By Catherine Katz at Cuisincity
Catherine Katz at Cuisinicity has had lots of practice keeping kids happy and energized over the years, thanks to her five kids. Here are Catherine’s everyday tips and suggestions for healthy snacks and how to make them the easy choice for the whole family:
- I always have fresh fruit on the counter (and in the fridge) handy and ready to go! You can eat it whole or sliced up, dipped in plain fat-free yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon and honey or in a little (that’s key–a little goes a long way!) natural nut butter (no sugar or salt added). You can also incorporate fruit in smoothies. If you are in the mood for a sweet “comforting” treat that still delivers that Low calorie-High Nutrition ratio, another snack that I love to have handy in my fridge are my Simply Cinnamon Apples. You can eat them cold or a little warmed up in the microwave, and they will satisfy that special feel-good need!
- I also have dried fruit (unsweetened) ready to go. The thing to remember here is that because dried fruit is dehydrated and more concentrated than fresh fruit, it is smaller in volume and size and quicker to eat than regular fruit so, don’t eat it absent-mindedly or the calories will easily add up!
- Of course, I have lots of fresh veggies in the fridge, too! You can have them sliced or in chunks in a Tupperware ready to go, just plain, or with some hummus or a good salsa (make sure it has no added sugar – I like Green Mountain Gringo). Another recommended great dip that delivers that Low-calorie-high nutrient ratio with a rich taste is my simply spinach dip. I make a batch at the beginning of the week and have it ready to go in a Tupperware in the fridge, it keeps very well and it goes beautifully with the veggies or wholegrain crackers.
- A handful of plain nuts or seeds – dry-roasted or raw–no added oils, salt or sugar. Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds etc., make a wonderful snack. Nuts.com is a great resource that offers a “ton” of varieties, perfectly fresh – you can pick and choose (again, make sure to pick those without added sugar and oils!). Because nuts are filled with nutrients and are so satiating, I have several snack recipes that incorporate them as well. My Katz Flax Crisps and my Chewy Granola squares are a great snack to bring on a hike or to put in the kids lunch box. Note that I specifically cut them in small squares because they are higher in calories, so don’t eat a whole batch!
Find more suggestions, tips and kid-approved recipes from Catherine Katz on Cuisinicity. Be sure to keep healthy snacks on hand to handle hunger and prevent less-than-nutritious choices throughout the day.