Parents, the time has come. It’s been a lovely long, hot summer, but it’s finally time for your little ones to go back to school. Which means they’ll need all the energy and mental alertness they can get to be best prepared for all that learning and playing this September 2021.

And what we feed our children plays a huge role in the way their bodies and brains function. In short, certain foods can help to support them as they return to the classroom. And in turn, others can make things harder for them. Essentially all of us need certain key nutrients for our bodies and organs to function properly. These nutrients include protein, good fats and carbohydrates. So, making sure our children consume these key nutrients can set them up for school in the best way possible. Not only will nutrient rich foods help them to concentrate, it will also keep them alert and awake, make sure their immune systems are strong, and keep their bodies fit and healthy at this important time.

One of the key nutrients that our kids need in general, as well as now that they are back at school, is protein. Why? Basically, protein is considered the building block of life. It is found in all of our cells, organs, muscles, tissue and bones, and contributes to them working in the way they should. Proteins have many beneficial functions. These include helping repair cell and make new ones, carrying oxygen around the body and bloody, fighting infection, viruses and illness and giving the body energy.

So, making sure our kids have plenty of protein in their diet as they return to school will help support them through the day. And to help you incorporate more protein into your kid’s diets this back-to-school season, we’re sharing our chef’s easy protein bars recipe for you to try at home.

These easy homemade cereal bars are packed full of oats, honey and tahini or peanut butter. Moreover, they’re sugar-free, making them a delicious and healthy snack for both kids and adults. Not only are they vegan and suitable for those who are fasting, they are also raw and prepared without baking. And although we’ve given you all the ingredients available at Prinos Farm&Deli, you can also improvise by adding the superfoods and the ingredients you love. Below you’ll find a list of suggestions for optional extra ingredients, but you can also experiment with whatever you have in the kitchen.

And the best bit is you can make a big batch of these bars, store them in the fridge or even the freezer, and have enough nutritious snacks for your little ones to last throughout the week. Once you’ve tried these delicious, quick and easy protein bars, why not also experiment with some other brain boosting back to school snacks for kids.

• Back to School Easy Protein BarINGREDIENTS:
• 250 grams soft dried dates
• 1 cup ground oatmeal
• 1/2 cup whole grain cereal
• 3 tbsp lukewarm honey (optional)
• 2 tbsp peanut butter or tahini
• 1 cup raw or unsalted almonds chopped
• 100 grams chocolate
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Optional Additional Ingredients

• Raisins
• Cranberries
• Cinnamon
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Desiccated coconut

METHOD

1. Blend the dates, honey, oats, peanut butter, almonds and chia seeds together in your blender.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground dates, honey, ground oats, peanut butter, almonds and chia seeds and add the whole grain cereals broken into small pieces. Mix well with a spoon.
3. Next break the chocolate into small pieces and mix.
4. Take a square or rectangular tray and lay it with non-stick paper.
5. Pour the mixture into the tray and press it down to flatten and make the mixture compact. You can do this either with your fingers, a rolling pin or a glass with a flat base.
6. Freeze the mixture for 30 minutes before removing the tray from the freezer and cutting the mixture into long narrow cereal bars.
7. Keep the cereal bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to use throughout the week.