Now that summer is just about here, you’re probably ready to ditch the hot chocolate for treats and snacks that will actually keep you cool. In addition to cooling you down, the best summer treats are also good for you. Finding healthy summer snacks is easier than you might think. You just need to prioritize fresh fruits, ice and other key components. By throwing in some sweet popcorn and other special treats from time to time, you’ll never have to go without a light, satisfying snack.
Yogurt: A Nutritious, Refreshing Treat
Regular yogurt is delicious just about any time. For the summer, try it frozen. You can buy regular yogurt and freeze it yourself, or you can buy frozen yogurt at the store. In either case, you’ll love the fresh taste. Many different flavors are available, so you can satisfy that sweet tooth without consuming too many calories. A note of warning: Not all yogurts are created equal. If you’re not careful, you could inadvertently buy yogurt that has too much fat or that contains too much sugar. Furthermore, the yogurt that you buy should have live cultures. It’s the easiest way to tell if it is healthy yogurt or fattening yogurt.
Fruit Bars: A Great Way to Cool Down
With a little fresh fruit, some water, a blender and a popsicle mold, you can create delicious frozen fruit bars at home. They are available at the store, but homemade bars are healthier because they contain less sugar. Nothing is as refreshing as an icy-cold frozen fruit bar on a hot summer day. The best part is that you can use whatever fruit you would like. You don’t have to restrict yourself to whatever is available at the store. You can even mix different types of fruit together to come up with unique flavors and combinations. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s absolutely tasty.
Fruit Smoothies: Icy-Cold Goodness
With an immersion blender or a regular blender, you can whip up yummy smoothies that are packed full of nutrients. Put your favorite fruits, some ice, some juice and some yogurt into a blender and blend away. You can experiment with additional ingredients like honey too. There are hundreds of recipes online, and there’s no reason not to try to create your own smoothie concoctions too. Another great idea is to mix different flavors of yogurt in with the other ingredients. The whole family will love sipping on freshly made smoothies, and you’ll love how easy they are to make.
Popcorn: Nutritious and Tasty
Popcorn is a perennial favorite, and it’s easy to see why that is. It’s the perfect snack, but you should stick with popping it on the stove if you’d like it to be as healthy as possible. Plain, lightly salted popcorn is nice, but there are plenty of ways to spice up popcorn too. Kettle corn or sweet popcorn are always huge hits. Bring some along on a picnic, or make a huge batch and keep it handy for hungry kids. This summer, you can satisfy those cravings, get cool and avoid excessive calories. You just need to choose healthy sweets. Before reaching for that bag of potato chips, keep the preceding tips in mind.
Mercedes Potter is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. She is ademant in regards to good health and has numerous ideas on healthy snacks. Follow her @CedesPotter.
Speak Your Mind