TIPS For Families

Snacks are an important part of everyday eating.  Snacks can be healthy or they can be a goldmine for fat, calories and sodium.  Healthy snacks can be fun for people of any age.  Get a little creative and turn a ho-hum snack into an exciting one.  Check out some of these ideas and then create your own.  Several of these can be made as a family activity.

Fresh fruits make excellent snacks – full of vitamins and minerals.  Keep bananas, apples, and oranges on hand for quick, on the go snacks.  Or, line a baking pan with plastic wrap.  Place fresh fruit such as grapes, melon balls, and strawberry halves in a single layer on the plastic wrap.  Cover with another piece of plastic wrap.  Freeze for 2 to 3 hours.  Serve plain or with fruit flavored yogurt for dipping.

Cut a fresh pear lengthwise in half.  Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out the core.  Place each half in a small bowl.  Scoop balls of frozen yogurt into the centers of the pear halves.  Sprinkle with granola.

In an ice cream cone, layer cut up mixed fruit such as kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, pears or peaches with vanilla yogurt.

Make an easy banana pudding.  Slice a half of a banana.  Stir together a single serving container of pudding and the banana slices. Sprinkle with crumbled graham crackers or crisp cereal.

Use the preparation and eating time to talk about foods as a family.  Try to name a fruit for each letter of the alphabet.  Or state a color and have family members name a fruit of that color.  Ask which fruits have a peel we can eat.

Go to MyPyramid.gov to learn more about healthy eating.  Or contact your local extension office to find out the nearest nutrition educator with the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program.

For more TIPS for Families, go to unlforfamilies.unl.edu. Let us know how you used this information by clicking on TIPS feedback form at the bottom of this page.