Your kids are back to school, which means you have to start preparing their meals ahead of time to keep up with your busy schedule. One of the most important parts of the day is afterschool time, when your kids come home and need a snack before dinner is on the table. Before you let them raid the pantry and grab the snacks with high sugar content, think about making some of these snacks that are not only healthy, but they also only take little time to prepare.

Raspberry Orange Smoothie
2/3 cup orange juice
¾ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
10 ounces frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon milled flax
1 teaspoon honey

Put all of the ingredients into a blender. Pulse for 20 to 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.

Frozen Grape Pops
This frozen treat is not only healthy for your kids, but it’s easy to eat and very refreshing. Use any grapes that your kids like. You’ll also need lollipop sticks, which are eight inches long. First, wash the grapes and dry them on a paper towel. Skewer six to eight grapes on each stick. Place the grape sticks in a freezer safe bag and into the freezer. Take out the frozen grapes right when your kids get home from school.

Ham Pinwheels
4 whole wheat tortillas
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
¼ teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground
2 green onions, minced
½ cup green pepper, finely chopped
½ pound thinly sliced deli ham

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, green onion, green pepper and black pepper. Evenly spread this mixture on the whole wheat tortillas. Next, layer the ham on top of the cream cheese mixture. Roll up the tortillas as tight as possible. If possible, chill for two hours before cutting into one inch slices.

Popcorn Trail Mix
1 package of popped popcorn, 50 percent less fat and lightly salted
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup sunflower seeds
2/3 cup raw, unsalted almonds
1/3 cup dried cranberries
½ cup dices dried apricots

Promptly remove the popcorn from the microwave and empty the bag into a large bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the hot popcorn. In a separate bowl, combine the sunflower seeds, almonds, cranberries and apricots, mixing well. Combine this mixture with the popcorn. This will make approximately four to six servings.

Cheesy Chex Mix
3 cups Chex cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup cheese crackers (like Cheez-Its)
¾ cup grated parmesan
½ stick melted butter
Pinch of garlic powder

Combine the cereal, pretzels and cheese crackers. Add the grated parmesan, and then add the melted butter and pinch of garlic. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 325 degrees F.