HEALTHY SNACKS

Funding for this project was provided by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County through their Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative.

 

Fruit Kabobs

Along with offering a nutritious snack, this activity promotes coordination and allows the child to take responsibility in snack preparation.

 

Materials: 

q      Fruit:  strawberries, banana slices, pineapple chunks, grapes cut in half (to avoid choking hazard), other favorite or seasonal fruits

q      Straw stirrers (the kind used to stir coffee)

q      Napkins

 

 

Directions:

Parent or care-giver to cut the fruit into bite-size pieces in advance.

  1. Wash your hands,
  2. Skewer the fruit on sticks or toothpicks.
  3. Enjoy!
  4. Clean up.

 

v    Ask your child to name the fruits used in this activity.

v    Ask your child to count the types of fruit.

v    Ask your child to count the number of fruits on his/her skewer.

v    Ask your child to reproduce a pattern on his/her kabob. 

 

 

Other Refreshing & Nutritious Fruit Snacks:

¯    Frozen bananas.  Peel the banana.  Cut it in half.  Insert a popsicle stick in each half, then place on a cookie sheet and put in freezer.  Eat when frozen, or wrap in foil and save for a treat at a later time.

¯    Frozen grapes.  Wash grapes and cut in half.  Place on a cookies sheet and freeze.  When frozen transfer to a freezer bag and enjoy as a cool treat on a hot day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Munch Mix

Along with offering a nutritious snack, this activity promotes decision making & coordination , and allows the child to take responsibility in snack preparation.

 

 

Materials: 

q      Snack Items:  dried fruits (such as raisins, craisins, fruit bits, etc.), fish crackers, cereal (such as Cheerios¨), pretzel sticks, or other healthy items. 

q      Small cups, bags or even ice cream cones w/ flat bottom

q      Scoops or large spoons

q      Napkins

 

 

Directions:

Parent or care-giver have assorted snack items in bowls.

  1. Wash your hands,
  2. Use a spoon or scoop to fill a small cup (ice cream cone or bag) with your choice of snack items
  3. Enjoy!
  4. Clean up.

 

Related Activities for Young Children: 

v    Bag the Munch Mix and take on a nature hike.

v    Teach your child this song, and count as you assemble or eat Munch Mix:

On little, two little, three little raisins . . .

Four little, five little, six little raisins . . .

Seven little, eight little, nine little raisins . . .

Ten little raisins to munch.

 

One little, two little, three little pretzels . . .

Cheerios¨ . . .

Fish crackers . . . 

 

 

Other Related Snacks:

¯    Spoon some yogurt into a cup and then let your child add his/her favorite munch mix snack combinations.

 

 

 

This snack & handout provided by USD 435 Parents As Teachers

program.  Funding for this project was provided by the Community

Foundation of Dickinson County through their Nutrition and

Physical Activity Initiative.

 

Fruit Smoothies / Fruit Drinks

Delicious and nutritious smoothies and fruit drinks (without added sugar) can be a parent's secret weapon to ensuring children get enough fruit in their diets.  Serve them for breakfast or any time of the day.

 


TheresaÕs Basic Fruit Smoothie Recipe

1 /2 frozen banana

5 or 6 frozen strawberries, or 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, or frozen peaches

1/2 - 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend on high until smooth.

 

Other Possible Fruit Drink Combinations:

¯    Mango Mania Ð 1 mango (cut and pitted), 1/4 cup orange juice

¯    Peach Medley Ð 1 peach (cut and pitted), 1 banana, 1/4 cup orange juice 

¯    Berry Surprise Ð 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup raspberries, 1/4 cup of milk 

¯    Strawberry Ice Ð 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup orange juice, I cup crushed ice

¯    Banana Boost Ð 1 banana, 1/4 shredded wheat cereal (or other high fiber cereal), 1/4 cup milk. A great way to get extra fiber and vitamins into your child's diet.

¯    If it's hot outside, try easy fruit smoothie popsicles. They are a great alternative to sugary ice cream and are a delicious summer treat. For a creamier consistency, add 1/4-cup yogurt of your choice to the recipes above and pour the smoothie mixture into popsicle molds (or paper cups - or even ice cube trays.)  Fill cups or tray and insert popsicle sticks when half frozen and slushy. Leave until fully frozen.

¯    Be Creative!  You can experiment with the basic recipes above. Just about any combination of your favorite fruits will taste delicious in a homemade smoothie or drink.

 

Get your children involved: 

¯    Let them choose their favorite fruits and, let them help you peel and chop them up (according to their age, of course).

¯    Children can also help pour liquid ingredients into measuring cups

¯    Encourage your child to be a ÒFood ExplorerÓ Ð examine foods with different textures, shapes and sizes:

                   ¥Fuzzy (peach, kiwi)

                   ¥Smooth (tomatoes, apple)

¥Bumpy (potato, strawberries)

                   ¥Long (carrot, cucumber, celery)

         Exploring foods by taste, touch and smell encourages children to try new foods.