For most families, summertime is synonymous with fun, sun, and plenty of indulgent snacks. Try as we might, it’s not always easy to keep kids fueled with summer snacks that are both nutritious and delicious. Below are some creative ideas for healthy summer snacks that your kids will love.
1. Homemade Fruit Popsicles
Chop up 1/2 cup each of bananas, watermelon, strawberries, and pineapple, and mix with 1/2 cup of orange juice. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 3 to 4 hours. When it’s time to pull them out of the freezer, run some warm water over the molds in order to loosen up the popsicles and remove them from the molds.
2. Peaches & Cream FroYo
Peach season reaches its peak in the summer months, and you’ll hardly find a tastier treat to beat the heat than this Peaches & Cream FroYo. You will need an ice cream maker for this one, so be sure to have your equipment ready before you begin.
Ingredients:
• 5 medium-sized peaches (peeled and diced)
• 1/2 cup of low-fat plain yogurt (plain)
• 1 1/2 cup of low-fat Greek yogurt (plain)
• 1/4 cup of vanilla sugar
Over medium heat, combine the diced peaches and vanilla sugar in a small saucepan, bringing it to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes until the mixture thickens, and then take it off the heat and allow it to cool completely. Whisk the yogurts well in a large bowl, then transfer them to the ice cream maker. Using the manufacturer’s recommendations as a guide, mix until the yogurts get frosty and thick (approx. 10 to 12 minutes). Now add in the peach mixture and continue churning for another 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
3. Fruit Kabobs
A little fruit and some 8-inch wooden skewers can go a long way. Skewer up some thick slices of kiwi and bananas, cubes of watermelon and cantaloupe, and some whole grapes, blueberries and strawberries for a fruit kabob that will be just as gorgeous as it is delicious. You can make it a family affair by letting the kids take on skewering duty as you’re slicing and dicing the fruits.
4. Cracker Sandwiches
You can make mini-turkey sandwiches by using Ritz crackers instead of slices of bread. With three simple ingredients–sliced turkey, sliced cheese (cheddar or Colby jack) and whole wheat Ritz crackers–you can create nutritious, easy-to-handle snacks that are surprisingly filling.
5. Melon Pops
With a nice set of shaped cookie cutters and some watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon, you can transform these delicious fruits into a parade of melon pops. Use the cookie cutter to cut the melons into various fun shapes (e.g., hearts, stars, etc.), and then put them on a stick and serve. Hey, it’s a universal law that practically any food is more fun when it’s on a stick!
When the kids’ tummies are rumbling, you don’t always have to defer to artificially sweetened, preservative-laden snacks that have little nutritional value. Keep the above ideas in mind to serve your kids healthy summer snacks that will be nutritious and fun to eat!
