GOOD SNACKING IDEAS

Healthy snacks are important for children. Infants and children need more food, pound for pound, than any other group. However; their little tummies can’t handle too much food at any one time. When children arrive home from school, they’re hungry for a snack. So, what’s a parent to do? Provide nutritious low-cost snacks to supplement healthy meals.

• Enjoy a banana slice between two vanilla wafers.

• Fix an easy-to-eat snack by putting some raisins, nuts and a handful of dry cereal in a plastic bag, shake the bag to mix and eat. (To prevent choking, nuts should not be served to children under the age of 3.)

• Eat nutty bananas – slice a banana in half lengthwise and spread with peanut butter.

• Fill an ice cream cone with yogurt and chopped fresh fruit.

• Keep a supply of yummy Cheesy-O’s on hand. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In the oven, melt 1/3-cup margarine or butter. Stir in 1/3-cup Parmesan cheese. Add 5 cups of "O" shaped cereal and mix well. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes. Store in airtight container.

• Put pretzel sticks in cheese cubes.

• Make orange smoothies. In a large bowl, pour 1½ cups milk, a 6-ounce frozen orange juice and 1½ cups water. Add 1½ teaspoons of vanilla, if desired. Using a hand eggbeater, mix well until the mixture is foamy. Pour into glasses and enjoy. (Can also be made in a blender.)