Lenny and Larrys
Summertime is almost here, which means it's time for outdoor ripping and roaring. Our little ones need a surprising amount of calories and nutrients, especially when they're as active as most kids. But even for the less active, it's still important to make sure that children get the amount of nutrition they need. While we all want kids to enjoy the foods they eat, it's always a struggle to fight their inevitable cravings for junk food in place of healthier options.
The Importance of Healthy Snacks for Kids
While we could speak about the importance of healthy foods for our bodies and overall wellbeing, we'll instead talk about keeping our young ones properly fueled for maximum playtime! The two go hand-in-hand; better fuel sources directly equate to longer playtime. This is because, much like in adults, the types of food we eat play a massive role in our satiation and our overall energy levels.
It's also essential to give them options that won't cause a sugar crash —think sodas, candy, and other highly-processed and nutrition-void snacks. While the occasional junk food is ok as a treat, there's very little benefit when it comes to energy. So when you're choosing treats this summer, consider any of the following as good alternatives that'll help keep your kids active for longer.
Great Plant-Based Summer Snacks for Kids
Plant-based snacks come in a variety of different forms. While there are some excellent prepackaged options, we recommend making your little one's snacks at home for the ultimate in both control and cost savings.
Frozen Watermelon Pops
There are many different ways to make this, and they're all delicious. While you could make watermelon slush drinks instead, the fastest way to get frozen watermelon pops is to simply cut your watermelon into wedges, including removing the rinds. Then place popsicle sticks inside the center of the flat or wide side and freeze. Because watermelons are mainly made from water, they're easy to freeze. This is a great way to beat the summer heat while giving your kids immediate access to natural energy-boosting vitamins like B6.
Frozen Blueberries
Especially on hot summer days, frozen blueberries can serve as a delicious frozen snack that kids will love. It even doubles as a tasty additive to water! If you’re traveling, be sure to bring plenty of ice packs to keep them from defrosting. Fair warning — while incredibly yummy, they can quickly stain your clothes.,
Carrots and Peanut Butter
You've probably enjoyed apples and peanut butter at some point, but replacing the apples with carrots is another tasty way to combine healthy fats and proteins with nutrient-rich carrots. You can choose to use baby carrots or whole carrots shaved and chopped into two to three-inch sections. We recommend buying some small resealable dipping cups to hold the peanut butter.
Whole Fruits
Bananas, apples, and oranges provide plenty of nutrients and will simultaneously satisfy your child's sweet tooth. The natural sugars and fiber in these foods help kids feel satisfied during their adventures while also giving them great nutrients like potassium and vitamin C. Plus, they're ultra-portable, thanks to their naturally occurring peels.
Summer Snacking Made Easy
Let's face it; kids will be kids. And if you have kids, you know that it's not always easy to get them to eat what we think they should. The above items are timeless classics that most kids will likely enjoy. Your kids will quickly eat the delicious snacks you've prepared, and you'll feel like the rockstar parent you are by being the 'parent with the good snacks.'