How do you feed your children in the evening when they are busy?

[tootsietoo]

DD1 (9) swims several times a week, either at 6pm or 7pm. DD2 (8) also does a couple of gym classes and we often have other things on after school too. DH is never home at a regular time so I don't plan to feed him in the evening and we've never had a regular sit down evening meal. DD1 has just said that she doesn't want to eat a proper meal before she swims (not that I usually do "proper" meals at 5pm) and I am bit lost as to what to give them. They need something when they get in, enough to give them energy for a few hours of activity, and it is often late when we have finished, a bit late for cooking food. It doesn't help that I don't enjoy making food at all, and that DD1 is overweight and DD2 is a bit too skinny so they have different intake requirements!

Please could you tell me how you do food in the evenings for busy children? Thanks.

hula-hula that's pretty much what I do now. Although more often do the half sandwich/toast at 4pm then the smoothie before bed. I am doing wraps, toasties, plates of chopped up fruit, toast, humous and yoghurt, sometimes small pasta salad with fridge leftovers. Just hoping that DD1 isn't going to pile on weight with the school dinners. I think she's ok at the moment.

Thanks all for the good ideas. I've done a load of batch cooking which is useful on busy weekends.

We have a long commute everyday plus DD (7) goes to after-school club and does extra activities. Given that we are also subject to the joys of Southern Rail, I've basically given up trying to do meals at home except at weekends.

She has hot lunch at school, a snack at after-school club and then I generally pick up supper at Wasabi - normally the mixed maki and salmon nigiri but they have loads of choice. Once a week she's allowed to go to Burger King.

I don't have a lot of options as we are all out of the house from 6.30am and so food wouldn't keep until the evening.