12 nutritious snack ideas

Out of ideas at snack time? Check out this list of healthy treats to try out on your kids

Pop reduced-fat microwave popcorn, then sprinkle on Parmesan cheese (about a tablespoon per 3 cups of popped corn).

Sweet green soybeans, called edamame, can be found in the freezer section of many large supermarkets and in Asian markets. They're tasty and fun to eat because you stick the whole bean in your mouth and pull the pea pod out with your fingers! Simply steam and sprinkle with salt, or boil in salted water until hulls easily pull away from the bean.

Dried strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are readily available in most stores year-round. Try more exotic fruits too like pineapple, mango, and papaya strips. You can make a great high energy treat by mixing dried fruit and nuts like almonds or walnuts and placing out in a bowl.

Toast a slice of cinnamon-swirl bread and top it with peanut butter and a few mini chocolate chips strategically placed in the shape of a smiling face.

An especially easy and nutritious choice. Offer it as a dessert, or spread it on a piece of warm toasted whole wheat bread

A little bit of chocolate makes trail mix even better! Mix 1 cup of a high-fiber (3 grams or more per serving), low-sugar cereal with 1/4 cup of dried fruit and 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips or 1/8 cup of mini M&Ms.

What could be easier? It's best to choose varieties packed in their own juice or water. Avoid brands packed in sugary, high fructose corn syrup.

Slice frozen grapes small and serve them up like candy! They're crispy and naturally sweet. A perfect year-round treat.

A classic treat that kids will gobble up. Simply spread celery stalks with peanut butter and top with raisins. Kids enjoy making this as well as eating it.

Here's a sweet dip that takes just a few minutes to make. Mix a small container (15 1/2 ounces) of low-fat ricotta cheese with 4 tablespoons of peanut, almond, or soy-nut butter and 2 tablespoons of honey. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or raw vegetables.

This smoothie has layers kids will love. Mix 1/2 cup thawed frozen berries with 6 ounces of yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Kids can help you to whip this by hand, pour into tall glasses, and top with 1/4 cup of low-fat granola.

It pays to have some spaghetti sauce on hand. Top an English muffin with the sauce and a sprinkling of reduced-fat shredded cheese. Bake for a few minutes in a toaster oven.