Bananas add a sweet touch to snack time without the processed sugar you find in many sweet snack foods. Your child also gets fiber, vitamin C and potassium, making bananas a nutritious basis for snacks. A plain banana is a portable snack, but using the bananas in other ways at home makes them more appealing and adds variety.
Milk with Bananas
Pour milk over sliced bananas for a simple snack that adds calcium to the mix. Cut a banana into 1/2-inch slices and top with one-third cup of skim milk. Encourage your child to come up with other combinations to make the snack more flavorful. For example, use eggnog or flavored milk like chocolate or strawberry. Or stir in additional ingredients for more flavor and texture. Try adding berries, granola, cinnamon or honey to the bowl.
Coated Bananas
Dip plain banana chunks into other ingredients for a flavorful snack. For a protein punch, spread peanut butter over the bananas. Freeze the peanut butter-covered banana for a cold treat. To make a faster snack, slice the bananas into 1/2-inch pieces. Pour crushed cereal, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, toasted coconut or other favorite ingredients into a plastic baggie. Place the slices of banana into the bag and toss gently to cover. Pull out the covered slices to eat.
Sandwich Spread
Bananas work as an alternative sandwich filling. Place banana slices on regular bread along with peanut butter for a twist on peanut butter and jelly. Use rice cakes, crackers or graham crackers instead of regular bread. Spread the peanut butter on both pieces and layer the banana slices inside. Add a honey or chocolate drizzle inside the sandwich, if desired.
Banana Muffins
Baking your own muffins allows you to make them healthier. Cut back on the oil in your favorite banana muffin recipe. Use applesauce instead to keep the muffins moist without adding the extra fat and calories that comes in the oil. Add the mashed bananas and nuts or other mix-ins to the batter before baking.
Member Comments