Whether you are trying to improve your own health, or are attempting to teach your children how to eat healthier foods, creating healthy snacks is a good place to start. In a time when everyone is so busy -- from working moms to kids involved in after-school activities, it's easy to grab a miniature bag of potato chips on the way out the door. Healthy alternatives do exist, and they don't require much time, just a bit of planning.
Step 1
Sit down with your family and make a list of favorite foods; cheeses, fruits, vegetables, dressings and yogurts. This ensures everyone enjoys the snacks you prepare.
Step 2
Make a list before you go to the grocery store. Having a list helps prevent you buying the junk food you might ordinarily toss in your cart. Base your list on the foods you and your family chose together. Adhere to your list by avoiding the aisles containing junk food.
Step 3
Designate certain snacks for each day of the week. Knowing what snacks you and your family will have each day makes it easier to prepare ahead of time. Frozen snacks and fruit smoothies can be made the night before. When having vegetables and dip, place these in containers for days when you need to grab and go.
Step 4
Make the snacks fun for kids to eat and avoid boring and bland snacks. Cleveland Clinic suggests banana pops in place of ice cream sandwiches. Dip a banana in yogurt, roll it in crushed, high-fiber cereal and freeze overnight. Use a cookie cutter to bring a sandwich to life. Whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and lean meat gives the sandwich its touch of health.
Step 5
Include your children in making the snacks. When your child wants a drink, show him how to make a fruit smoothie. Use a banana or fresh berries, low-fat yogurt, 100 percent fruit and ice. Mix it together in your blender until it reaches the consistency he desires. If he's hungry, cut an apple into wedges and allow him to make an apple smile. Let him spread the peanut butter while you watch, and then hand him some raisins to add for eyes. The more he participates, the more he will enjoy creating and eating these healthy snacks.
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