NUTRITION & HEALTH

Ideas for healthy snacks


Planned snacks promote good health and add pleasure to life. Healthy snacks are more likely to be eaten by children, teens, or adults if no preparation is required when the munchies

strike. Children and teens can help prepare snacks to enjoy later.

· Stock up with healthy choices. (Ideas: individual yogurts, canned fruit, string cheese, applesauce, tuna packed in water, low-fat milk, raisins,  100% juice boxes, water.)

· Wash, individually bag, and refrigerate healthy foods for easy access.  (Ideas: baby carrots, broccoli and dip, whole-grain crackers and peanut butter, cheese cubes and apple slices, grapes, strawberries, melon cubes, grape tomatoes, ham or turkey slices wrapped around a breadstick.)

· Stock your pantry well. (Ideas: baked tortilla chips and bean dip, pretzels, low-fat microwave popcorn, whole-grain bagels and crackers.)

· Teach family members to prepare easy fruit shakes.  In a blender, place 1 cup skim milk, ½ banana, ¼ tsp vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon. Blend until smooth. Or use frozen fruit. For example, blend together 1 cup fresh frozen strawberries, 1 cup skim milk, and 1 cup strawberry sherbet. Enjoy!


Contact: Mary Schroepfer, MED, Nutrition & Health Education Specialist, SchroepferM@missouri.edu