That's why dietitians suggest reduced-fat peanut butter and cheeses. Fehlen recommends Mootown's reduced-fat cheese sticks and Laughing Cow's light cream cheese. That's because the cheese is a good source of protein and kids can get some carbohydrates from whole-grain crackers, such as Triscuits. Peanut butter, nuts, milk, yogurt or meat. Our metabolisms are designed to have them in combination.
Snacks are almost as important as a kid's meals.
And at many elementary schools, children in the lower grades are given time for snacks - particularly if they eat lunch very early or very late. Make a big batch. Then you can scoop it out any time - and toss a handful into a lunch baggie. Instead of Oreos or chocolate-chip cookies, try fig bars, graham crackers, animal crackers and ginger snaps. At some schools, teachers reward students who bring fruit for a snack.