4 After-School Healthy Snack Hacks

These quick, easy, and actually delicious better-for-you snacks will ensure they never reach into the cabinet for a handful of greasy chips ever again. Plus, you'll get some time back to spend doing what really matters – falling asleep on the couch while they catch you up on their day.

1. Frozen Coconut-Sugared Grapes

For a quick energy boost, something sugary is too often the go-to. Ditch the refined sugar and empty calories of sports drinks, fruit snacks, and whatever other high fructose nonsense is too easy to grab in moments of desperation. Grapes have powerful antioxidants (called polyphenols), and they're heart healthy and anti-inflammatory – that's a small and mighty snack!

Here's how to make them:

• Thoroughly wash 3 cups seedless grapes in a colander
• Put in a plastic gallon-sized resealable bag with 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• Seal the bag and gently shake to evenly coat the grapes
• Allow the grapes to dry on a paper towel for 15 minutes, then put them on a sheet pan in the freezer for 2 hours

2. Grown-Up "Lunchable"

A portable cheese plate? Yes, please! But the ready-to-go ones you can find in the refrigerator aisle are often overly-processed and lacking the nutrients and protein you're looking for. Here's how to make a healthier, yummier version that will make a great add-on to any bag lunch.

• Brush CAULIPOWER plain or paleo cauliflower crust with olive oil or ghee and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Cut up the cooked crust into "crackers."
• Cube your favorite cheese or dairy-free cheese (we love Miyoko's) and leftover meat from dinner (rotisserie chicken is a great, lean option)

Pro Tip: you can make a handy container with separate compartments by placing the cauli-crackers in a mason jar and the cheese and meat cubes in a washed plastic fruit cup rested on top of the rim. Screw on the lid to secure the fruit cup container. This is also a great way to transport salad and salad dressing separately!

3. Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Skip the prep entirely and keep a variety of CAULIPOWER pizzas in your freezer for those standing-at-the-counter dinners. Kids are notoriously picky even through high school, so All-Natural Uncured Pepperoni and Three Cheese are safe bets. Lower in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium than the other gluten-free and traditional frozen pizzas out there, but with more vitamins, nutrients, and real pizza taste.

4. Vegan Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Popcorn

When you're craving something with that perfect combination of salty and sweet, a handful of this amazingly decadent, yet healthy popcorn will do the trick. We love the daily plant-based wellness inspiration from blogger, Earthy Andy. Her Salted Caramel Popcorn recipe is a vegan dream, and it's great packed with a lunch or out on the table for an after-school study session.

Feeling 2 caul 4 school yet?