Thursday, June 3, 2010

Healthy , cheap kid's snacks? Sure!

      It seems that I can't go a day without reading somewhere about how you can't eat healthy without a large grocery budget.  I just haven't found that to be true.  I am sure that many of my friends and family members have healthy, yet frugal foods that are go-to staples in their homes.  Since summer vacation is here, I am putting out  some ideas of snacks that are kid-friendly, inexpensive and healthy and encourage anyone to comment with their own suggestions, in an effort to dispel this myth of healthy food being expensive.
      ---My go-to decadent sweet is to get a bag of frozen berries and dump them in a bowl with a large tub of vanilla or plain low-fat yogurt poured on top of them.  My kids like it, but not as much as me!!! Granola sprinkled on top is for special occasions!  If you really want something amazinfg, try it with frozen cherries.
     ---A great homemade healthy version of  slushie-- Blueappleberry slushie!  Put ice cubes in the blender, cover with 100%apple juice and a handful of frozen blueberries.   Blend until smooth enough for sipping through a straw, Yummy!
    --- Hot air-popped popcorn with a smidge of butter and/or parmesan cheese sprinkled on.
     ---Homemade popsicles made from juice, especially orange juice.  Anyone remember the "Timer" PSA's on saturday mornings? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaVWM1mqG74
                                          
--- "peanut butter pops" is just, ummm, peanut butter eaten directly from a spoon.  It is supremely good.

---fruit salad sounds like a pain to make, but 1 banana + 1 apple + 1 orange or some grapes = easy yummy in the tummy.

---frozen edamame.  I buy a big bag at the asian grocer for $1.39.  Simply boil, drain and lightly salt.  Then have fun squirting them out of the shell and eating.  Plus, you can show your kids this video

     I do the majority of my shopping at Aldi's which has super cheap staples, produce and frozen fruits and vegetables, with a limited selection, but good quality.  Recently I found this product, which I think will be great or the long car trip we have planned.
Fruit leather in strawberry or raspberry flavor, with 50 calories each.  But just look at the ingredients!

And they taste great!  Much easier than making your own, which I like to do, but takes some time and is not so easily transported for outings!  I also think these were less than $2.00 a box, but can't remember an exact price.

    I look forward to other ideas from people.  It is so easy to get stuck in a rut with cooking, especially for kids.  I know that people are feeding their kids foods that are healthy and inexpensive, it is time to share ideas!  

2 comments:

  1. With nieces and nephews galore coming to visit, I always have to have some good snacks ready to make. Here are their favorites:
    -raw carrots and sugar snap peas, especially with hummus or ranch dressing
    -good ol' peanut butter and crackers
    -"ants on a log": celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter and topped with raisins!
    -pretzels

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  2. sugar snap peas, mmmmmmm. Haven't had those in a long time! Good suggestions!

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