FitSugar

Snack Attack! 10 Fun and Functional Snack Containers For Toddlers

Natasha Dantzig — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:02:54 PST

Let's snack! If there's one thing all children seem to have in common, it's their propensity for snacking all day long. While sitting at the table enjoying a nice long lunch isn't most curious toddlers' idea of a good time, their busy little bodies need fuel, and that fuel is often delivered in the form of many snacks throughout the day.

Grazing is actually a very healthy way to eat, but it can mean multiple cleanups throughout the day, and for already busy mamas the extra crumbs get a bit tiresome. Check out the following collection of snack containers for toddlers designed to mitigate snacktime meltdowns - for mama and toddler.

Snack Attack: Eat This, Not That For a Healthier Snack Time

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:31:12 PDT

When tots burst through the door after a busy day at school, the first order of business is securing a snack. Moms are busy, and while many aspire to feed their lil ones only homemade meals and snacks, that's just not always an option. With studies linking pesticides found in many "kid-friendly" foods to ADHD, it's time to pay more attention to what exactly is in our kids' foods. Store bought doesn't have to mean sacrificing health and nutrition; there are plenty of great organic alternatives to unhealthy, sugar-laden after-school classics. Check out a selection of snacks that kids might even like better than the original versions. Happy snacking!

DIY 100-Calorie Snack Packs For Summertime Travel

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:25:55 PDT

Summertime is vacation time! If you're heading to the airport any time soon, along with your bikini and flip-flops, be sure to pack some snacks. Since airport food is notoriously pricey and unhealthy, bringing food along will save you money and unwanted calories.

Eating before and during your flight will maintain your metabolism and can help prevent the dizziness and headaches sometimes associated with flying. Snacking will also keep your energy levels up (and your crankiness levels down) so you won't have to dose up on caffeine, which tends to make jet-lag symptoms worse.

Grab some Ziploc baggies and make these 100-calorie snack packs prior to boarding the plane.

One Horizon organic mozzarella cheese stick: 80 calories
Three cups of air-popped popcorn: 93 calories
One Lundberg organic brown rice cake smeared with one tablespoon hummus: 70 + 23 = 93 calories
Two large red bell peppers cut in strips: 85 calories
Eight Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato Chips: 93 calories
One date paired with five almonds: 66 + 35 = 101 calories

Keep reading for more 100-calorie snack ideas.

Snack Attack: Lower Fat Peanut Butter Raisin Spread

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:26:52 PDT

I used to be addicted to peanut butter. I ate it on apples, on bread, on pretzels, on ice cream, and even straight-up on a spoon drizzled with a little honey. I thought it was OK to devour gobs and gobs of the peanut buttery goodness because it was made from all natural peanuts. Then I realized there are over 200 calories in a two-tablespoon serving. No wonder I was gaining weight way back in college.

If you're a huge fan of peanut butter, here's a healthier version you can spread on your crackers and bananas till your heart's delight. The consistency is smooth, yet a little chewy, and the flavor is phenomenal. Since it's made with peanut butter it's not low in calories or fat, but it's lower than regular peanut butter for sure. To see my simple recipe, keep reading.

Sweet Treat: Easy Apple Crumble

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:46:17 PDT

Here's a simple snack (or dessert) that's a cinch to whip up and can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on your mood. It's just like enjoying a bowl of apple crumble, but without all the calories, fat, and sugar.

Keep reading to see the easy recipe and find out the nutritional info.

Celebrate Your Love of the Smoothie With These Refreshing Ideas

Heather Dale — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:00:08 PDT

Adding a delicious smoothie to your morning ritual can give you an energy boost and provide a healthy start to your day. I love creating new smoothie creations by adding nutritional ingredients to the fresh fruit I have on hand. To spark some smoothie inspiration, I've rounded up some of my favorite recipes for you to add to your smoothie-making arsenal. As with all all smoothie recipes, feel free to add your own flair and favorite ingredients to make it uniquely yours.

Access the entire smoothie list here.

Snack Attack: Peanut Butter and Honey Balls

Michele Bell — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:30:30 PST

If you're a peanut butter lover, I've got a snack for you. Chock-full of protein, iron, and fiber, these tasty treats are delicious sources of healthy nutrients, but they're also bursting of flavor. Discovered on one of my favorite new websites, 100daysofrealfood.com, this small and powerful snack is made without the help of any processed foods.

Sound enticing? Come check out the simple recipe!

Snack Attack: Spice Up Your Cottage Cheese

Michele Bell — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:00:07 PST

Some people have a serious hankering for cottage cheese. I like the white stuff alright, but it's the fixins that really make me crave the lowfat snack. Apples and oats are always a delicious addition, and avocado cups make me happy, but the easiest and perhaps tastiest treat I've found so far comes in the form of a cinnamon stick.

When your sweet tooth attacks, satiate it with a few sprinkles of cinnamon on a small bowl of lowfat or nonfat cottage cheese. The combination of the natural spice and cottage cheese will add just the right amount of kick to your taste buds while providing the benefits of calcium, vitamin D, and keeping your blood sugar levels in check. You'll be surprised you're not lapping up dessert!

Flickr user S. Diddy

Edible Gift: Toasty and Tasty Almonds

Michele Bell — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:10:28 PST

One of my favorite perks of the holiday season are the homemade treats that my friends deliver to the house. To reciprocate the kind gesture, I considered doing some canning and cooking for their gifts, but then thought better of the little time I have and decided a jar full of tasty and toasty almonds was a better option. On their own, almonds offer up a bevy of health benefits with the loads of protein, vitamin E, and fiber, just to name a few. Add a dash of cinnamon and a bit of egg protein and you've got yourself a snack that is bursting with flavor and other healthy perks. So before you go buy a bottle of wine for that holiday party, remember to give this a try. It may be more memorable and tasty than any old merlot could hope to be.

Ready to see the recipe? Just

Cinnamon and Sugar Toasted Almonds
allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 egg white
1 teaspoon cold water
4 cups whole almonds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
2. Lightly beat the egg white; add water, and beat until frothy but not stiff. Add the nuts, and stir until well coated. Mix the sugar, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until golden. Allow to cool, then store nuts in airtight containers.

Print recipe with images | without images

Snack Attack: Hot Chocolate Gets Cold

Michele Bell — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:50:48 PST

About this time of year, there may be nothing better than sitting in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. But, when you're at your desk and the afternoon sweet craving hits you, a hearth and a cup of marshmallows may not be too easy to find. Have no fear, a cup of yogurt is here. Instead of cozying up to a toasty mug, satiate your sweet tooth with a no-fat treat that will bring images of the flames to your mind sans the fat and calories that accompany most cocoa filled snacks.

All you need is a cup of fat free vanilla (or plain) yogurt and a packet of fat free Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix. As simple as can be, just pour the dry ingredients into the yogurt container and swirl it up. You won't believe the flavorful snack is fat-free and chock full of protein and calcium. You just may find yourself scooping this up in front of the fire!

Nutritional value hot chocolate and yogurt: 160 calories, 0 g fat, 29 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 22 g sugar, 10 g protein