Any parent who has gone on a health and wellness journey will tell you that the hardest part isn’t sticking to your plan. It’s getting the family to follow along with you.
The thing about wellness is that it is so life-changing that naturally, you want to share it with everyone around you. When you’re trying to sell healthy eating to a group of picky eaters under ten, though? Pull-ups start to look easy in comparison.
Luckily, the team at Well Citizen has you covered, with a list of our favorite simple and nutritious snacks that your whole family will love eating. Let us know in the comments below which of these snacks you are most excited to try!
Cheese and Crackers
There’s nothing young kids love more than the combination of cheese and carbs. Cheese and crackers are quick and easy snacks that pack a more powerful nutritious punch than other types of snack crackers like Goldfish and Cheez-Its.
If a regular cracker doesn’t feel like enough nutrition for you, try a cracker alternative, like the flax seed crisps from Flackers. They are deliciously crunchy, with 4 grams of protein per serving.
This is also a great chance to gently broaden the palates of children in your life, by offering up different types of cheeses to go on the crackers.
Edamame Hummus
We all know how delicious traditional, chickpea-based hummus is. But did you know you can make hummus from almost any type of bean?
Edamame hummus has a lighter feel to it than traditional hummus but is just as easy to make. Much like regular hummus, you want to combine edamame, olive oil, tahini, garlic, and salt in a food processor or blender. We also love to add in a green herb like cilantro or parsley, to help maintain that beautiful, light green color.
Serve with your favorite vegetables and roasted nori for a delicious, dippable snack.
Stuffed Dates
Dates are an often overlooked food but pack a nutritional punch. They are a relatively calorie-dense fruit, meaning that eating just a few of them will keep you full for longer than a handful of berries might. Plus, the sweet flavor and caramel-y texture are favorites for adults and kids alike.
Our favorite way to eat them? Stuffed full of all-natural peanut butter. You can also top them with things like shredded coconut, cacao nibs, and hemp hearts. These are good fresh, and can also be served frozen for a chilly treat that tastes decadent but is guilt-free.
Pepper Melts
Too hungry for a snack, but not quite hungry enough for a meal? These pepper melts might just be the perfect in-between.
Start by slicing and coring a bell pepper into fourths. Top each one with a meat and cheese of your choice (we prefer sliced turkey, which is lower in fat and higher in protein than many other deli types of meat). Pop under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbly, and serve warm.
Air Fryer Tofu Poppers
If you’re looking for a quick snack that is healthier than frozen chicken nuggets, allow us to introduce you to tofu poppers. This is a great way to introduce your whole family to a new protein source in a way that feels fun and approachable.
If you can find it, we recommend buying high-protein, extra firm tofu. This kind will have less water content, meaning that you will not have to press it to remove excess water. Cut your tofu into cubes, and toss in a mix of salt, pepper, cornstarch, and whatever seasonings you prefer. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees, and back the tofu for ten minutes.
Serve with ketchup, buffalo sauce, or whatever dip you normally like to dip your chicken nuggets in.
Black Bean Salsa
If you’re looking for a more nutritious alternative to chips and salsa, consider making your own black bean salsa! This salsa has a fresh, summery flavor, and is a great way to get in extra vegetables. Simply combine cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, and diced red onion in a bowl. Season with cumin, garlic powder, and lime juice. Top it off with cilantro and you’ll have a delicious snack that everyone will enjoy.
Apples and Peanut Butter
Sometimes it’s good to go back to basics. You can’t get more basic than good, old-fashioned apples and peanut butter. This classic after-school snack is super easy to make in a pinch but is a powerful combination of carbs, protein, and fat that will keep you full for a long time. Looking to level up your snack game? Try topping your apple slices with some hemp hearts for extra protein and some omega-3s.
Frozen Grapes
When it’s hot out, sometimes you just need a snack that is extra refreshing. Next time the sun is out, try this hack to turn an everyday snack into a special treat.
Wash and dry your grapes, and then put them in the freezer for about two hours. Prepare a bowl of plain greek yogurt. Pierce each grape with a toothpick, dip it into the yogurt and then freeze for another two hours before serving.
Healthy Popsicles
With popsicles this healthy, you don’t have to wait for dessert to eat them! The trick is to start with your favorite nutritious smoothie base. You can make it the way you normally would with all your favorite fruits and protein powders. Once it is blended smoothly, simply pour it into popsicle molds, and allow them to freeze for a few hours.
Japanese Cucumber Salad
This cucumber salad is crunchy, refreshing, and altogether delicious. We recommend using a smaller version of a cucumber, such as cocktail cucumbers for this salad. Thinly slice your cucumbers and place them in a bowl with a light sprinkling of salt. Allow it to sit for a few minutes while you make a dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and a small amount of chili paste. After ten minutes, squeeze the water from the cucumbers and set in a separate bowl. Add in the dressing and mix well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and dried nori for a tasty snack that is perfect as the weather heats up.
Seasoned Popcorn
We all know that popcorn is a great low-calorie snack for those days when you need something crunchy to eat. The key to a truly interesting bowl of popcorn, though, is what you top it with. You aren’t just limited to butter and a sprinkling of sea salt!
Next time you pull out your popper, try topping your popcorn with some B-12-rich nutritional yeast. This will give it a delicious, cheesy flavor while being totally plant-based. Like a little spice? Try mixing in a little bit of Tabasco for an unforgettable flavor combination.
Vegan Queso
If you are a little veggie obsessed but struggle to get the young people in your life on board, you need this simple vegetable-based, vegan queso. In a large pot, boil together carrots, onions, and sweet potatoes. Once they are soft, combine the vegetables in a blender with a cup of raw cashews, nutritional yeast, a can of green hatch chilis, and a little bit of the boiled water. Blend until smooth, and serve with your favorite salsa and tortilla chips.
Pesto Roll-Ups
It’s basil season, and that means it is time to make pesto. Pesto isn’t just great on top of pasta, but can be used to add flavor and interest to a snack, as well!
To make a pesto roll up, start with a whole-wheat tortilla. Layer with sliced chicken, cheese, and pesto. Roll and then slice. You can eat these cold or heat them up, for a snack that is better than any grilled cheese.
What is your go-to healthy snack? Share with us in the comments below!
