Keeping the Kids Healthy Over the Summer

With the kids at home for the summer it's a good idea to have some healthy snacks on hand. What makes a good healthy snack? You should be looking for a mix of carbohydrates and lean protein for sustainable energy. Try to keep the snack calories between 100 and 200 calories for children 15 and under, older kids will need more. Here are some ideas:

• · Veggies, mini pitas/baked chips and dips (i.e. hummus, natural nut butters; bean)
• · Home made trail mix (dried fruit, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, Cheerios)
• · Greek Yogurt
• · Mini bagels with fillings
• · Granola bars / Fruit and Nut Bars (i.e. Kind Bars; Kashi Bars)
• · Go packs of pre-prepped snack options
• · Apple slices with almond butter, rolled in grape nuts or granola
• · Pudding with graham crackers
• · Cottage Cheese with fruit
• · Whole grain cookies (i.e. Fig cookies; Kashi's TLC) with milk
• · Laughing Cow cheese or string cheese with crackers

It is also important to keep your children hydrated. As always, water is great, but if you want to mix things up try sports beverages like low-fat chocolate milk, and glucose-electrolyte solutions such as Powerade Play and fruit smoothies.