Having healthy snacks in between meals is a great habit! Snacking helps you eat mindfully, boosts digestion, and helps you stay full and energetic! As summer is full of fun activities, summer snacks should also be just as much fun! Healthy summer snacks should include food that is refreshing and hydrating. Our body works hard to regulate its temperature to compensate for the surrounding hot weather in summer. Cool summer snacks can help pour body do this. These snacks can include fluids, fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy frozen desserts. Healthy summer snacks should also be nutrient-rich, especially if prepared for senior adults or children. They should provide a sense of fullness without feeling as if one has overeaten. In a nutshell, summer snacks should also be quick and easy to prepare; they should be nutritious and hydrating and satisfy one’s appetite.
Let’s look at some Healthy Summer Snack Recipes below.
Healthy Summer Snack Recipes Discussed in Detail
- Popsicles
- Smoothies
- Popcorn
- Hummus with Vegetables
Popsicles
Fresh fruit popsicles are a great summertime snack, especially if you have kids. Homemade popsicles are a healthier alternative to store-bought ones and are extremely easy to prepare. You can make homemade popsicles from any leftover berries and other summer fruit. You can also create exciting combinations of herbs and various fruits. Homemade popsicles don’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as freezing your favorite fruit juice! Homemade popsicles are an excellent way to beat the summer heat and enjoy the season! Some great popsicle options that you can easily prepare at home include strawberry and Kiwi popsicles, ices coffee popsicles, orange and pink lemonade popsicles, watermelon mint popsicles, blueberry cream pops, and blueberry yogurt pops.
Smoothies
Smoothies are also excellent summer snacks. These cool and creamy treats are refreshing to drink. They are also healthy and packed with energy. You can make milk-based smoothies or yogurt-based, depending on what you prefer. Smoothies are also extremely easy and quick to prepare. You can always throw in your favorite vegetables and fruits and blend them into a delicious smoothie. Nuts can also add an enhanced flavor to your smoothie. If you are looking for the ideal healthy summer snack recipes, smoothies are an excellent option. Let’s look at some options of smoothies you can prepare.
Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie
Looking pretty in pink, this smoothie is a hit amongst adults and kids alike. It’s an excellent way to beat the heat and feel hydrated and refreshed.
Fresh Mango Smoothie
The best thing about summers? Mangoes! Mango smoothies are made with mango pulp, yogurt, and milk and are filling, hydrating and energizing.
Kiwi and Melon Smoothie
Blend melons and Kiwi along with milk or yogurt, and you have a delicious snack for yourself. Melons themselves make excellent snacks, and combined in a smoothie; it’s delectable.
Popcorn
Popcorn is an excellent snacking option. Quick and easy to prepare, popcorn is a favorite amongst adults and children alike. You can always buy microwave popcorn, but why not prepare your own? You can experiment with different popcorn recipes and tantalize your taste buds! Let’s look at some of these recopies below.
Butter-Lemon Popcorn
For this recipe, take six tablespoons of butter and cook it on a skillet for about 7 minutes until the butter is browned. Add the mixture with one and a half teaspoons of lemon zest, grated. Add this mixture over the popcorn and toss with two teaspoons of salt! There you go, you have your delicious popcorn ready to enjoy.
Garlic Herb Popcorn
Garlic Herb popcorn is just as easy to prepare. You must melt four tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and add four grated cloves of garlic. Also, add fresh rosemary and thyme and cook for a minute. Drizzle this mixture on your popcorn and toss it with salt.
Caramel Coated Popcorn
To prepare caramel-coated popcorn, all you need is cubed butter, light brown sugar, golden syrup, and vanilla extract. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and syrup to the mixture and bring it to a boil. Stir the mixture for a minute, and as soon as you remove it from the heat, stir in the vanilla. Pour the mixture on the popcorn and stir lightly until the popcorn is coated. Store the caramel popcorn in air-tight containers.
Chocolate Popcorn
You require milk chocolate, miniature pretzels, halved pecans, and melted butter to prepare chocolate popcorn. Combine the popcorn, pretzels, and pecans in a large bowl and set them aside. Melt the milk chocolate coating in the microwave. Drizzle it over the popcorn. Let the mixture be in a cool, dry place until the popcorn is set. Store your chocolate popcorn in an airtight container.
Hummus with Vegetables
Hummus with accompaniments makes an excellent summer snack. You can always buy store-bought hummus or prepare your hummus at home with canned chickpeas and tahini. Hummus is not only light and delicious but also full of protein. Have your hummus with wholesome vegetables like cucumbers, celery, and carrots. Not only is this a hydrating snack, but also filling and nutritious.
Our Final Thoughts
It’s a known fact that eating smaller snacks between meals helps eliminate hunger and makes you full for longer. You also end up eating smaller meals as a result. It’s always best to choose snacks high in nutrition and fiber and low in calories. The healthy summer snack recipes discussed in this article are an excellent way to stay hydrated and refreshed yet satiated this summer season!
