Getting your child to eat healthy at school can be a daunting idea. After all, many children are picky eaters and many more of them do not want anything to do with fruits, vegetables, and many other foods that are good for them. However, if you create fun and tasty snacks that still have great nutritional value, you'll be able to save money and you can encourage your child to eat healthier foods. The following ideas will get your imagination started.

Burrito chicken salad snack

This snack seems like it would be great for adults, but kids love food that they can eat with their hands. This recipe will make one burrito. You will need: 1 tortilla (wheat, corn, or flour), a handful of greens (spinach works great), precooked grilled and cubed chicken breast (about 1/3 cup), and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can also use any salad dressing of your choice.

Create the lemon-olive oil dressing by squeezing the juice of one lime or half a lemon. Slowly pour 1/2 cup olive oil into the lemon juice while quickly whisking. Assemble the burrito by placing the greens onto the middle of the tortilla. Arrange the chicken onto the greens. Drizzle about 1/2 tablespoon of the dressing on to the chicken. Roll into a burrito.

Fruit medley

This recipe calls for a variety of fruits. Whatever fruits you have on your kitchen counter are appropriate, given that your child enjoys all of them. For this particular recipe, you will need: 1/2 cup cubed canteloupe, 1/2 sliced and cubed apple, 1/2 cup pineapple (canned works great, too), and 1/2 sliced banana. Mix all of the ingredients together and squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice into the mixture. Mix again and refrigerate.

Vegetable sticks and peanut butter (also fruit and peanut butter)

This snack is common among cafeterias and is a quick and easy way to satisfy your child's in-between-meals craving. For this recipe, you will need: 5-6 baby carrots, 2 celery stalks (remove leaves, clean, and slice to 3"-4" long pieces), and 4-5 tablespoons peanut butter. Organic peanut butter is best.

Place the peanut butter in a small container with a lid. In another container, arrange the baby carrots and celery stalks. Close the lid.

You can also change this recipe so that you use fruits, such as bananas and apples.

With these snacks, your child will want to eat healthy all the time!

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