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Balanced after school snack ideas

12 replies

TumbleToes · 26/02/2025 13:40

DD (5 and small for age) has always needed an afterschool snack, we are usually home for about an hour then have a club, then home to eat dinner around 6:30 so this works for us.

Lately she has been more fussy about dinner and eating less. Mainly she is tired and I will look into reducing clubs etc but what I want advice on is the after school snack.

She is less fussy with the snack and will eat more of a range but I've tended to be pretty lazy about it - I get home then too and just want to chuck stuff of a plate and have a sit down for an hour. Usually I give her some combo of ham, cheese, banana and strawberries - with or without bread. I worry about how much ham she has but she won't eat leftover roast chicken as an alternative. Anyone know if 'deli' sliced chicken is any better than ham from a health pov?

She is very fussy about cold veggies, can't think of any veg that she would eat cold hence she has the fruit - she doesn't even like cucumbers, peppers or raw carrots! It's finding a balance, esp if this 'snack' is becoming her main evening meal, that I am finding tricky. Ideas appreciated.

OP posts:
Legolord · 26/02/2025 13:50

Does she like peanut butter? We get through loads as my children like it and it's an easy protein so win-win. They are always ravenous after school, and we eat dinner at 5.30 but to stop the constant asking for snacks I've started having a plate ready when they get in with two or three things on each, one of which has to be protein and when that's eaten that's it until dinner.

Apple slices with peanut butter on
Halved grapes
A pear
Cheese cubes (just cut from a big block of cheddar) on mini fun forks
Banana milkshake, maybe some chocolate protein powder in
Crumpet
3-ingredient mini banana pancakes
If nothing else carby, a plain biscuit
Peanut butter(and jam) sandwich
Plain popcorn

It's not hummus and carrot sticks healthy but pretty reasonable I think.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 26/02/2025 13:52

Peanut butter and apple slices
Hummous and whatever vegetable she likes
Celery filled with cream cheese
Chines of cheese and apple
Pre made flourless muffins

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 26/02/2025 13:52

Does she do a club every day? That's a lot going on for a child?

If she's hungry after school can you give her her dinner early as 6.30can be quite late for a 5 year old. Or give her a bigger snack that is filling (bread, protein) and have a smaller portion of dinner?

Are you otherwise worried about her eating or about her size?

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UnderHisEeyore · 26/02/2025 13:55

I used to do mini savoury muffins - chop up any veg in fridge and basic cook it (or just handfuls of spinach uncooked is fine) whisk and add eggs, self raising flour and a few chunks of cheese and bake for 20-30mins. Can be frozen too.

theboffinsarecoming · 26/02/2025 14:09

A banana.

TumbleToes · 26/02/2025 14:25

UnderHisEeyore · 26/02/2025 13:55

I used to do mini savoury muffins - chop up any veg in fridge and basic cook it (or just handfuls of spinach uncooked is fine) whisk and add eggs, self raising flour and a few chunks of cheese and bake for 20-30mins. Can be frozen too.

I might try these. I think my main concern is getting more veg in because she won't eat any raw and I haven't time to cook a proper meal at that time.

OP posts:
TumbleToes · 26/02/2025 14:27

She has three clubs a week, which is quite a lot but she gets so much out of them. Still I will review - on the other two days it's much calmer.

I'd be happy for her to have a hearty snack and less dinner on those days if it was sensibly balanced - more veg and less ham but it's just figuring out the best way to do that. She isn't overly keen on peanut butter, don't hate it but doesn't love it either.

OP posts:
TumbleToes · 26/02/2025 14:28

Oh and sorry but whoever asked: yes I'm concerned about her weight - she is low on the centile chart and previously under a dietician so it's something I need to keep on top of.

OP posts:
BarnacleBeasley · 26/02/2025 14:28

If you think the snack is becoming her main meal, are there some quick things she would eat with cooked veg? e.g. fresh filled pasta takes 3 or 4 minutes to cook and you could cook some frozen peas in the same pan.

KittenPause · 26/02/2025 14:30

Apple or banana

xmasdealhunter · 26/02/2025 14:45

Do you have a slow cooker? Would it be feasible for you to shove some stuff in in the morning (lots of dump and go recipes here 60+ Dump and Go Slow Cooker Recipes - Real Food Whole Life) so that when you come in she could have her dinner rather than a snack?

Zippedydodah · 26/02/2025 14:53

Home made soup, chuck in lots of veg and whizz it all up into a thick soup, with a roll and butter. Can freeze portions too.
Baked beans on toast or scrambled egg
Homemade quiche and potato wedges.

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