Snacks are a necessary part of kids' diets because they need to refuel more often than adults. Healthy snacks have vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients for growing bodies. Kids will more likely try new foods if they help prepare their own healthy snacks. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Fruits and Vegetables
Raw, fresh fruits and vegetables are often more appealing than cooked, especially if they are cut up and served with a dip. Offer fresh carrots, celery, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower florets, cucumber and snap peas with a dip made of ranch dressing and cottage cheese. Other dip options include hummus, or low-fat sour cream seasoned with dill and chives.
Cut a variety of fresh fruits such as pineapple, apples, pears, mangoes, melons and peaches into cubes and let your children fashion their own fruit kabobs on bamboo skewers. Make fruit dip with low-fat yogurt, or sour cream with a little honey or maple syrup added. Make smoothies by blending together fresh or frozen fruit, milk or yogurt, fruit juice and ice in any combination. Dried fruit mixed with nuts and cereal makes a good and healthy portable snack that you can keep on hand for long car rides or errand days.
Proteins and Whole Grains
Proteins make great snacks when combined with fiber-rich whole grain products. Cheese cubes and sticks, cottage cheese and yogurt all provide calcium, as well as a healthy portion of protein. Peanut butter, hard-cooked eggs and beans are also good sources of protein. Top whole grain crackers with cheese slices, cottage cheese or peanut butter for a super quick and easy snack. Stuff a whole grain tortilla with shredded cheese and a spoonful of salsa. Microwave for a minute or two to melt the cheese. Serve baked whole grain chips with hummus, or warmed fat-free re-fried beans topped with shredded cheese. Make a quick pizza by topping whole grain English muffins or miniature pita bread with bottled pizza sauce and shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese. Add whatever chopped veggies you have on hand and bake until the cheese has melted and bread has toasted.
Tags: whole grain, cottage cheese, fresh fruits, shredded cheese, sour cream, with shredded