It is always the same conundrum...what to send with the kids for the "snack time" at school. As an aside, let me just say that when I was in school, there was no snack time. Nor did we get snacks after softball games, basketball games or any games. There was no designated person each day or time that was required to bring 11 juice boxes (when there are only 10 in a box) and a snack, healthy or otherwise. Where did this idea come from that every physical or mental movement our kids make needs to be finished off with a snack? I digress, I'll step off my soap box for now...
As I was saying, I always have a hard time figuring out what to send with the kids to school for snack. There is the endless battle of what I will let them eat vs. what they want to eat. Having done my own private research on blood sugar levels in kids - with four swimmers, I have a pretty good idea of what is considered a sustainable snack - I do not like sending mindless carbohydrates with them. This will only set them up for the blood sugar drop, ie. sleepy time around 1pm and a craving for more of it. If they want the pre-packaged stuff, I insist they take some sort of protein with them. Usually this is a cheese stick or peanut butter, because a piece of chicken is sort of awkward to carry around.
Having watched my favorite "celebrity chef" (Ina Garten) make granola bars - something I've always wanted to make - I decided to try her recipe and give the kids something good to eat during the school day. I changed up the recipe a little, adding only the fruit and nuts I had on hand (cranberries and pecans instead of dates, dried apricots and almonds) and I added a slight sprinkling of salt to the top (I always think really sweet things like this need a balance) and they turned out really, really well. Earning top kudos from my kids, "these are much better than I thought they would be," says my oldest. Ringing praise coming from her! They have honey and brown sugar in them, so they are by no means low calorie, but the sugar is balanced by the nuts and the whole grains - they also have whole rolled oats and wheat germ. So the sugar will be released more slowly than a packet of cookies, or even a piece of fruit by itself. Adding a cheese stick and water makes is a really balanced snack!
The kids are so excited (and anxiety ridden - high school freshman in the mix) about the first day of school. I'm excited too, if only to get our schedule back. ...K
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