After a long day of school, you get home and head straight to the pantry.  You often find yourself reaching for potato chips, candy, and cookies, rather than the nutritious foods your body requires. What are some healthy alternatives that still satisfy your overwhelming hunger?  

One creative, healthy snack you can quickly make after school is, “Ants on a Log.”  With simple ingredients and a short preparation time, Ants on a Log, is the perfect after school snack for on the go.  You might have eaten this snack in elementary school, but it doesn’t go out of style.

Ants on a Log

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of reduced-fat cream cheese (if you prefer, you can substitute peanut butter or Nutella for cream cheese)
• 2 celery stalks, trimmed
• 1/4 cup assorted small dried fruit (such as cherries, cranberries, raisins,etc.)

Directions:

1. Wash and trim celery stalks.
2. Spread cream cheese inside each celery stalk.
3. Arrange dried fruit on top, and cut celery in half.

If you need something a little more substantial after a long day at school, try “Turkey Club Pinwheels.”  These snack size wraps are a good substitute for your average sandwich.  Different ingredients can be substituted or added to satisfy personal preferences.

Turkey Club Pinwheels

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon dry ranch powder
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
• 1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon
• 4 – 8 inch soft tortilla shells
• 8 slices deli ham
• 8 slices deli turkey
• shredded romaine lettuce
• 24 grape tomatoes

Directions:

1. Mix together the cream cheese, yogurt, and ranch powder.
2. Spread a spoonful of dip over each tortilla.
3. Sprinkle the cheese and bacon on top of the dip.
4. Place 2 slices of ham and 2 slices of turkey on each tortilla. Then layer some lettuce on top of the meat.
5. Gently roll up and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one hour. Cut each tortilla in 6 slices.
6. Top with a toothpick and grape tomato. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Makes 24 pinwheels or 4 roll ups.

To add some crunch and flavor to your assortment of after school snacks, whip up some homemade pita chips with only four simple ingredients.

Homemade Pita Chips

Ingredients:

• 3 pieces of pita bread, cut into 8 wedges
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut pitas into 8 wedges.
3. Pour olive oil into a bowl and add garlic, salt and pepper.
4. Brush pita chips olive oil and garlic mixture.
5. Arrange pita chips on baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Despite our attempts to remain healthy, we all have our chocolate cravings from time to time.  This recipe satisfies the cravings, while sticking with a nutritious, healthy diet.  These chocolate banana pops can be made the night before and kept in the freezer.

Chocolate Banana Pops

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 firm-ripe bananas, cut into small chunks
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
• 1 tablespoon sprinkles (optional)
• toothpicks

Directions:

1. Peel and cut bananas into quarters.
2. Insert a toothpick into each banana piece.
3. Arrange bananas, toothpick side up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet
4. Freeze until firm, 2 hours.
5. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips in 10-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
6. Working quickly, dip each banana piece in chocolate, shake off any extra chocolate
7. Before the chocolate solidifies, sprinkle sprinkles over bananas
8.  Chocolate should set quickly, but if necessary, freeze pops to harden coating before serving.
9. Enjoy!

Lastly, to quench your thirst after a long day, there’s nothing better than a classic smoothie.  These banana oat smoothies are a quick fix that fill you up fast!

Banana Oat Smoothies

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 banana, cut into thirds
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine oats, yogurt, banana, fat-free milk,honey, and cinnamon; puree until smooth. Serve immediately.