The dilemma of stocking up healthy snacks is of perennial nature. The constant need of coaxing and cajoling the brood to snack right and desist from caving in to tantalising but unhealthy savouries and sweets can be quite an ordeal.

A well-stocked pantry really comes in handy when your child is hungry or starts getting hunger cravings within minutes after a meal, a natural phenomenon no one can ever explain. Not far behind are the adults of the house who require energy boosters at regular intervals. Curiously enough, for adults, hunger pangs never strike as hard during the day as they do at night.

GOING NUTS

One of the healthiest options for snacks is an assortment of nuts. You can have them salted, roasted or honeyed. They are available in a number of delicious flavours and always do the trick of keeping one satiated till the next meal.

CEREALS

Did not have time to cook something up? Not to worry as a bowl of chocolate or honey cereals is a quick fix which children enjoy either with milk or even just as is.

YOGHURT AND FRUITS

Nothing gets healthier than a preferred seasonal fruit; the best kind of snack for adults and children alike. A bowl of yoghurt with fresh seasonal fruits makes for a really tasty snack.

POP THE CORN

Instant popcorn has a good shelf life and is widely available. Snack time, TV time or late night movie time, popcorn is very handy for older kids and teenagers to make on their own. Instead of store bought ones, you could opt to just make yours at home, and that too with all sorts of toppings.

SANDWICHES

Sandwiches that can be put together in a jiffy make the best kind of snacks. A grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwich is tasty and easy enough for anyone to rustle up on their own. Just make sure that no one in the household is allergic to peanut butter and you are all set.

CHEESE AND CRACKERS/BISCUITS

A slice of cheese on a crispy biscuit is all that is needed to make this one. You can always jazz it up a bit by adding a few more toppings, but this simple yet time tested snack is an all-time favourite.

MILK AND COOKIES

A variety of cookies are abundantly available in stores across the city. But nothing beats freshly baked homemade cookies. Getting the little ones to help you bake a batch adds more value to it. Served with milk, it is an instant hit with the children.

PUFFED RICE

An all-time favourite that can be concocted into delicious "jhaal muri" with everyday ingredients present at home can also spice up any snack-hour.

Snacking — we do it while we are working, relaxing or watching television. Helping your family snack right can be challenge, but keeping your pantry stocked with healthy choices is the key to achieving that goal. If you are going to snack, why not make it healthy.

Photo: Collected