Peak summers are looming above our heads, and the heat is absolutely unbearable. The scorching sun, soaring temperatures, and excruciating heat waves, keeping healthy becomes crucial, especially for children. The diet you consume plays a prominent role in staying well and healthy during summers. However, children do not understand what is best for them, especially in terms of food. Thus, it becomes important to curate a diet with healthy summer snacks for the young ones.
Tips to Curate a Healthy Summer Diet for Kids
Eating healthy can be quite a challenge during summers. The kids have their summer vacations, which usually interrupts your usual diet. Amidst all the fun and frolic, it is essential to stick to healthy eating habits and healthy summer snacks for kids. The key is to choose refreshing and hydrating foods that are incredibly nutritious and equally delicious, so that your child enjoys eating them. So, let us check out 5 easy-easy tips to curate healthy, tasty, and nutrient-dense summer meals and snack options for your kids.
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- Keep It Fresh
- Curate a Balanced and Nutrient-Dense Meal Plan
- Keep Healthy Choices Stacked at Home
- Find Healthier Alternatives to Satisfy Craving
- Leverage the Merits of the Grilling Season
Pre-packaged foods are a handy and accessible option, especially when looking for a quick meal or snack during summers. But, unfortunately, processed foods often contain sodium, sugar, and fat. So, summers are a great time to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season.
The second very important aspect of curating the right summer diet for your children is to keep things balanced and nutrient-dense. Remember to prepare a plate for your child that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. A pro tip is to incorporate a healthy source of protein in all the snacks for kids in summer.
If you stack cookies and chips in the pantry, then it is likely that the fruits and vegetables will go to waste. So, make sure to fill your pantry only or mostly with healthier foods, such as whole-grain crackers, seasonal fruits, fresh fruit and berry smoothies. Likewise, prep your fruits and vegetables for easy snacking, and have string cheese, boiled eggs, and deli meats on hand.
The fourth thing you can do to curate a healthy summer diet for your children is find healthier and more nutritious alternatives for junk foods. For example, you can easily replace potato chips with baked potatoes and swap high-fat ice cream with frozen yogurt. Remember to replace hugh-sugar, high-fat, and packaged foods with items that contain less sugar and fat.
Last but not least, you should also take advantage of the grilling session that summer brings. Quite obviously, summer is a great time to grill lean meats and vegetables for a fresh and satisfying flavor. So, grill your meals on the weekends and pack up the leftovers for enjoyable and healthy summer snacks throughout the week.
Now that we have gauged the top 5 tips to curate healthy and nutritious meals for your children during summer, let us delve further into the topic.
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Top Healthy Summer Snacks for Kids
- Yogurt
- Popcorn
- Trail Mix
- Berry Smoothies
The first and most handy summer snack that you can keep for your kids is yogurt. For starters, yogurt is an excellent snack for children and even adults because it is a great source of protein and calcium. Protein is the building block for our body, and calcium is helpful in the robust development of bones in children. Furthermore, some variants of yogurt contain probiotics, which can benefit the digestive system. However, be cautious of the yogurts marketed especially for kids, as they contain high amounts of sugar. Instead, simply go for plain, full-fat yogurt and sweeten it with fruits, berries, and a drizzle of honey. But, if you are parents to an infant under 12 months, then make sure to not give them honey as they are at a greater risk of a serious infection called botulism triggered by honey.
If you thought that popcorn was junk food, then it is time to get the facts right. Popcorn is an incredibly nutritious whole grain, as long as it is not doused with unhealthy toppings. Thus, plain salted popcorn with a hint of butter can be a great summer snack for kids. All you have to do is air-pop your own popcorn, season it with a tad bit of butter, and sprinkle some grated cheese on top. However, be extremely cautious while serving popcorn to younger children, as it can be a choking hazard.
One of the best snacks for summer to serve your children is trail mix. As long as your kids are not allergic to nuts, trail mix can be a healthy snack for on the go. Instead of opting for the commercially-made trail mixes that contain chocolate candies and are high in sugar, you can easily prep your trail mix at home. Simply mix nuts, dried fruit, and a whole-grain cereal, and voila, your healthy, tasty, and summer-ready trail mix is ready.
The fourth and quite obvious summer-friendly snack for children is smoothies made out of fresh berries and seasonal fruit. A fruit and berry smoothie is an excellent way to pack a punch of nutrients into your child’s diet. You can also add veggies to the smoothie. Use whole, fresh vegetables and avoid fruit juices, which are high in sugar. With the sweetness of the fruits and berries, your child may not even realize that they are drinking something packed with nutrients.
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Wrapping It Up
So, there we have it, a crisp overview of the best healthy summer snacks for kids and how you can prepare your meals during summer to cater to the tastes and sensibilities of children. Besides the four healthy summer snacks for kids mentioned above, other options like oatmeal, cottage cheese, apricots and pears and more. Preschools are the best place for your kids to learn more about healthy food choices. Enroll your kid today in EuroSchool. Furthermore, do not forget to ensure that your child is hydrated and drinking enough water. This is a crucial element of remaining healthy and happy during scorching summers.
