Now that summer is here; it is time for summertime treats. Usually, we look for snacks to cool us off in the summer heat, but unfortunately, these snacks are usually high sugar, high fat, and provide empty calories. When you look to cool off, it is important to choose satisfying snacks which fit into a healthy eating lifestyle. Being consistent at mealtime with including all of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats,) can help keep mindless snacking in the summer at bay. Including these nutrients at your meals can help you make smart snacking decisions rather than poor choices that might not satisfy your craving.
Some quick tips for preparing and having summertime snacks at home include:
- Freeze fresh fruits like watermelon, strawberries, or blueberries. You can incorporate these frozen gems into smoothies. They can add flavor and sweetness to your drinks or eat them frozen to cool you off.
- Freeze low-fat, yogurt tubes in place of freeze pops.
- Make your own microwave popcorn. Use a brown paper bag, cover the bottom with fresh, un-popped popcorn kernels, and fold the top of the bag over and over until you reach the bottom. Pop for approximately 2 minutes or until kernels stop popping (timing will vary based on the microwave). Season as desired.
- Freeze individual cartons of low-fat chocolate milk and eat with a spoon for a tasty chocolate treat.
Some additional smart snacking tips can be found here.
Email us at:
For more health and wellness tips follow us on: