5 Healthy Summer Snacks Everyone Will Love!
Did you know that 97% of Americans eat snacks between their meals? You're in the vast majority of people if this describes you! This makes sense when you consider that snacking can keep you feeling full, energetic, and mentally present throughout your day.
This season, it's important to serve up some healthy summer snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. Yielding to the temptation of popsicles every single day isn't a great idea, but fruit? Nut butter? Yum.
Read on to learn some awesome snack ideas for you and your family this year!
1. Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is one of the best summer snack ideas out there. It's full of vitamins and minerals that give adults and children alike the energy to stay active on sunny days. When you eat a lot of fruit, you'll be able to live your life to the fullest because it boosts mood and improves the immune system.
Summertime is an amazing season for fresh berries, which you can actually grow at home. Raspberry and strawberry bushes thrive in the summer months when grown in gardens. The same applies to grapes, which can be put in a bowl and eaten while relaxing in the yard with friends or a good book.
However, berries aren't the only awesome fruit that you can eat in the summer. Melon is also awesome, especially cool and refreshing watermelon. Honeydew and cantaloupe also are completely delicious.
2. Ants on a Log
While cutting up some fruit and putting it on a plate is the easiest snack option out there, ants on a log comes close. To make this snack, all you'll need is a jar of high-quality nut butter, a few pieces of celery, and a box of raisins.
Lay a few pieces of celery out on a plate. Generally, 5 per adult and 3 per child is approximately the right amount for a mid-afternoon snack. Keep the bowl-shaped side of the celery upward and begin slathering nut butter inside with a knife.
Most people choose to use classic salted peanut butter. However, if you're looking to switch things up, you can grab some cashew and almond butter and make your logs different flavors. If you want, you can even make a dessert log in addition to your regular ones with white chocolate pretzel nut butter!
After all of your celery sticks are full, put the raisins into the butter at intervals. You'll probably wind up with 3-5 per celery stick (or 'log'). These raisins will serve as the ants that put a smile onto you and your children's faces.
3. Delightfully Deviled Eggs
The majority of Americans don't get enough protein, so it's important that you stay on top of your diet. Eggs are extremely high in protein as well as positive fats that sustain your body. Cold deviled eggs are a summer treat that gives you all of these benefits (plus delicious flavor).
They're super easy to make, too! Once you have hard-boiled eggs and chill them in the refrigerator, the process of deviling them only takes about 5 minutes.
Cut the eggs in half, scoop the yolks out of the egg whites, and place them in a bowl. Put mayonnaise and pepper into the bowl and stir the yolk in until it reaches an even consistency. If you want to try something different, mayo can be substituted out for mustard.
Take your spatula and put the yolky mixture back into the hole in the egg white. You can serve as is, but many people sprinkle some paprika on the top. If you're in a particularly decadent mood, a bit of crunched-up bacon on top also goes a long way.
4. Peanut Butter Granola
Looking for a snack that's high in both protein and fiber? Peanut butter granola is the right choice for you and your family.
Grab some rolled oats, raw cashews, and coconut flakes. These will serve as the base for your granola. You'll then need to grab some American Dream peanut butter. Chop everything up and mix it together.
You'll need to then put it into some agave syrup to give it a sweet flavor. Bake it at 325 degrees for around 12 minutes and serve. This is an awesome way to sate your sweet tooth while still eating healthy.
5. Delicious PB&Ns
Sometimes you just need to indulge, and that's totally okay. However, you need to do it the right way. No need to go get a chocolate bar or ice cream chock full of sugar and sprinkles that have no nutritional value.
A peanut butter and Nutella sandwich- or, as we call it, a PB&N- is a great way to experience the chocolatey taste you love.
Get some whole-grain bread and spread plain nut butter on one piece of it. Take a second piece and slather it with about half the amount of Nutella as the nut butter you used. The 2:1 ratio means that you'll bring out the nutty undertones of both the peanut butter and the hazelnut rather than only tasting chocolate.
If you want something crispy and warm, you can grill your sandwich. This isn't necessary, but sometimes it's nice. Serve it with a generous helping of strawberries or banana slices!
Make Some Healthy Summer Snacks Today
Now that you know some healthy summer snacks that you and your family will love, it's time to get started. Browse our online shop for delicious and affordable nut butter.
Whether you want classic perfect peanut butter, creamy cashew or almond butter, we have you covered. We're also happy to give you some more ideas for healthy snacks this season, so don't hesitate to reach out!