Fun and Speedy Snacks

Fun Food! (It’s pretty healthy, too!)

Food is fun when done in a happy and healthy way. I have been enjoying making my kids ‘cute’ food. They get really excited and I get to use a little of my own creativity in the process. It’s always good to wonder what healthy choice makes a good nose, the best ears, or the coolest hair.

The art below is an afternoon snack made from a variety of veggies (green pepper ears, tomato eyes, carrot nose, snap pea mouth and zucchini extras). The hair is a quesadilla cut into spikes! Use your imagination and see these people disappear into your child’s belly! ! My kids eat most of their funny people. They get picky at times but(fingers crossed) they do a darn good job at eating them!

Simple Healthy Snack ideas to grab and go

Snacks to have any time

• Nuts – almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts (mix some salted with some unsalted to get a nice variety). Add raisins to the bag to have a salt/sweet mix.
• Bars – Lara bar, Fiona’s granola bars, Cliff bar. There are many choices. There are some that are really high in protein and some higher in carbohydrates. If you are looking for a quick snack to get you through to the next meal, grab whatever you like. If you are looking for a meal replacement, make certain the bar you grab has 20 +/- grams of protein and some fat…these give you the sustaining energy you need.
• Fruit – apples, bananas, grapes are all easy to wash and take with you
• Vegetables – takes a little prep but or you can buy them pre-cut. It’s worth the investment in you! Carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers,
• Peanut Butter or Almond Butter on crackers, apple slices, bread
• Hummus with baby carrots, crackers or pita triangles
• Avocado on crackers, bread or in a wrap

Quick Meals:

• Lentils and rice. I make a batch 1 to 1. 1-2 cups brown rice & 1-2 cups lentils. I boil a bunch of water, add the lentils and rice and about an hour later, wa-la! I then add vegetables and Bragg’s Aminos or Annie’s Goddess Dressing, and often I add a bit more protein as well. Eaten hot or cold(depending on the weather) is a refreshing alternative to mac n cheese! AND, my children love plain rice and lentils.
• Crackers/cheese/smoked salmon with chopped vegetables on the side. We eat this a lot and all the prep it takes is getting the stuff in the house. The deli will slice the cheese for you, the salmon needs a bit of cutting and the veges you choose whether you prep or buy them ready to go.
• Soup. Anything is a soup. Really, anything. My children love Plain things. So I boil a chicken breast, chop a few vegetables and dump it all into a pot with a box of stock and it’s done. Add a cup of pasta or rice and everyone is thrilled. Then, I have Braggs Aminos, hot sauce, or curry paste on hand to add a little zing to mine when I need to.
• Wraps of any kind – turkey or ham or chicken breast and cheese with lettuce & tomato, hummus wrap, peanut butter and honey wrap. One of our favorites is refried black beans and grated cheese in a whole wheat wrap (great for kids & adults) – Having it warm is a bonus but can be cold too!

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