Healthy Snacks for Kids

It's summer and the kids are out of school. If your kids are like most, you've probably heard the constant "I'm hungry!" Don't buy into the easy snacks of cookies and chips--even the baked variety have very low nutritional value. Try out these healthy snacks between meals to help beat summer time hunger.

For a nutritious snack that is perfect for on-the-go, why not try granola? Granola is a great snack because it is so versatile. You can add anything from dried fruit and nuts to cereal and coconut. Because of this, it can be customized to please even the pickiest eater. Use this easy recipe as a base, then add whatever you wish.

2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. oil
non-stick vegetable spray

Mix oats, almonds, sunflower seeds and coconut in a mixing bowl. Stir honey and oil together in a separate bowl, then combine with oat mixture. Spread out on a sprayed baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until golden. Pour into a clean bowl and stir in whatever else you like, such as raisins, Cheerios, etc.

Another easy snack is fruit and dip. You can include any type of fruit your kids like, but try strawberries, apple slices, and pineapple. For the dip, beat one cup of softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add one cup of pineapple yogurt a little at a time, blending with mixer on low. Fold in one cup of whipped topping and 1/4 c. coconut. Chill at least 15 minutes before serving.

For a nutritious drink, make Very Berry Smoothies. Combine 3/4 c. blueberries, 3/4 c. raspberries, 1 1/4 c. vanilla yogurt, 1/4 c. milk, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until smooth. For fruit straws, slice strawberries and bananas and slide into drinking straws.

For a fun snack, try fruity kabobs. To make this, cut one large apple into eight slices and a large banana into one inch slices. Carefully push a skewer through an apple wedge, then a marshmallow. Spread a dollop of peanut butter on top of the marshmallow. Add a banana slice, then another marshmallow (with more peanut butter). Alternate fruit and marshmallows until the skewer is full.

For a snack high in calcium, chunk up an assortment of cheese. Colby and mozzarella work well. For a fun way to eat it, stick a pretzel stick in each cube. Add green and purple seedless grapes and you have a well-rounded nutritious snack.

These are just a few ideas to help beat summer time hunger with your kids. You can substitute any type of fruit for each one listed, and the recipes can be altered to fit your kids' tastes. This summer, toss out the junk food and bring in low-calorie snacks that your kids are sure to love.