“Mom, I’m starving!” Is this what you hear every afternoon as soon as your child gets into the car or walks in the door? You begin to wonder if your child is eating all of his or her lunch or if the food is going straight down to the feet!

Knowing your child’s schedule will help you understand the source of that extreme hunger—especially if lunch is set at 10:30 a.m.! There are still afternoon classes and possibly recess before there will be another opportunity to eat. Some children may even have an after-school activity that keeps them busy until 4:00 p.m. or later.

Here a few tips for satisfying their hunger:

• If you pick up your child from school, take a snack along for the ride home.
• If your child rides the bus, have a designated place—maybe the kitchen table or island—with an after-school snack waiting.
• For children with an after-school activity, pack an extra snack with their lunch.
• Place a homemade fruit or vegetable tray on the table while you are preparing dinner.

Remember to choose snacks that are low in sugar, fat, and salt. Be creative. Fruit and cheese kabobs, yogurt pops, and smoothies are all wonderful, healthy ideas. Parents.com and FamilyEducation.com are great resources for healthy snacks.

Let your child be involved in choosing which snacks he or she will like best. Plan and prepare together for some extra bonding time. Experiment and discover what works best for your family. By planning ahead, you can tame that starving monster into a person that you’ll recognize as your child!