Adventures in Food
Tips for tackling summer snack attacks
Anyone else suffer from the summer snack attacks? You know where potato chips, boxed mac ‘n cheese, and other usual no-nos or occasional treats become regulars in your kitchen cabinets? During the school year I’m pretty good at planning out dinners beforehand and having relatively healthy snacks on hand for my kids after school. While I thought summertime would make it even easier for my kids to eat good-for-them foods, what with berries, peaches, melons and all sorts of goodies available, it hasn’t quite worked out that way.
I’ve discovered a few tips for the summer snack attacks that we’re trying around our house, maybe they might work for you too.
Keep it whole. It takes minutes (seconds, really) to down a cup of applesauce. But eating an entire apple? That involves more time and attention. I’ve found my kids feel fuller and are more satisfied when they eat whole fruits and veggies instead of juices or sauces.
Keep it cold. On a hot summer day my kids (okay, so do I) crave ice cream and other icy sweets to cool off. My teen started a trend that’s become a tradition around our house–eating berries right out of the freezer. While you can pick and freeze your own, I also like Costco’s mixed bag of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Keep it fun. So your kids like some unconventional snacks, hey as long as they’re good-for-them, I say go for it. My middle child loves to eat whole limes–she’ll take her time sucking out the juice then eating the inside. She’ll happily spend her entire 10 minute swim break at the pool taking apart her lime, piece by piece. I can’t think of a better snack, although I’ve seen a few people give her a doubletake as they pass by. My youngest likes banana chips dipped in peanut butter.
Keep it handy. Stash the once-in-awhile snacks where your kiddos won’t seem them all the time and make sure healthier snacks are always within reach. I like to keep bowls of fruit in the middle of my kitchen table so it’s easy for my kids to grab a healthy treat. In the fridge I put mini carrots, cut up cantaloupe and baby cucumbers in various clear containers so my kids know right where to find them.
Your turn–what do you do to help your kids eat healthy snacks in the summertime?
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about 10 months ago
we make all kinds of yummy yogurt and fruit pops in the freezer – perfect for a hot summer day!
about 10 months ago
Good advice as we kick of summer. With heat and extra activity, light, fresh, and whole make total sense.
about 10 months ago
That’s a great idea–and so convenient for your kiddo too.
about 10 months ago
Yes! My kids have been spending most of the day outside so I really try to have energy foods on hand for them.
about 10 months ago
I like the idea of limes. Have never suggested that or tried. Remember that the apples need to be organic. They are #1 on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list this year.
about 10 months ago
My biggest challenge is rotting fruit. The nectarines, peaches, bananas all go so quickly in the heat and I don’t like them refrigerated. The berries are always rotting too it seems.
about 10 months ago
Thanks for the reminder.
about 10 months ago
I keep the fruit in a cold-carry container. I find that apples and citrus fruits are pretty hardy. Good call on the berries–that’s one reason why we like to eat ‘em frozen, more of a snack at home versus one for the road, of course.
about 10 months ago
Great advice. Kids are always looking for snacks; may as well have healthy treats on hand!
about 10 months ago
These sound like good tips. I don’t have kids, but will pass this along for my friends who do!
about 10 months ago
I usually eat berries fresh so they never make it to the freezer, but I often freeze bananas or grapes if they have overstayed their welcome in the fridge or counter and both serve as wonderful frozen treats.
about 10 months ago
Love this advice. I like to keep a bowl of mixed cut up fruit in the refrigerator for snacking.