Healthy Post-Play Snacks

happy kids laying on blanket outdoors

Nearly 1 in 5 kids and teens in the U.S. are overweight or obese. So, it’s important for parents, coaches and others to make sure kids have access to healthier foods — including post-play snacks.

Often kids are rewarded with unhealthy foods and sugary drinks. But there are lots of healthier choices that not only taste great but also are better for them, too.

So, the next time your child finishes their football game, ballet class or playing outside with friends, offer them one of these healthy post-play snacks.

Instead of...	Choose...
Sugar-sweetened beverages	Fat-free of low-fat milk 100% fruit juice Low sodium vegetable juice Water or infused water Fruit smoothies
Chips and crackers	Unsalted sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans or almonds mixed with whole-grain, low-sugar cereal and unsweetened dried fruit Whole-grain crackers Fat-free or low-fat cheese sticks Unsalted rice cakes Apples or orange slices Bananas Carrot or celery sticks with low-sodium peanut butter Plain, fat-free/low-fat yogurt or fat-free/low-fat, no-sugar-added fruit yogurt
Sweets and baked goods	Canned fruit in their own juice, with no sugar added Unsweetened applesauce Fresh or unsweetened dried fruit Frozen bananas or grapes Raisins Baked apples Fat-free or low-fat no-added-sugar yogurt Sugar-free or low added sugar ice pops