Snacks play a vital role in everyone's metabolism, adults and children alike. Eating nutritious foods every few hours keeps the body's blood sugar from dropping, which in turn helps with weight management, energy levels and brain power. Variety is important when it comes to food choices, even in your daily snacks. Research different recipes to create your own family favorites. Allow your children to be part of the snack planning process; take them grocery shopping and let them chop, bag and help prepare foods that your whole family will enjoy.
Fruit and Vegetable Bowl
Fruits and vegetables are a good foundation to start with when creating healthy snacks for your family. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers risk of chronic disease in children and adults, and it helps in managing weight from childhood through adulthood. Keep a large bowl on your counter full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce such as apples, oranges, pears, bananas, tomatoes and avocados are great picks that don't require a lot of effort before they can be eaten.
Ants on a Log
Peanut butter and hummus make easy dips and spreads that provide wholesome choices for snacking. Both are considered legumes, which are a class of vegetable that includes beans and peas. These legumes offer a good source of fiber and contain zero cholesterol, making them solid choices for heart health. To make Ants on a Log, spread 1 tbsp. of either peanut butter or hummus on celery, an apple or carrot sticks and top with raisins.
Homemade Nutty Buddy
Peanut butter is also a good source of protein and contains mostly monounsaturated fats, which are essential for heart health and for lowering the bad cholesterol in the body, also known as LDL. Spread 1 tbsp. of peanut butter on a low-fat graham cracker, and you have a great little treat to help curb those sugar cravings whether you are young or old.
Smoothies
Whole fruit and vegetable smoothies are an easy way to include a few servings of key foods in one sitting. Smoothies are packed with vitamins and minerals to keep your energy high and to ward off illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Add a banana for sweetness, soy milk and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. During the summer, pour the smoothie mixture into ice cube trays for a healthy frozen treat.
Low-Fat Dairy Products
Individual servings of yogurt and string cheese are good grab-and-go foods that are high in protein to help keep your family going strong through all of their various activities. Protein is essential for children as they grow and develop, and it also is a vital part of cell repair.
Home-Popped Popcorn
For a family movie night snack, try popping your own popcorn kernels. Popcorn is a whole grain that is full of fiber and low in fat, sodium and sugar. By itself, though, it can be a little boring. Add a few sprays of a canola oil-based butter spray and a few dashes of garlic salt or another favorite seasoning. Shake it in a brown paper bag and you have a healthy substitute for movie theater or microwave popcorn.
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