If you're like most parents, incorporating healthy snacks into your child's daily menu can often seem like an exercise in futility. Let's face it: planning nutritious alternatives takes time and energy, both of which are often in short supply for today's busy families.

One way to ensure sound kids' nutrition is to be realistic about your healthy snack planning. Instead of setting your sights on a time-consuming spinach dip or homemade zucchini bread, make sure you have some easy basics on hand. Keep a bowl of bananas, apples, and oranges around for quick, on-the-go fueling. Baby carrots and ranch dipping sauce provide another nutritious alternative. Sometimes a simple substitution, such as whole-wheat crackers instead of white saltines, can make a big difference. And don't assume it's bad just because it's in a bag -- plenty of healthy snacks for kids are available in pre-packaged form, such as peanuts, trail mix, raisins, and pretzels.