Healthy after school/before practice snacks

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Once school starts next week, my son will be getting off the bus at 4:15 (I'll be getting home from work just in time to get him off the bus), then has to be at Football practice 2 nights a week from 6-8pm. We can't get dinner done in that time (and I don't want him eating a full meal just before practice), so I'm looking for some good, healthy, snack ideas to give him as soon as he gets home, then hoping to plan some quick/easy light dinners for after practice. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Apple with peanut butter
granola bars
dry cereal
veggies with a little dip
plenty of water
pb&j sandwich
any type of fruit

 

[K and K's Mommy]

When we have that kind of schedule, I find I need to get some protein in them also.

graham crackers with cream cheese
mini bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter
cheese sticks with popcorn or goldfish or pretzels
cereal with milk
nuts (only one of my three will eat nuts though)
trail mix

Have you ever done English muffin pizzas? That's a good one for eating one before practice and one after practice. I put some pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese on an English muffin, broil for a couple of minutes, and you are done.

 

[StephMK]

To add to the above list:
PB & graham crackers
string cheese
mac & cheese
trail mix

Easy dinners:
Spaghetti
tacos
crockpot or rotisserie chicken
soup/bread
quesadillas -with leftover chic, meat or cheese
lasagna - premade & re-heat
grilled cheese & salad
chef salad
leftover chic on salad

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We have the same problem. I do fruit and tuna sandwhiches. (or other light sandwhiches)!!!

 

[sksjasams]

Definitely try to choose something with protein. When my son was younger I would give him string cheese or a piece of ham or turkey lunchmeat rolled up like a stick. He is almost 11 now and has a bigger appetite. I usually make him a Lean Pocket or a sandwich before practice. Make sure your son drinks plenty of water too.

 

[barbmouse]

Grilled cheese (we like them on tortillas) use cheddar cheese and dip in salsa...easy and yummy!!

PB and banana sandwich
trail mix
apples with pb or caramel dip (we like to heat the dip)
cheese and crackers

I second the English muffin pizzas...quick and good!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Great suggestions! Thanks!

I had to laugh at the Taco's suggestion for a quick dinner. I thought that would work too. Got home Monday after practice and tried to whip up some quickly. They took longer than i had planned and I must have rushed them along and had too much juice in the meat. They made the shells (hard and soft) soggy and everytime DS5 tried to pick up his soft taco and take a bite, the shell would get a hole in it and all the stuffing would fall out. He got so frustrated and had a little meltdown. He was just sitting there staring at his plate. When I asked him what was wrong he said "Everything is just WRONG! The coaches are yelling, the tacos are soggy, Uncle Robby is in Disney World, Ashley went to Hershey Park with Granny and got to ride all the rides - Everything is just WRONG!" Poor little guy's first lesson that life doesn't always go as planned. - I didn't dare remind him that he just spent 2 days in Hershey Park 2 weeks ago and spend 2 weeks in Disney World last May!! Not to mention camping, water parks, the train museum, etc, etc. I just said "How about a PB&J sandwich". He said "OK" and happily ate his PB&J and headed off to bed. When my Mom asked him about it the next day he just said "Well the taco's were soggy!" I guess next time I'll make sure the meat is cooked long enough!!

 

[CLR4321]

I would say to get some protein meal bars. I eat Slim Fast ones for breakfast (basically the same thing), and those last me well into the early to mid afternoon without getting hungry. The protein would also be good for him since he will be doing high energy activity immediately afterward.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We're in the same boat with XC--practice 5-7pm. Naturally, DD doesn't want to load up before she runs.

She typically eats a banana, about an hour before she goes. They're good for exertion, have lots of potassium. She also likes a bowl of cereal. Yogurt goes down easy, too. I typically have her drink Propel, too--make sure she has the vitamins she needs.

How old is your son? Can he find his way around the kitchen himself? If so, I would have him make a list of foods he likes, and post it on the fridge. That way, you can have the items handy, and he's not always asking Mom to fix him something. I'm a big fan of putting the responsibility on the kid, at least a little. My kids are also free to add anything to my Wal-Mart and grocery shopping lists.

 

[mjkacmom]

With 5 kids in a heavy activity schedule, it's rare that everyone is home at the same time. There are at least 2 kids missing at any given time between after school and bedtime. Therefore, we rely on simple dinners, that can be eaten in shifts. Sandwiches, english muffin pizzas, tacos... Once in a while, most of us are home, and I make a real sit-down dinner, but that is usually over the summer. Of course, our bedtimes are 8, 8:30, and 9.