Searching for a wholesome snack concept for teenagers? Meet the Snack Platter: simple, enjoyable, and stuffed with nutritious stuff.
Thanks to Want Farms for sponsoring this publish. They’re a 4th era household farm that produces berries together with Pink-a-Boo® Pineberries, the brand new blush-pink berries on the plate above.
As a dietitian, I get numerous questions: Is sugar toxic? (No.) Ought to I’m going on a kind of juice cleanses? (Additionally no.)
However one of the frequent questions I get is that this: What sorts of snacks ought to I feed my youngsters?
My reply is that typical “enjoyable” snacks–all of the stuff marketed as snack meals like chips, cookies, and cheese crackers–are completely advantageous generally.
However more often than not, snacks ought to merely appear like the type of meals you serve at mealtime, like fruits, greens, complete grains, meats, beans, cheese, and nuts.
As a result of in case you solely serve “enjoyable” snacks to your youngster at snack time, meals–with their boring ol’ common meals–are going to lose their attraction.
Fortunately, there’s a method to rework that meals into one thing particular: The Snack Platter.
What’s a snack platter?
I’ll allow you to in on just a little secret: The snack platter is definitely simply meals. On a plate. But once I announce, “I made a snack platter!” my youngsters are psyched.
Actually, a number of years in the past I overheard my son boasting to his pals, “My mother makes the BEST snack platters!”
Typically, all you want is just a little re-branding.
Primary formulation for a snack platter
- A dip like hummus, nut butter, ranch dip, or guacamole
- Acquainted grains like crackers, pita, and pretzels
- Protein-rich meals like hard-boiled egg, cheese, rolled-up deli meat, edamame, or leftover roasted hen
- Veggies or fruits they already like, whether or not that’s child carrots or grapes
- Veggies and fruits which are much less acquainted or surprising, like these Pink-a-Boo® Pineberries proven under, that are a fairly blush-pink when ripe (scroll right down to learn extra and see the place yow will discover them in your space)
The perks of a snack platter
- The number of meals implies that your youngsters will get a mixture of vitamins, like completely different nutritional vitamins and minerals.
- You possibly can clear out the chances and ends out of your fridge and pantry, and a very random assortment of meals will look purposely fancy.
- Much less acquainted meals look much less intimidating alongside issues they already like, and veggies which may be a tough promote at mealtime look enjoyable and extra-appetizing.
- It doesn’t contain reducing something into enjoyable shapes or making a face on meals (although if that’s your factor, that’s cool too!).
- On a very hectic night time, a Snack Platter also can develop into dinner.
How massive ought to your snack platter be?
your child and their urge for food greatest. Be sure to preserve snacks far sufficient away from dinner to construct an urge for food once more.
What must you use for a snack platter?
Only a common plate. Or use a small tray. You may as well escape your “good” plates or a flowery serving dish to make it really feel extra particular. Collect smaller objects like cheese cubes or berries utilizing silicone muffin cups (right here’s the rectangle measurement I’ve).
One other snack concept for teenagers that’s nice for youthful ones: Fill the compartments of a muffin tin with meals.
About Pink-a-Boo® Pineberries
Pineberries are a cross between a Florida crimson strawberry and a Japanese white strawberry, pale pink when ripe and dotted with crimson seeds. They’re candy like strawberries with a touch of pineapple taste. That is the primary yr they’re extensively obtainable, so test the produce aisle (See the place yow will discover pineberries in your space). These would make a enjoyable shock on a snack platter!
