Check out these healthy snack ideas

Well, I blinked and totally missed summer.

We are now quickly charging right into fall. Can you believe it?

As I mentioned last week, time has a way of flying by lately and even more so as I get older.

When my children were younger, my more mature friends (that is a nice way of saying my older friends) used to say "Your children are in kindergarten today, but before you know it they will be starting college."

Well you know, that is such a true statement.

Two of our children are out of college, and the other one is well on her way.

As you know by now, I love to give advice, so on that note be sure to appreciate and teach your children while you still have them at home.

Nutrition information is a good place to start in educating your children about a healthy lifestyle.

My children always had a huge snack attack when they came home from school.

At times, I wondered if they did not eat at school because they did not want everyone to know they packed their lunches.

Nevertheless, they were always starved by the time they got home.

A healthy snack was usually waiting for them when they got home from school.

Many people believe that snacking is bad because they snack on all the wrong foods.

Doughnuts, cakes, cookies and Cokes are not a good idea for a snack.

So my children learned at an early age that a snack could be something wholesome that provides nutrients that the body needs.

I am quite sure they got plenty of the unhealthy snacks, so do not feel too sorry for them.

Let’s talk about wise snacking.

Think of fueling your body with quality calories, not empty calories (those that provide no nutritional value).

Below, I have put together a list of some of my family’s favorite snacks, especially afterschool snacks.

These are fast snacks that you can even eat on the go, if you need to:

-A whole grain bagel with peanut butter (even half of a bagel will do the trick).

-A slice of thin crust veggie pizza with extra veggies on top.

-Peanut butter crackers with raisins.

-Trail mix with nuts, dried fruit and even whole grain cereal.

-Yogurt. Buy plain low-fat yogurt and flavor it with honey, cinnamon, applesauce, berries and other fruit.

-Energy bars, breakfast bars and granola bars. Just make sure you read the labels and check for low sugar and whole grains.

-Apples with peanut butter.

-One slice of whole grain bread with turkey and cheese.

-Nuts and seeds. Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other nuts and seeds are excellent for vitamin E, B vitamins and protein.

Mix them all together and throw in a container for an on-the-go healthy snack.

Today, snacks commonly make up 20-50 percent of total calories for most young people.

Snacking wisely will help your children develop an appreciation for wholesome foods that provide energy and nutrients.

LINDA STOLLINGS is a personal fitness trainer in Bristol, Tenn. E-mail her at info@fitprescriptions.com or visit www.fitprescriptions.com.