Nearly 1 in 5 kids and teens in the U.S. are obese. So, it’s important for parents, coaches and others to make sure kids have access to healthier foods — including post-play snacks.
Often kids are rewarded with unhealthy foods and sugary drinks. But there are lots of healthier choices that not only taste great but also are better for them.
So, the next time your child finishes their football game, ballet class or playing outside with friends, offer them one of these healthy post-play snacks.
| Instead of... |
Choose... |
| Sugar-sweetened beverages |
- Fat-free or low-fat milk
- 100% fruit juice
- Low-sodium 100% vegetable juice without added sugar
- Water or infused water
- 100% fruit smoothies without added sugar
|
| Chips and crackers |
- Unsalted sunflower seeds, walnuts, pecans or almonds mixed with whole-grain, low-sugar cereal and unsweetened dried fruit
- Whole-grain crackers
- Fat-free or low-fat cheese sticks
- Apples or orange slices
- Bananas
- Carrot or celery sticks with low- or no-added-sugar/low-sodium peanut butter
- Plain fat-free/low-fat yogurt or fat-free/low-fat no-sugar-added fruit yogurt
|
| Sweets and baked goods |
- Canned fruit in their own juice with no sugar added
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Fresh fruit or unsweetened dried fruit, such as unsweetened raisins and cranberries
- Fresh or frozen bananas or grapes
- Baked apples without added sugar
- Fat-free or low-fat no-added-sugar yogurt
- Sugar-free ice pops with 100% fruit juice
|
Last Reviewed: Sep 9, 2025
