Healthy/Fun Snacks

One of my friends called me and asked me to post something about new snack ideas for kids.



So, here are some of my kids favorites and some others.



Edamame- My kids and husband love this! I buy the kind in the pod that are lightly salted, in the freezer section and we eat them cold or warm. so yummy and so healthy.



Quick Pumpkin Muffins- Get a chocolate or spice cake mix and mix up the batter with one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree and a little milk-until it is a good consistency. Bake according to directions and you have a healthier, delicious cupcake/muffin.



Apple Pizza- Flatten a canned refrigerated biscuit. Spread with finely chopped apple and top with cinnamon sugar. Bake as directed for biscuits.



Sandwich Face- Jonah loves faces on egg salad sandwiches but you can do it on any kind of spread. Open Face Sandwiches are a great idea and you could just do it on lunchmeat, cream cheese, and use all kinds of veggies.



Smoothies- Any combo of fruit and/or yogurt is good. Jonahs favorite is Elephant, Monkey, Choco-delight- 1 medium banana sliced and frozen for 2 hours, 1 cup milk, 1 cup chocolate ice cream( I use Edys/Dreyer Slow churned 1/2 fat ice cream) and 1/4 cup peanut butter. Put all ingredients in the blender until smooth and enjoy.



Mott's Healthy Harvest Flavored Applesauce- I like this kind because it has no added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, just natural flavors.



Hummus or other fun dip for veggies.



Cut shapes out of cheese slices, vegetables, toast or sandwiches with little cookie cutters.



Frozen cherries and frozen blueberries



yogurt parfaits



popcorn



hard boiled egg



Fruit Cones- 1 large banana, peeled, 4 wafer cones, 4 Tbs. strawberry yogurt, 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, 1/3 cup each blueberries and diced canteloupe, 1 kiwi, peeled and diced, 1/2 tsp. honey- Cut four 1-inch pieces of banana and place one in bottom of each cone, Drizzle with 1 T yogurt. Dice remaining banana and toss with remaining ingredients. Fill cones with fruit.



Frozen Fruit Shapes- puree 2 cups chopped canteloupe, honeydew, strawberries, or kiwi with 1/2 cup white grape juice and 2 Tbs sugar. Pour into fun-shaped ice-cube trays and freeze for at least 3 hours. EAT!



Be Adventurous- take your kids the the grocery store and let them pick out a fruit or vegetable that they have never tasted or seen before or try some seasonal fruits and veggies that are inexpensive. You might find a new favorite. My kids love Asian Pears right now. Pomegranates and jicama were big over the holidays. Brussel sprouts are actually tasty!



Frozen Go-gurt



Refrigerated Breadsticks or Frozen Bread Dough- You can make this into fun shapes or letters and sprinkle nuts, seeds, or dried fruit on top.



Fruit, cheese, veggie, and meat kabobs



pickles



X-Balls- this is a favorite of my younger brother. Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 cup + 2 Tbls. powdered milk, 1/2 cup + 2 Tbls. powdered sugar. Take small pieces and form into a letter X or make into small balls.

Frozen banana pops- melt chocolate chips or some other kind of chips, roll banana half( with popsicle or craft stick stuck in it) in the melted chocolate and then roll in sprinkles or nuts. Freeze until chocolate is harden.

Spread peanut butter between mini vanilla wafers and make a sandwich

Apples and cheese



Parents Magazine 20 Best Snacks for kids- I keep this in one of my recipe binders. It lists the 20 best snacks for kids and has some great recipes. The Smart Parent's Guide to Healthy Snacking is also helpful.