Bright smiles and healthy bodies start with what we eat. This year, make a New Year's Resolution that kids will want to stick to - healthy snacks. Many of these can be prepared in larger batches for the week ahead, for easy access during snack time. RECIPES BELOW: Guilt free cookies, Fruit popsicle, Make your own kid-pizza, Dips for fruit and veggies.
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GUILT FREE COOKIES: Who doesn't crave cookies and a cold glass of milk? When a few HEALTHY SUBSTITUTIONS are made, even a common dessert can take a major upgrade. Use your favorite cookie recipe, but make a few swaps: trade flour for oatmeal, trade sugar for mashed bananas, trade oil for applesauce, and throw in some dried fruit or nuts for a bit of crunch. It will be a yummy way to get some added fiber and a serving of fruit.
FRUIT POPSICLE: A kid-favorite, popsicles are easy and delicious. Simply blend your favorite fruit juice with Greek yogurt, and pour into a popsicle mold. To jazz them up a bit further, drop in some slices of fresh fruit. Sliced kiwi, strawberries, mango, bananas, blueberries, pineapple, and raspberries are a SWEET addition. It is a great serving of fruit and protein.
MAKE YOUR OWN KID-PIZZA: Pizzas can be a healthy snack or lunch if prepared the right way. Make it a fun activity, and allow your kids to be chefs in the kitchen. A plain bagel or English muffin can be used, if you don't have pizza crust available. Load up the veggies and toppings, and pop them into the oven until the cheese is golden. Plus, you can prepare several ahead of time, wrap in foil, and save in the freezer for later.
DIPS FOR FRUIT & VEGGIES: This one is probably the most hassle-free healthy snack. All you need to do is wash and cut fresh fruits and veggies! We recommend making it even easier by portioning out the fruits and veggies into little snack bags. Get creative with what to dip them in. You can pair hummus with carrots, celery, and sweet potato slices. Dip broccoli in ranch dressing. Apples and bananas taste delicious dipped in peanut butter. Strawberries taste wonderful dipped in Greek yogurt. Have fun, and BE HEALTHY!
WANT MORE HEALTHY KID-FRIENDLY TIPS? We have all sorts of resources on our blog and website. To learn the details about your child's oral healthcare, talk to our dentists Dr. Fry and Dr. Bradley or any of our friendly members of our Sunshine Team. Call Sunshine Children's Dentistry at (910) 762-7736. We look forward to hearing from you!
