Four Healthy Summer Snacks for Kids

With school being out and activities being canceled due to COVID-19, many children will be spending more time at home this upcoming summer. While ice cream and cookies may be what your child asks for, we urge parents to show that healthy food can also be exciting and delicious. This is why we have come up with a few healthy and easy snack ideas that we think your child will love this summer and beyond! 

Popcorn

Popcorn is a great alternative to chips as it is whole-grain and a low-calorie option. You can make so many variations of favors so your child will never get bored. Sweet or salty, it is always delicious. 

Buy:

• Smartfood – White Cheddar Popcorn
• Skinnypop – Original Popcorn
• BOOMCHICKAPOP – Kettle Corn
• Newman’s Own – Touch of Butter Popcorn 

Make (Recipe from The Pioneer Woman): 

Ingredients (makes three servings)

• 1/2 cup Popcorn Kernels
• 2 Tablespoons High-temperature Cooking Oil
• Butter and Salt

Directions

• In a thin and shallow 3 1/2-quart pot, heat the oil over high heat. 
• Put 2 kernels of popcorn into the pan, cover, and wait to hear them both pop. 
• Remove the pan from the heat, take out the 2 popped kernels, add in the remaining kernels, cover, and let sit for 1 minute.
• Put the pot back over the stove on high heat. Within a few minutes, the popcorn should start popping. 
• Give the pan a good shake every now and then to ensure even heating.
• Once the popping slows down to nearly a stop, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 1 more minute to give any stubborn kernels a chance to pop.
• Pour into a large serving bowl.
• Top with butter and salt if desired. Store any leftovers (ha!) in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Applesauce

Applesauce is a fantastic snack because it is super filling and sweet. It also provides fiber and vitamin C. Serves as a snack or a dessert, it will not disappoint. 

Buy:

• Mott’s Unsweetened Strawberry Applesauce
• Gogo Squeeze Applesauce on The Go
• Mott’s Applesauce
• Vermont Village Peach Apple Sauce 

Make:

Ingredients (makes four servings)

• 4 apples – peeled, cored and chopped
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup white sugar  
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

• In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. 
• Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. 
• Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.

Vegetables and Hummus

Every parent knows the saying “not until you eat your vegetables first.” It can be frustrating trying to get kids to eat their carrots and broccoli, which is why hummus is amazing. It turns a boring snack into something fun and healthy. Chickpeas are also a source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. 

Buy:

• Sabra Classic Hummus
• Trib Dark Chocolate Hummus
• Trader Joe’s Hummus Dip
• Pit Pal Roasted Garlic Hummus

Make (recipe from Inspired Taste):

Ingredients (makes six servings)

• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 drops sesame oil, or to taste

Directions

• Blend garbanzo beans, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and sesame oil in a food processor
• Stream reserved bean liquid into the mixture as it blends until desired consistency is achieved.

Popsicles

Nothing beats a popsicle on a hot summer day! The sweet treat may seem like a sugary snack, but there are many healthy options out there. It’s a tasty way to cool down after spending time playing outside. 

Buy:

• Yasso Frozen Yogurt Pops
• Chloe’s Pops
• Outshine Fruit & Veggie Bars
• Annie’s Organic Fruit Juice Pops

Make (Recipe from The Clean Eating Couple)

What you need

• Popsicle Molds
• Citrus Zester
• Blender

Ingredients (Makes six servings)

• 2 cups fresh mango chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 tablespoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup strawberries sliced

Directions

• In a blender, puree mango, lime juice, and lime zest until completely smooth. While blending, slice strawberries into thin slices
• Pour mango puree into popsicle molds until ¾ of the way full. Drop multiple strawberry slices into the popsicle molds, pressing down so there are strawberry pieces through out the popsicle. Add remaining puree if necessary to fill popsicle molds to the top.
• Cover popsicle molds with the base/sticks and place into the freezer for at least 3 hours.
• Serve + enjoy! Note: If having trouble getting out of molds, run the popsicle in the mold under warm water for 30 seconds – 1 minute.