Delicious Snack Ideas That Are Actually Good for You

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With summer on the horizon, we all know that there will be lots of picnics, barbeques and yummy summer treats.  If you are like me, when that warmer weather sets in, I find myself just “picking” throughout the day (or maybe, I’m just full from yesterday’s barbeque at Uncle Bob’s).

Anyhow, we have to remember to keep our calories in-check no matter if we may be burning more calories during these summer days or not.  Below you will find some healthy and delicious snack ideas for everyone to enjoy!

• Trail mix – this makes for a convenient on-the-go snack and can get you through when hunger hits.
• Vegetable kabobs with hummus – this is one of my favorite summertime treats.  Pick your favorite vegetables right from your garden or from a local famer’s market, cut them up into chunks, skew them, grill them and eat them!  This is great way to enjoy fresh local produce and to get some extra vitamins and minerals in!  Try dipping your kabob in hummus or a light ranch dressing for an extra kick.
• Fruit kabobs – hey, if you can have vegetable kabobs, why not fruit kabobs?  Try using summer time fruits, such as watermelon, strawberries, peaches and blueberries.  You could even make them and put them in the freezer for extra cool treat!  Just like vegetable kabobs, have a sauce to dip them in – maybe a cream cheese fruit dip.
• Strawberries with balsamic vinegar – this combination just sounds strange doesn’t it?  You’ll be making this treat at least once a week once you give it a try.  Combine about 1 pound of sliced strawberries, with a ¼ cup of sugar and couple tablespoons of balsamic vinegar together in a bowl and have it marinade for about an hour.  I like to serve my balsamic vinegar strawberries with low-fat whipped topping – yummy!
• Vegetable quesadillas – one my favorite go-to snacks!  It is quite easy to get rid of those leftover vegetables, by making vegetable quesadillas.   Try and use a low-fat cheese to keep it healthy!
• Stuffed celery sticks – kids just love this snack.  You can stuff celery with anything you want – a reduced-fat peanut butter, or a low-fat cream cheese.  Add some raisins, to make it look like there are ants on a log!
• Salsa served with whole grain tortilla chips or pita chips – this is wonderful to have on hand, especially when a few guests decide to swing by.  Making your own salsa is easy and once you make your won, you will never buy jarred salsa, again.  For a fun alternative to salsa, try making homemade guacamole – you’re in for a real treat now!
• Smoothies – these are good anytime of year, but especially when summer produce is in season.  Customize your own smoothie, but adding your favorite fruits, some ice and some non-fat yogurt into a blender and whip it up. Here’s a really great-tasting protein smoothie that is perfect after a great workout.
• Antipasto platter – another tasty summertime treat!  Don’t feel like cooking up something healthy, you won’t need to with an antipasto platter.  Simply create your own platter with some of the following items:  olives, roasted red peppers, low-fat cheeses, artichoke hearts, dried fruits, etc.  This is another great way to enjoy summer produce.

As you can see, all of these make for delicious and healthy snack ideas.  But many of these, you could actually use for appetizers or for quick healthy meals.  In my next post, check out some of the healthy snack recipes from some of the ideas we talked about here.  Snack on!