The often novel snacking choices of children are a big concern for parents, who want to make sure their offspring nosh more nutritiously between meals, according to a survey commission by Saint Simons Island, Ga.-based frozen snack manufacturer Farm Rich, a Rich Products Corp. brand.

The survey found that 95 percent of parents agreed that after-school snacks give kids a necessary afternoon energy boost. Ninety percent of youngsters opt to eat before doing anything else when they return home from school, but almost half of kids aren’t under adult supervision between school and dinner, meaning that their snacks are often less healthful than parents would like.

“People have dissected kids’ eating habits at breakfast, lunch and dinner time,” noted Farm Rich senior marketing manager Jennifer Meetz. “After-school snacking is a sector that hasn’t been explored. It’s clear from this survey that it’s as important for American kids as any other meal of the day.”

The survey additionally showed that over 75 percent of parents believe satisfying hunger is the most important thing when it comes to their child’s after-school snack, while just 36 percent think being low in fat and calories is a top snack priority. Nearly half (49 percent) of parents said that six or more hours pass between the time their kids eat lunch and dinner, making the after-school snack a prime opportunity to kids to fuel up in a healthy fashion

“Balanced nutrition is probably the biggest influencer on energy and health,” said Atlanta-based registered dietitian Ilana Katz. “For a child to reach their highest potential in physical activity and health, the body as a whole must work optimally. A balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fluids all play a crucial role.”