Here are some healthy snacks the whole family will enjoy on a hot summer day. These easy snacks are a great way to maintain good energy through whatever family fun you have planned.
Summer time can be a major shift in everyone's daily routine. I want to equip you with some healthy eating strategies that will help make summer delicious, fun and healthy.
I partnered with Chobani, the Florida Beef Council, Wonderful Pistachios, and POM Wonderful to share some Make Healthy Easy ideas for summer snacks for busy families on TV. Thank you to these sponsors for making this fun segment possible! In case you missed it, here are my key family friendly summer snacks:
Refreshing Treats
Here are some fun treat ideas perfect for warm summer months to cool off and also provide a filling snack;
Yogurt
Chobani yogurt makes a great on-the-go protein rich snack. Chobani Greek yogurt is free of artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and flavors. YEAH! Their new line of kids and toddler yogurts come in super portable tubes and pouches and have 2 times the protein and 25% less sugar than other leading kids yogurt. Try freezing the tubes for yummy, legit frozen yogurt. Versatile fruit and yogurt parfaits make a delicious snack on a hot day as well.
Fresh Fruit
Make their favorite fruits even more fun with fruit kabobs. Using wooden skewers, alternate between different colors of fruit to make a beautiful snack. Turn this into a fun activity by letting kids make their own kabob. To take this snack up a notch, try my Grilled Fruit and Veggie Kabobs.
Dippers
Another great summer snack is this simple 3 ingredient Peanut Butter Frosting Dip. It is so good you won't believe it's healthy. Create a snack platter of sliced apples, other fruits, and any other "dippers" your entire family would enjoy such as pretzels or graham crackers. Combining natural peanut butter, nonfat Greek yogurt, and maple syrup, this healthy nutritious snack is a winner.
Crunchy veggies like baby carrots and bell peppers with hummus or yogurt dip make tasty snacks as well.
Picnic Food Upgrade
When warmer weather hits, a lean beef turns lunch food into satisfying, healthy dinners you can take on the go. Here's an easy way to turn lean beef into a picnic lunch or dinner:
- Preheat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with high temperature cooking spray.
- Season a flank steak on both sides with salt and pepper (I like to go heavy on the pepper). Broil steak for 7-9 minutes per side (more time for larger, thicker steaks). Remove from oven and allow to rest for 20 minutes.
- Use a sharp, serrated knife and slice beef against the grain of the meat into thin slices. In a Flat Out protein wrap layer lettuce, sliced red peppers, a slice of cheddar cheese, and 4-5 slices of steak.
- Add a dressing or vinegar of your choice. Fold up then wrap in tin foil and throw it in your cooler.
Emergency Snacks
Keep some emergency snacks available that don't need refrigeration. When you end up at an event longer than you thought, the snack bar or vending machine bag of chips WILL start calling your name. Fight back with Wonderful Pistachios, one of my favorite snacks! My favorite flavors are the Sweet Chili and Salt and Pepper. Also try freeze dried fruit like strawberries and apples and edamame, which can be easily found at ALDI and Target. Bars a great choice too. My rule of thumb is to look for one that has 5-7 grams of protein and/or fiber per 100 calories.
Healthy Options
Choose reasonable fun foods. When I think summer, I think fun foods like flavored drinks and ice cream. There is nothing wrong with these foods but it is important to be mindful of how often your family enjoys them. Instead try using POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice to make a "Shirley Temple" with seltzer water or freeze them in popsicle molds for an all-natural treat.
Now you have some easy snack ideas to keep everyone full, happy and healthy this summer no matter where your minivan or mom-bus takes you.
Because summer is awesome,
Jenna
Full Disclosure: I was compensated by the companies mentioned in this blog post to put together this TV segment. Opinions and experiences are authentically my own.
