In the car, after school, by the television set or at a sports event -- snacking is part of the American lifestyle. Kids of all ages love to snack, and that's good news! Because their stomachs are small and their bodies are rapidly growing, they may not be able to meet their nutrition needs with just three meals a day. Snacks can provide nutrients and food energy that are missing from their meals.

If snacks conjure up images of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, think again. Smart snack foods for people of all ages, including children, come mostly from the five food groups of the Food Guide Pyramid. The best strategy is to offer children foods with complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) combined with a protein-rich food, such as cheese or peanut butter.

The following snacks are not only flavorful, convenient and portable, but also provide valuable nutrients kids need:

• For a quick and easy protein-packed treat, offer whole wheat crackers with sliced cheese or peanut butter.
  
• Make fun fruit smoothies by combining yogurt, fresh fruit and ice cubes in a blender and serve in portable cups.
  
• For pita pizzas with pizzazz, top pita bread with pizza sauce and Mozzarella cheese. Heat in the microwave until melted.
  
• To make quesadillas in a snap, top a flour tortilla with your kids' favorite variety of shredded cheese. Warm in the oven or toast in a skillet on the stovetop until the cheese is melted.
  
• For fun-to-eat kabobs, thread cubed cheese, meat and fruit on decorative toothpicks.
  
• Keep a variety of single-serving snacks on hand for long car rides, such as raisins, pudding or fruit cups, yogurt, granola bars and snack-size cereal boxes.

Here are a few more fun ideas from our friends at Sargento®!

PARTY PLEASER PINWHEELS
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

1 (7-inch) flour or whole wheat tortilla
2 tsp. mayonnaise
1 slice bologna
1 Sargento® Cheddar Cheese Snack or
Sargento® American Cheese Snack
Ketchup (optional)
Mustard (optional)

Spread mayonnaise on tortilla. Place bologna on top. Starting at one end, roll cheese snack in bologna-lined tortilla to form a cylinder shape. Slice into 1-inch pinwheels. Serve with ketchup or mustard, if desired.


SNACK BLASTER PARTY MIX
(pictured above)
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 8

1 cup pretzel rings or mini bagel chips
1 cup peanuts or cashews
1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces
4 Sargento® Cheese Snacks (any variety)

Combine pretzels, peanuts and candy in a medium serving bowl. Cut cheese snacks crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Add to bowl and toss well. Serve immediately. Make-ahead tip: Mix ingredients in step 1 up to two days in advance; seal well. To finish preparation, add cheese and serve within 4 hours.


HAM & CHEESE ROLL UPS
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Makes: 8 snacks

8 slices deli smoked ham
8 slices Sargento' Deli Style Sliced American or Colby Cheese
2 Tbsp. honey mustard, Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard
8 (5 to 7-inch) pretzel rods

Top ham slices with cheese. Spread mustard lightly over cheese. Place pretzel rod at edge of ham; roll up.


COCKTAIL SANDWICHES
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8

1 tube (17.3 oz.) refrigerated corn biscuit dough or flaky biscuit dough
1/4 cup apple butter

Bake biscuits according to package directions. Transfer to cooling rack; cool completely. Split each biscuit in half; spread apple buffer over split sides. Layer turkey and cheese over biscuits, folding turkey to fit.

About the Author
Recipes and ideas have been reprinted with permission from our friends at Sargento®. To receive a free "good mood food" recipe booklet, please call 1-800-243-3737 ext. FN between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday. Mention that you heard of this offer from FamilyCorner.com!

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