Healthy Snacks for Kids

Okay, yesterday I gave you my five fundamentals of raising a healthy eater, and today I have some recipes to try at home.  Now, let me just tell you now that I am not a chef. I prepare food. Just want to manage that expectation. :) I keep food verrrry simple and use as few ingredients as possible. 


Stuff I Make
Ants on a Log (great for kids to help with!)
Slice one apple and add about 1 tsp of freshly ground peanut or almond butter on each slice. Then place three or four raisins on the peanut/almond butter
*Make sure that your PB is all natural, preferably fresh ground. You can usually grind it yourself at Fresh Market or Earth Fare, or ask your grocery store deli. Smuckers also makes a good all-natural PB.


Pita Pizza
Using one half of an Arnold's 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin, Ezekiel English Muffin, or whole wheat pita, put about 1-2 tbsp of all-natural tomato sauce.  I usually use Classico or Prego All-Natural. Add 1 thin slice of Boar's Head Pepperoni, sliced at your grocery deli, and add a little more than a pinch of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for about 5-8 minutes.


Turkey Quesadilla
I bake a boneless turkey breast each week and use it for salads and sandwiches. It's healthier and cheaper than deli meat.  You can use some of it for this!
Using one Toufayan Low-carb Wrap, spread about two tablespoons of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt over half.  Then scatter about 3 oz of shredded baked turkey over that, and sprinkle on about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese (I usually use cheddar because that's what I have).  Add some chili powder (just a little, it is for the kids after all), fold it over, and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.  Slice into little triangles and serve warm.  I have to keep from eating all of these.


Sweet and Salty Trail Mix
This is great for throwing into a container during errands.
1/2 cup Annie's Homegrown Bunny Grahams
1/2 cup Annie's Homegrown Cheddar Bunnies
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds


Mix it all up and portion it out. Just watch the portions because this is easy to eat a lot of.


I also visit The Gracious Pantry for oodles of recipes (she is much more skilled than I).


Stuff I Buy
I try not to buy a lot of packaged snacks, but it's hard to avoid sometimes.  When I do, I always read the ingredients to make sure that what I am buying is just as good as what I could make at home. Also, check out my Simple Swaps for Clean Eating for a reminder that just about anything you like to eat has a healthier option.


Chobani Champions Yogurt  
Just about anything from Barbara's Bakery
Fruit.  Just plain old fruit.  It's pretty awesome.


Unhealthy eating is just not necessary anymore as it's becoming easier to find affordable alternatives for the things we used to think we had to give up to eat clean. Don't assume your kids want junk food, and don't assume that there isn't a way to healthify it when they do!  Just look at the basic ingredients and challenge yourself to find a healthier alternative...if I can do it, so can you!


Bon appetit!