Healthy Snack Options

This summer I started paying more attention to the quality of snacks I fed my kids.   It was my hope that I could sneak some nutrition into their diet!   Joining the Check-In for Check Ups  challenge helped me be more accountable and donate to a great cause.  Although it can be challenging, it is fun experimenting with new ideas and very satisfying to know my children are making habits of eating healthy.   The other day I was discussing this with one of the other She is Dallas editors, Amber, and we were talking about Check in for Check Ups and how serving kids healthy food is a conscious decision.   Then I talked her into writing about it {that is the way I am}.   So, here is Amber… My fourteen year old football player will grab almost anything after practice as an afternoon snack. He will grab a bag of chips and he will eat half the bag…if I let him. He will cook a pizza and he will eat the whole pizza…if I let him. He will also eat a whole apple and a bowl of strawberries…if they are available. He will also eat a bowl of steamed edame…if they are available. The key to healthy snacks  for me is for them to be readily available for my kids. If they are available, they will eat them. I know it can be more difficult with some children – you do have to get creative at times but I have noticed that changing things up a little can turn a regular old banana into a popsicle  and you know what? … that picky eater of mine will eat that.

Healthy Snack Options

• Fruit bowl: prepare sliced strawberries, blueberries, apples, pineapple in a small bowl readily available. Eat alongside lowfat fruit yogurt.
• Vegetable sticks: carrot, celery, baby sweetcorn, peppers and radishes with a reduced fat houmous dip
• Sliced apple and a lower fat soft cheese to dip
• Homemade trail mix including pumpkin seeds, dried peas, cranberries, walnuts, etc..
• Rice and corn cakes

Healthy Snack Options on Hotter Days

• Strawberries dipped in yogurt:  put them in the freezer for half an hour before you serve them so the yogurt goes hard.
• A frozen banana:  just put it in the freezer in its skin and serve like an ice lolly
• A handful of frozen peas: honestly, they're nice! Especially on a hot day