sound of oatmeal probably doesn't sound tastey to your teen, but she doesn't need to know it's an ingredient. Here are some good ones. Oatmeal Bars. Oatmeal Cookies. Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Raisins or chocolate chips makes it taste better to her. The oatmeal makes it healthy.

Eggs. Egg salad. Boiled egg. Eggs are excellent sources of protein for your hungry middle schooler. Also riboflavin, choline, folate, lutein and zeaxanthin, a nutrient which is good for the eyes. (Please try to use cage free eggs in favor of better treatment of animals.) Serve on a slice of toast.

Skip the carrot sticks! Make carrot salad for your hungry middle schooler! 3-4 cups freshly grated carrots; 1/2-1 cup raisins; 1 large apple, cored and chopped; 1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise; Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Find more carrot ideas at www.carrotrecipes.net.

Cottage Cheese. My hungry middle schooler's favorite. Have it ready on a plate in the fridge with whole wheat crackers like Triscuit or Wheat thins in a sandwich bag.

Teenagers love this gooey stuff which is good protein for your vegans: Microwave Peanut Butter Snack. 2 tablespoons peanut butter; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 cup puffed rice; Heat the peanut butter in a microwave twenty seconds to a minute, or until slightly runny. Stir in sugar, then puffed rice and any other ingredients. Great add-ins would be coconut, raisins, carob chips. Prep time, 5 minutes.

Speaking of peanut butter there are lot of peanut butter recipes out there, but try to keep it simple. Sometimes a simple peanut butter (with or without jelly) sandwich and a glass of milk is the best remedy for a long day at school. Dad always mixed a little maple syrup with the peanut butter, try it!

Cereal. Not just for breakfast, cereal is great right out of the box or in a bowl with milk. Choose less sugary varieties like Cheerios or Wheaties. These are both fibrous and nutritious for your teenager. Vegan? Use rice or soy milk to soak their flakes.

A good Friday snack when dinner is usually late or not at all is English Muffin Pizza. Use squeeze pizza sauce. Top english muffin halves with pizza toppings like broccoli, mozzarella or different cheeses and 'nuke' 'em in the microwave for thirty seconds to a minute on high. Yum.

Tuna or Salmon. Granted, tuna gets a bad rep lately with the debatable talk of mercury amounts in fish. But tuna sold at the health food store may be safer. There is also a 'veggie tuna' that is packed with protein and has an uncanny "tuna" flavor and texture. Or get farm raised salmon. Mixed with a little soyanaise or mayonaise is great on some whole wheat or oat crackers. Serve with fruit juice or ice water.

Remember, the best snacks are nutritious. Snacks low in sugar, fat, and salt. Help you're teen to remember that fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and protein are the best choices. Get together and look for recipes with these ingredients in mind and you'll find something you both agree on, even if it isn't 'Ants on a log' or 'Banana Boats' any more!