Chips, candy, cookies, soda... you certainly don't want your kids diving into junk food when they get home from school. But it's unrealistic to think they'll snack on apples and carrot sticks while they're doing their homework (keep dreaming!). The ideal after-school snack should contain some nutrients but should also be a treat, says Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom, diet and nutrition editor for the Today show. "Set expectations to be reasonable," she adds.

Here, we've gathered some suggestions for making after-school snacking as healthy and kid-pleasing as possible.