Summer brings many images to mind. Among them are children running, jumping, and playing. Summer is time for families to spend leisure time together at the ballpark or an amusement park.
As any parent knows, active kids are constantly looking for a snack. The problem is that many kids will reach for a bag of chips, a candy bar, or other options that offer poor nutritional value. Attending a ballgame or going to a theme park can be great fun but trying to find nutritious snacks at the concessions stand can be a challenge.
The good news is that, as a parent, you can control the snack options available to your kids, no matter where you are. Many snack options are both nutritious and delicious. Consuming such snack items will leave you and your kids satisfied with their snack choices.
One of the best things about making a healthy snack is that you do not really need a recipe. All you need is a good imagination and some healthy ingredients in your pantry. From there, it is up to you to create and serve!
Popular ingredients to get started on creating your unique snack are:
- Banana chips
- Tropical dried fruit mix
- Whole grain cereals
- Chocolate chips
- Pretzels
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Sunflower seeds
- Popcorn
- Fresh vegetables (carrot sticks, celery)
- Whole grain crackers
- Nuts
When creating your snack, it is a good idea to include a variety of flavors, colors, and sizes. This will make the snack more appealing to the eye and will expose you and your kids to more nutrients.
Safety tip: If you bring a snack to a sporting event or amusement park, pack any perishable items (i.e., sandwiches and dips) in a cooler with ice.
It is a good idea to eat ballpark snacks within 2 hours or place any leftovers in a cooler.
Home-made freezer pops
Materials
Small paper cups Straws
Ingredients
Low-fat yogurt or juice Fresh fruit
Directions
Pour low-fat yogurt or juice into the paper cup
- Add fresh fruit and place a straw in the middle.
- Freeze until the “pops” are
- To eat, peel back the paper cup and enjoy
Sweet & Salty Trail Mix
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups oat circles cereal
1 1/2 cups corn squares cereal 1/2 cup whole almonds (chopped) 1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup small pretzels 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a large
- Store in an airtight container or re- sealable plastic bag.