If your child is a mealtime veg-dodger, snacks can be a brilliant way to introduce a little more nutrition into their diet. Yes it's easier to open a packet, but some of the ideas below take minutes to put together or can be batch made and stored for when hunger strikes.
Or for bonus points, why not get your kids involved in making the snack? Rolling rainbow sushi, creating rice cake faces or threading veggies and cheese on a stick are all brilliant for familiarising kids with vegetables, developing fine motor skills and taking ownership of what they eat.
Ants on a Log
Spread sticks of celery with your favourite nut or seed butter and top with raisins. For kids who need a little more convincing of the merits of celery, try replacing the nut butter with Nutella. Or spread with hummus or cream cheese and top with pumpkin seeds for a savoury alternative.
Crudites with Hummus or Nut Butter
A classic because it tastes great. Try classic carrot, cucumber and red pepper or branch out with sugar snap peas, radishes, celery or baby corn.
Tomato & Mozzarella Kebabs
Thread cherry tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls onto cocktails sticks - add black olives or basil leaves if you're feeling fancy.
Rice Cake Faces
Spread a rice cake with crushed avocado or nut butter then let your little one decorate as they like - cucumber eyes, carrot hair, a sweetcorn smile - using whatever fresh or cooked veg you have in the fridge.
Chocolate Avocado Mousse Pots
Blend ripe avocado with banana, medjool dates and cocoa powder, spoon into pots and top with fresh or frozen fruit for a nutritious but decadent treat.
Courgette & Sweetcorn Fritters
Add grated courgette & a drained tin of sweetcorn to a batter of eggs, flour and cheese, shape into patties and bake for a quick and easy hand held after school snack.
Rainbow Veg Sushi Rolls
Lay out nutritious nori wraps, some seasoned sushi rice and your choice of thinly sliced veg - carrot, cucumber, sweet peppers, avocado, red cabbage, beetroot - and set your kids to work. Sushi rolls are as much fun to make as they are to eat!
Sweet Potato Toast
Have you ever made sweet potato toast? It might seem like a gimmick but also tastes great with any of your favourite toast toppings - crushed avocado or nut butter with sliced banana are our favourites.
Crostini
Crostini are an Italian starter of toasted breads with all sorts of delicious toppings. Try slicing and toasting thin rounds of baguette and topping with chopped tomatoes, smashed avocado or broad beans.
Veggie Chips
Slice courgette, aubergine or sweet potato into chips, crumb and bake for a crisp, nutritious alternative to regular potato chips. Keep an eye out for a delicious crispy cheesy veggie chip coming in June's Veggienauts Club Box.