Nutritious Snacks

Snacks are an important part of our diet. We have them morning, day and night. Since they're easily available, specially the ones that come under junk food, they're consumed on a larger scale. Replacing these snacks with nutritious ones is vital for a healthy body, and mind. Children who munch on unhealthy snacks are at a higher risk of childhood obesity. Mothers, are you listening? If you prepare healthy snacks for your children, you won't only prevent them from obesity and its problems, but will also make them more active and intelligent! As for the elders, we have our own health problems to fight. Do so, with the help of these snacks!

Nutritious Snacks to Keep You Healthy

#1: Oatmeal Apple Cookies
Cookies are the most loved snacks. This recipe makes use of oats and apples, both are highly nutritious. Oatmeal contains 0% cholesterol, 33% dietary fiber, 19% iron and 2% of Vitamin B and Vitamin K. Apples, as we all know are a rich source of carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C and folic acid. So combine the two, add nutritious honey and margarine, as it has less calories than butter and you are done!

Ingredients

• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup honey
• ¾ cup stone ground whole wheat flour
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup margarine, softened
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Process

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, also anoint cookie sheets. Take a large bowl, beat egg, margarine, honey and vanilla until smooth. When done, add in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, apple and oats. Stir until blended. Drop this mixture by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets before moving to the wire racks.

#2: Vegetable Pita Pizza
Pizza and nutritious sound contradictory, isn't it? But this favorite dish of kids can be turned into a delicious snack by adding nutritious ingredients like mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, pepper, etc. The kids will be benefited with all the nutrients of vegetables and also enjoy the snack!

Ingredients

• 2 large pita, whole-wheat
• ½ cup(s) assorted fresh vegetables such as small broccoli, cauliflower florets, red sweet pepper strips, sliced fresh mushrooms, chopped carrot
• ¼ cup pizza sauce
• ¼ cup cheese, mozzarella, shredded
• Cooking spray

Process

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the pita bread on the baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes. Coat a small skillet with the nonstick cooking spray. Add the veggies to the heated skillet and cook until tender, crisp. Spread pizza sauce on the hot pita bread, add the vegetables and cheese. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, until light brown. Serve warm.

#3: Fruit Salsa
Kids love to dip and eat. This snack will provide them nutrition as well as an opportunity to dip! Fruit salsa is mainly made of strawberries, raspberries, kiwis and apples.

Ingredients

• 3 tbs fruit preserves, any flavor
• 1 tbs brown sugar
• 2 apples - peeled, cored and diced
• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 1 pound strawberries
• 8 ounces raspberries
• 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• 2 tbs white sugar
• Butter flavored cooking spray
• 1 cup sugar substitute or cinnamon sugar

Process

Take a large bowl, mix raspberries, kiwis, apples and strawberries in it. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Now coat each tortilla with cooking spray, sprinkle desired amount of sugar substitute or cinnamon sugar and then cut into wedges. Spray with cooking spray again. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes. Allow the tortillas to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving with chilled fruit salsa. This is one of the most nutritious breakfast for preschoolers, however, even adults are sure to feast on it!

These nutritious nutritious snacks for kids and adults will help you in more ways than one. Start collecting more recipes of such healthy snacks, and plan your diet accordingly. Remember, don't eat less; just eat more of what is good! Eat healthy, stay healthy!