Texas Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Division
Suggestions for Nutritious Snacks

Beverages

• Fruit juices
• Fruit smoothies
• Milk, non-fat or low-fat, plain or flavored
• Approved sparkling or plain water

Low-fat Grain Foods

• Mini-bagel bread sticks
• Animal crackers
• Graham crackers
• Soft pretzel, plain or flavored
• English muffin
• Hard Pretzels
• Mini rice cakes, flavored
• Low-fat sports bars
• Fig Newtons
• Baked tortilla chips with salsa
• Low-fat fruit or grain muffin (3 oz)
• Vanilla wafers
• Dry cereal, individual servings

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

• In-season, fresh fruit
• Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower with low-fat dip or salad dressing

Additional Treats

• 100% fruit snacks
• Fruit bars
• Frozen low-fat yogurt
• Frozen fruit bars
• Low-fat pudding, plain
• Fat free popcorn or as a parfait
• Beef jerky - 95% fat free
• Yogurt splits (yogurt, banana Peanut butter and crackers with toppings) or parfaits
• Low-fat string cheese
• Low-fat sandwich cookies
• Fruit, nut and/or grain trail mixes
  (chocolate or vanilla)

Entrée Suggestions for School Parties

• Salads made with pasta, meat,
• Bean burrito and/or vegetables
• Grilled or baked vegetable or cheese quesadilla
• Pasta with marinara sauce
• Sub sandwiches
• Pizza bagels (or English muffins)
• Tortilla wraps filled with meat and/or vegetables
• Baked potato with vegetable or chili topping

Non-Food Reward Ideas

Nonfood reward ideas that can be given to students as a reward based on the discretion of the teacher and/or principal are as follows:

• Pencils
• Stars
• Stickers
• Certificates
• Coupons for extra computer time
• Rulers
• Free time, reading time, etc.
• Movie coupons

Food for Instructional Purposes

As a general rule, food should not be used for instructional purposes, unless the food is needed for teaching students about nutrition or foods of different cultures. In each case, the foods may not be foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) or candy (including chocolate). The foods served in these cases are intended to be for taste only and may not take the place of a meal or be provided during the student's breakfast or lunch period. The food may not be provided or sold to other students or classes. See district policy FFA (Local) and FFA (Exhibit) for "Food for Instructional Purposes".