Snack time

I have gotten lots of questions about healthy snacks so here's a few quick ideas...

• Yogurt Parfaits - layer vanilla greek yogurt and fresh berries in a glass and top with a sprinkle of granola
• Rocky Roads - Break a graham cracker into bite-size pieces.  Add to low-fat chocolate pudding along with 3 or 4 mini marshmallows
• Peanutty Balls - mix 1 cup of reduced-fat peanut butter and 1 cup of cornflakes  in a bowl.  Shape into balls and roll in crushed graham crackers.
• Snack Kabobs - Put cubes of low fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks
• Banana Sliders - Spread reduced-fat peanut butter on whole wheat slider buns.  Top with sliced bananas and a squirt of strawberry jelly.
• Trail Mix - Mix together 1 cup shredded coconut, 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, 1 cup granola, 1 cup dried cherries, and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

I'm certain I will say this a hundred times, but my kids are just like any other...they love to eat junk food!  They love chicken nuggets, french fries, cookies, cheezits, spaghettios and just about any other unhealthy thing you can imagine.  I try my best to minimize their consumption of this type of food, but let's be honest  - kids have a mind of their own and many (especially mine) are stubborn about their food preferences.  I always encourage healthy snacks and meals, but if they choose to eat something from the "dark-side" I am very careful to monitor their portion sizes.  I also teach them what an appropriate portion size is for them.  There is a place for everything with moderation.  

Happy Snacking!