10 Foods I Used to Serve My Kids After School That I’ve Now Banished From My House

There's no getting around it; whenever kids come home for school they are ravished. After all, they put in a long day of work. It's easy to reach for the first processed snack in the cabinets. However, when it comes to our kids' health, there are many healthier snacks that we could choose from. These unhealthy foods are now banished from my house. Let's look at what makes them unhealthy and what to choose for your kid's after-school snack instead.

For a snack with the word fruit in it, you would think health would be a given. Yet, there are both benefits and negatives to grabbing a pack of fruit snacks. The calories are low, and some fruit snacks contain vitamins A and C. However, fruit snacks also contain a ton of sugar and some trans-fat. Additionally, they tend to be loaded with colors and dyes. Which is one reason these unhealthy foods are now banished from my house.

Instead, a better option to give your kids is fresh fruit like apples, bananas, or berries.

Energy drinks may make children and adults feel a quick pick me up, but they aren't great for our health. Many come with health risks that aren't worth it, especially for children.

Energy drinks can decrease insulin sensitivity and put a person at risk for anxiety, hallucinations, headaches, depression, and more. Additionally, energy drinks may also put one at risk of having a stroke.

If your child is coming home tired from school, make it a priority to ensure they get plenty of rest at night.

Yogurt can be very healthy, especially yogurts like Kefr and Greek. However, when we get into the territory of flavored yogurt, that's when the health benefits can start to decrease.

Flavored yogurt tends to be full of sugar. Some tubes of flavored yogurt can contain up to 15 grams or more of added sugar. So, when in doubt, opt for unflavored plain or Greek yogurt.

Any of the baked processed pantry snacks are far from healthy for children. They are highly processed and full of added preservatives. Goldfish are one of the foods that are now banished.

Goldfish snacks also have too much sodium and minimal nutrients. This and the additives make them better left on the store shelves.

Instead, try giving your child fresh vegetables for that added crunch.

Pop-Tarts are another processed breakfast or snack food that is better to say no to. They are highly processed with refined flour and soybean oil and contain too much sugar. This sugar includes refined white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and corn syrup.

Fructose is known to increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. If your child loves to have a sweet treat after school, try baking homemade banana or zucchini bread. You can control the ingredients in the bread, and you will still get something sweet.

Kids love macaroni and cheese. What's not to love? It's easy, convenient, pasta, and cheesy! However, boxed macaroni and cheese have been linked to phthalates, a chemical that makes plastics more flexible.

Furthermore, mac and cheese is also very highly processed. It contains a ton of sodium and a high amount of saturated fat.

Hot dogs are also another loved snack and meal for kids. However, consuming them actually comes with health risks. They contain high amounts of sodium that can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Additionally, hot dogs contain nitrates and nitrites. These additives come with the risk of cancer.

Lunchables seemingly make the perfect after-school snack. They contain just the right number of crackers, meat, and cheese and sometimes you can find breakfast lunchables. Some even come with a tasty little treat. Yet, don't go reaching for one of these just yet.

Since lunchables are highly processed meat, they contain ingredients that can increase the risk of cancer. Furthermore, they are high in sodium and may have heavy metals and phthalates.

Sugary breakfast cereals may be addicting for some kids, but the high levels of sugar can be concerning. Too much sugar increases blood pressure, affects insulin, and puts kids at risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes down the line.

So, if your kid is a huge fan of sugar, try opting for a healthier brand.

Potato chips are addicting and sometimes oh-so-tasty. But they also come with risks, especially when consumed in high amounts. If anyone has eaten potato chips, you know it's hard to eat a few!

Potato chips have high sodium levels and little to no nutritional value. Additionally, they are fried, which means they contain high levels of unhealthy fats, like saturated and trans fats.

Finding the perfect snack isn't always easy. Kids can be picky and sometimes, the healthiest foods are more expensive. While junk food isn't always terrible in moderation, it's important not to let your kids eat unhealthy levels of processed food daily. The risk these foods come with are why they are now banished. Instead, make sure to add in some healthier choices. Before you know it, your kids may be reaching for the cottage cheese or the apple instead of the goldfish or potato chips.