4 Sweet and Healthy End-of-Summer Snacks
During summer, it is easy to fall into a snacking slump. The weather is hot and you could use a frozen treat like ice cream to cool you off. Instead of snacking on chips, chocolate, or cheese in between meals, consider trying some healthy and delicious snacking options. Healthy snacking has many benefits—it can improve your concentration, increase your energy levels, and help with appetite control. Plus, a sweet treat can make anyone feel better. Try munching on these snacks to boost your mood and your energy for the rest of this summer!
1. Watermelon
Summer is the ideal season for watermelon. Watermelon is great because it has little to no fat or sodium, but it tastes so sweet! It also is nutritious; it contains vitamin A, vitamin C and lycopene (an antioxidant). You can eat it by the slice or turn it into a popsicle by cutting smaller pieces and putting them on popsicle sticks (see http://www.watermelon.org/Recipes/Watermelon-Slice-Popsicles). No matter what way you eat it, be sure to get your watermelon while it’s still ripe!
2. Fresh Fruit Bruschetta
Bruschetta typically consists of tomatoes, onions, and basil finely chopped on toasted bread. Now, you can turn an Italian classic into a summer snack by dicing up your favorite fruits instead! One website, http://www.thecookierookie.com/fruit-bruschetta/, recommends strawberries and peaches, but you can still use tomatoes too. Enjoy this delicious recipe!
3. Homemade Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn is so tasty, but it is not always that healthy when you buy it from the supermarket. Instead of wondering if there’s too much butter, why not make your own? That way, you can control exactly what’s going into your popcorn and how healthy you can make it! With some popcorn kernels, a brown paper bag, and some seasonings, you can follow the steps on http://blog.feelgreatin8.com/easy-homemade-microwave-popcorn/ to make your own healthy popcorn.
4. Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Instead of eating ice cream, try making your own frozen yogurt. It’s a great healthy alternative to cool you down. According to http://blog.feelgreatin8.com/homemade-strawberry-frozen-yogurt/, all you need are strawberries, honey, greek yogurt, and lime juice. Just put everything in the blender until it’s smooth, put it in the freezer until it is the right consistency, and indulge in this guilt-free, low calorie desert!
Why waste the end of the summer away, snacking on fatty foods? With these recipes, you can cool off with some yummy and healthy snacks that are perfect for the whole family. They’ll help you feel more energized and motivated to get outside and have fun!