Finding healthy snacks your child will like can be difficult at any time of the year, but it can be especially hard during the summer months. Every stroll along the boardwalk, or the passing tune of an ice cream truck, invites your little one to beg for sweet treats that can contribute to real health problems, such as obesity and diabetes.
If you’re looking to beat the heat and support a healthy lifestyle for your child, just a little creativity can go a long way. Here are 10 simple options for offering a delicious summer snack your kids will love!
1. Crudites
There’s something about the snap of biting into a fresh, raw vegetable served on a bed of ice. Crudites served with a healthy dip are a summer classic, and they’re as healthy as it comes. Try mixing tomatoes or radishes in with standards like celery, carrot, and cucumber.
2. Frozen fruit
It doesn’t get any simpler than putting some fruit in the freezer for a quick and easy sweet snack. Watermelon and grapes freeze especially well without becoming too hard.
3. Homemade popsicles
A homemade popsicle is a great alternative to the sugary store-bought varieties and can also serve as a great summer craft project. There is an endless supply of recipes — from pure fruit mixtures to yogurt-based concoctions — to keep your freezer packed with different options all summer long.
4. Trail mix
Sending your little one on an outdoor adventure? Equip them with a bag of healthy trail mix. Nuts, raisins, and a little dark chocolate are a combination packed with nutrients, as well as a delicious way to keep your little explorer going on a warm afternoon.
5. Guacamole
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more delicious summer dip than guacamole. Pick a recipe that sticks with vegetables and plenty of avocado, and you’ll have a treat your little one can’t get enough of.
6. Popcorn
If you’re planning a summer movie night, don’t skip the popcorn! Air-popping (versus a microwavable bag) creates a healthy snack that will have your child and their friends feeling like they’re at the movies. And the best part? You won’t have to worry about the tummy ache that usually follows an overly buttered bag at the theatre.
7. Sweet potato fries
Cookouts are a time-honored summer tradition, but the endless side dishes can cause your kids to fill up on the exact foods you don’t want them eating. Try baking some sweet potato fries instead, which are more nutritious than regular fries and full of vitamin A.
8. Smoothies
When those ice cream cravings are really too strong to overcome, try a fruit smoothie instead of a milkshake. Smoothies can be packed with fresh fruit, skim milk, and other healthy ingredients — like peanut butter — for a snack your kids will love just as much as a calorie-packed milkshake.
9. Vegetable chips
It can be hard to get your kids to eat their vegetables. In the summer, try making chips out of them! You can bake kale in olive oil, or even seaweed and parsnips. A little salt or garlic powder packs a ton of flavor alongside all the nutrients they’ll be getting from each veggie.
10. Water
You might not think of water a healthy summer snack, but when temperatures are high, dehydration is a real risk. Make sure everyone in your family, especially children, gets plenty of high-quality H2O in the summer months. You can even flavor it with fruits or herbs for a fun twist the whole family will love.
The occasional ice cream cone is a staple of the summer season, but it’s important to make sure your child’s daily snacking habits are healthy — and these options can help.