Tasty Tuesday: Healthy Snacks

Boy, this can be a tough one to deal with on a daily basis for both you and your kids. Why? Now that school is out, the structure of your schedule can often be more flexible. Well, for working parents it’s hard to keep the routine in effect throughout the day. Since you aren’t with your children 24/7, then you have to hope they are educated enough about health and their body that they will make the right decisions.

If you are with your kids for most of the day, it’s a good idea to set up some sort of routine about snacks. If you allow two or three snack times throughout the day, one may be for ice cream or some other treat, and the others might be healthier. Below are some general options to implement in your daily life. Each of them allows for much variation.

The Veggie Tray
A good way to give your kids healthier snacks during the summer and after school is to make a veggie tray. It will allow them to try different vegetables, but it will also only give them the option of eating healthy. Oh, and yes, it’s okay to give them dip for the celery, carrots, cauliflower, or broccoli – maybe peanut butter for the celery, or ranch dressing with the carrots and other raw veggies. If you want to expand their taste buds, add something they haven’t had before and see if they try it. You never know what they may end up liking.

The Fruit Tray
Again, this is just another way to give them different options. Orange slices, apples, bananas, berries, pineapple chunks, and several other fruits will work well. The thing you need to remember is your tray doesn’t have to be boring. Add some peanut butter for dipping the apples or make fruit snacks out of several different fruits skewered on a popsicle stick, or serve the chunks on toothpicks. If you have older kids it may be a little cheesy, but for the younger ones they will enjoy it.

Remembering Milk
Unfortunately, milk has taken a backseat to Gatorade and other juices for some families today. (Not so much here – my kids LOVE milk!) A way to get your children to drink more each day is by adding a snack that goes well with milk. An alternative to cookies, try giving them graham crackers to dip in the milk. It’s a bit more of a healthier choice and there aren’t too many children who will turn their nose up to this snack.

Keep the Variety Going
You don’t have to do the same thing each week – variety is the spice of life. Try mixing up your healthy snacks, even give them some choices, and your children will be developing healthier eating habits. Not only will they enjoy it, but you will also be making this a new part of their daily routine, which will translate into healthier kids and a happier you.