Smart Snacking

How many times this summer do you think you will hear, "I'm hungry mom!", while your kids are constantly looking through the pantry and refrigerator!?  How about, "there's nothing to eat"!  Here are my tips for healthy snacks and ideas of how you can get kids involved and have plenty of snacks on hand!

1.  Create a sandwich bar
My son loves going to Subway. We usually always eat at a Subway when traveling, but I love creating our own "Subway" sandwiches at home.  Have all the toppings ready to go in the refrigerator such as, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pickles, jars of peppers and jalapenos, cucumber slices, mustard and other sandwich spreads.  Buy some freshly baked baguettes at your local farmers market or bakery.  Let your kids make their own sandwich creations.  

2.  Stock up on smoothie ingredients
Smoothies are a great way to get extra nutrients in while enjoying a flavorful, cold treat! Stock up on frozen fruit, coconut water, nut milk, bananas and smoothie boosters like chia seeds and flax seeds.  Freeze extra blended smoothies into popsicle molds.  I buy extra seasonal fruit at local farms and freeze it to use throughout the summer.    

3.  Have a salsa party
Salsa is the best way to enjoy the fresh flavors of the season! Get creative with different salsa creations like pineapple/mango, tomato, black bean and corn and our favorite watermelon salsa! 

4.  Stick it
Kids love to eat anything on a stick! Set up fruits and vegetables for kids to make their own kabobs such as, salad on a stick, fruit sticks, or grilled kabobs.

5.  Veggies & Dip
Keep fresh cut vegetable sticks in the refrigerator and have dip on hand such as hummus (try our red pepper, carrot or red  beet hummus).  Other great dip options are guacamole, bean dip, cashew ranch dip.  Veggies and dip make a perfect poolside snack.

6.  Wrap it Up
Make wraps using tortillas, lettuce, chard or rice paper wraps.  Add any favorite toppings, such as hummus salsa, veggies.  Check out our veggie pinwheels.

Here is list of some other great snack ideas to stock up on:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly on whole wheat bread, sprouted grain bread or gluten free bread. *Can’t have peanuts? Then try sunflower seed butter!
• Garden pasta salad
• Pita pockets stuffed with favorite ingredients
• Bagel with favorite spread
• English muffin pizzas
• Yogurt. Try  our favorite: Vanilla coconut milk yogurt
• Granola bars
• Trail Mix: Make your own with nuts, raisins, dried cereal, crackers
• Raw, unsalted nuts: cashews, almonds, walnuts

• Rice cakes
• Pretzels
• Whole grain crackers
• Flax crackers
• Tortilla chips with salsa
• Popcorn
• Kale chips
• Ants on a log: celery, peanut butter and raisins (an old classic)
• Edamame
• Applesauce
• Energy Balls, No bake cookies
• Whole grain muffins
• Banana with almond butter, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter

I hope when you hear the words, "I am  hungry, mom", your kids will open the refrigerator to find countless healthy options!  Happy summer and happy smart snacking!