It can be hard to assemble a healthy and satisfying lunch to send your kid off to school with, and even harder to create a nutritious snack to give them after their active day at school. Whether your children are in grade school or high school, feeding your child a well-balanced lunch and after school snack will give them the energy and nutrients to accomplish the rest of the day's tasks. Instead of sending them off to school with processed and packaged food, which can have serious effects on metabolism and blood pressure, opt for a more beneficial alternative. Fresh fruit and veggies, whole-grain foods, and low-fat dairy products are all substitutes that will limit your child's saturated fat and sodium intake. Ensuring your child eats a healthy lunch and snack will help them establish a lifetime of healthy eating habits Here are five easy and nutritious snacks that will leave your kid satisfied and happy!

Super Snacking Popcorn

Spice up your standard popcorn snack with a Bobs Red Mill alternative! Adding nuts, flaxseed, coconut flakes, and a maple syrup drizzle to popcorn will leave your kids asking for more of this delicious treat. Popcorn has an impressive content of fiber, vitamin B complex, and antioxidants, which, combined with the many health benefits of nuts, seeds, and coconut, make this super snacking popcorn a must-have in your kids lunches and after school snack.

Mini Pizzas

Mini pizzas are always a kid favorite and fun to make too! Instead of pizza dough, use a whole wheat English muffin for the crust. Spread on a tomato sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and layer with your kids favorite toppings. Your kids will enjoy being creative and coming up with new ways of flavoring their personal pizzas. We suggest making several mini pizzas and freezing them to use for other lunches for weeks to come. Although pizza wouldn't be considered the healthiest option for your child's lunch, incorporating whole-wheat crust, lots of veggies, and low-fat cheese will make for a nutritious pizza your kid will love!

Flaxseed Nachos

Instead of using basic tortilla chips for nachos, change things up by using a flaxseed-based cracker. Flaxseed has many health benefits, including vegan protein, omega 3 fats, and fiber. To make flax seed nachos, lay a handful of crackers on a baking sheet, top with shredded cheese, onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and any other topping you like, and bake for 3-4 minutes. Flaxseed nachos are a great savory snack, which kids usually crave after school.

Corn Tortilla Roll-Ups

A new take on a classic turkey and cheese sandwich. Replace bread with a corn tortilla, fill with your kids' favorite sandwich ingredients, roll it up, and stick a toothpick in the middle to hold it together. Tortilla roll-ups have always been a kid favorite because they are simple yet more exciting than a regular sandwich. Corn tortillas are a nutritious substitute to bread and will help your kid feel more energized by consuming the high content of minerals and vitamins that are found in corn.

Energy Bites

Energy bites are a healthy replacement to a traditional no-bake cookie. Combine Bobs Red Mill rolled oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, ground flaxseed, vanilla extract, honey, and your choice of dried fruit, roll into a ball, and place in the freezer to harden. Make a big batch of these little guys and your kids will devour them during lunch and as an after school snack for a pop of protein and energy! All of the ingredients in these energy bites offer considerable health benefits, which will leave you feeling less guilty about giving your kid a few of these sweet treats. If you want all the benefits of these bars but are pressed for time to make them, try one of our nutritional bars in a wide range of flavors that your kids will love. Note:Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness. Have some go-to healthy snack and lunch ideas? Share your favorites in the comments below!