Quick, Easy and Healthy After-School Snacks
By The Soyfoods Council
An array of after-school snack ideas is available, all featuring soy plant protein. Soy protein satisfies snack cravings and keeps hunger away until dinnertime.
Offering healthier after-school snacks makes sense. According to CDC health data, approximately 20 percent of U.S. children and adolescents are obese.
Also, a new study presented at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, strengthens evidence for the health benefits of isoflavone-rich soy foods for school-age children. The benefits may possibly include better attention and thinking abilities.
Water-packed tofu is a versatile soy food, with a neutral flavor. It provides about 8 grams of complete protein for a 3-ounce serving, while silken tofu offers approximately 8.5 grams. A 1/4-cup serving of textured vegetable protein, (TVP), also called textured soy protein (TSP), offers 11 to 13 grams of protein.
Soynuts have 10 grams of protein, per 1/4 cup and two tablespoons of soynut butter have approximately 7 grams of protein. Here are three easy snack ideas, featuring these soy foods: Tofu Banana “Yogurt” is made in a blender, with tofu, rather than yogurt. It’s a quick snack, consisting of a package of soft silken tofu, one ripe banana, flavored with a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and two tablespoons each of agave syrup and lemon juice. Serve it with granola and top it with fresh berries.
Cookies are a great snack, because they can be made ahead of time. Chocolate Chip Tofu Cookies build on a classic favorite. The difference is, that they incorporate oatmeal, a 1/4 cup of soy flour, TVP and water-packed soft tofu. Soy flour imparts a nutty flavor, TVP adds protein, and tofu replaces the egg and contributes to the crunch-chewy texture.
If you don’t have time to bake, No-Bake Chocolate Cookies are a convenient option. You can save yourself even more time, by making a double batch, because the cookies disappear quickly. They are also a good choice for those who avoid peanuts.
Make these satisfying cookies, with a boiled mixture of sugar, cocoa powder, soymilk and a tablespoon of butter. Add rolled oats, soynut butter, chopped soynuts and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Drop the cookies onto a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper, and allow them to cool before serving.
For complete recipes and more ideas with appeal for hungry kids, visit thesoyfoodscouncil. com. You’ll find cooking tips, free digital cookbooks to download, easy recipes, and updates on soyfoods and your health.
