Giving kids an afternoon snack of graham crackers may help get more whole grains in their diets, according to the findings of a new University of Minnesota study.

For the study, researchers served graham snacks with four levels of whole-grain flour content to about 100 elementary school children in an after-school program. The scientists measured how much of each kind of snack was thrown away uneaten.

They found that students ate just as many crackers with higher whole-grain content as the more processed versions.

Although federal nutrition guidelines recommend at least three servings a day of whole-grain foods, previous studies have found that children typically only eat about one serving per day, largely because they don’t like the taste or texture of whole-grain foods.

"Graham snacks provide a healthy, highly acceptable whole grain food that kids love to eat," said the study’s lead author, Len Marquart. " This is an excellent way for kids to get up to an additional serving of whole grain per snacking occasion."

Other kid-friendly whole grain food sources include cereals, sandwiches made with whole grain bread or wraps, whole wheat pasta and popcorn.