MISSION, Kan., April 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features)
Snacks are a way of life for people of all ages, but especially
children, who consume about 25% of their daily calories from
snacks, according to research published in the "Journal of
Nutrition Education and Behavior." Providing nutritionally balanced
snacks for your children at home can make for a happy and healthy
day.
Planning snacks that are as delicious as they are healthy is a
winning solution, and snacks are a simple way to add more nutrition
to your child's diet.
For example, low-fat and fat-free dairy foods are essential to
children's growth and overall wellness. They provide calcium and
vitamin D, two nutrients kids don't get enough of, according to the
2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines recommend 2-3
servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods every day, depending
on the child's age.
Giving kids a role in the preparation can give them added
incentive to enjoy healthy treats, and these recipes are all easy
enough that kids can make them on their own (or with minimal
assistance). Giving your kids the ability to play a role in the
kitchen and create is a gift that can last a lifetime. The culinary
skills they develop early in life can give them the confidence and
know-how to cook nutritious meals for themselves as teens and
adults.
Get more ideas to get kids cooking and snacking smart at
milkmeansmore.org.
Red, White and Blue Greek Yogurt Bark
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
3 cups plain
non-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup honey, plus additional for
drizzling (optional)
1 teaspoon
vanilla
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced into
rounds
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries, halved
In medium mixing bowl combine Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup honey and
vanilla.
On parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spread Greek yogurt
mixture to 1/4-inch thickness. Press strawberries, blueberries and
raspberries into yogurt. Freeze at least 3 hours. Break into pieces
upon removing from freezer.
Dairy: Did You Know?
Dairy foods can add taste and versatility to your plate, but
they also deliver a unique package of essential nutrients important
for good health.
- Milk has a unique combination of nine essential nutrients:
protein; calcium; potassium; phosphorus; vitamins A, D and B12;
riboflavin and niacin. Each of these nutrients is a key ingredient
of milk and they all work together to help keep bodies
healthy.
- Milk, cheese and yogurt are good sources of high-quality
protein, which is essential for growth and maintenance of muscle
and other proteins within the body.
- Enjoying dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt as part of a
healthy diet is associated with many health bonuses, including
reduced risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and high blood
pressure.
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
3/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 dash
cinnamon
apples, graham crackers or other dipper of choice
In bowl, six Greek yogurt, peanut butter and cinnamon until
smooth.
Serve with apples, graham crackers or another dipper of
choice.
Good Morning Yogurt Parfait
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
1/2 cup sliced or diced fruit, any
variety
6 ounces low-fat
or fat-free vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup granola or other cereal
(optional)
In small bowl or cup, layer fruit and yogurt, starting with
fruit on bottom. Top with cereal or granola, if desired.
Note: This recipe can be made using low-fat or non-fat cottage
cheese sweetened with honey and cinnamon.
Frozen Banana Pops
Prep time: 2 hours
Servings: 8
4 large bananas,
peeled
8 wooden ice pop
sticks
2 cups vanilla
non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup creamy natural peanut
butter
Cut each banana in half and carefully insert wooden ice pop
stick in bottom of each , about one-third into banana. Place
bananas on large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze
bananas until partially frozen, about 30 minutes.
Carefully dip each banana in tall pint glass of vanilla yogurt
to coat, leaving 1/2-inch at bottom of banana uncoated. Return
yogurt-coated bananas to parchment paper-lined baking sheet and
freeze until completely firm, about 1 hour.
Microwave peanut butter until smooth and creamy, about 30-45
seconds. Drizzle peanut butter evenly over bananas then place on
baking sheet to freeze until peanut butter is firm, about 30
minutes.
Serve immediately or wrap each banana in plastic wrap and store
in freezer up to 3 months.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
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content, Family Features provides readers with topically and
seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos,
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SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate