If you ever have been given the responsibility of providing healthy snacks for your child’s class or team, you know the prospect can be daunting. Many of these groups will have upwards of 15 to 20 kids! Reduce the stress by putting together something simple, healthy and easy to transport. Check out these 5 ideas, they’re sure to be a hit!
1. Sandwich Skewers
Skewers are a great idea for large groups because you can make a variety of combinations to suit different tastes. You also have the option of bringing the ingredients so that they can build their own! Be sure to check if you’ll need to include gluten-free products. Here are a few skewer ideas:
- Slices of turkey
- Swiss cheese cubes
- Whole wheat bread triangles
- Grapes
- Chunks of apple
- Salami
- Whole wheat bread squares
- Cucumber slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese slices
2. Veggie Cups
One of the biggest things to watch out for when making snacks is the amount of sharing going on- we want to share snacks, not germs! These veggie cups are a smart way to avoid double-dipping and monitor food intake. Our Interlocker™ containers are great for transporting pre-cut vegetables and dips for your class or team. When it's time to serve, simply fill kiddie cups with 2 tablespoons of dip, and place 5-8 veggies in each cup. You can use a variety of different veggies for this snack including celery, carrots, peppers, and broccoli. Create a couple of homemade dips that have less sodium and fat. Here are 2 great recipes:
- 2 cups plain, Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber peeled, seeded and grated
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Strain the yogurt to remove as much liquid as possible
- Peel, de-seed and grate the cucumber (remove as much liquid as possible)
- Combine all ingredients and chill
- 1 container of plain, Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. green onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Place a clean piece of cheesecloth over a bowl
- Slowly spoon all of your plain Greek yogurt over top
- Leave it overnight in the fridge to thicken
- Prepare and mix in your other ingredients
3. Ants on a Log
Didn’t you love this treat as a kid? ‘Ants on a log’ was the perfect blend of creamy, crunchy and chewy. The traditional version was made with celery, raisins, and peanut butter or cream cheese, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop there! Give the group lots of options to choose from with these yummy ingredients to have with their celery! Hint: If they prefer, use peeled cucumber as a substitute for the celery.
- Light cream cheese and grapes or dried cranberries
- Low-fat ranch dressing and peas
- Cheese whiz and Goldfish
- Greek yogurt and blueberries or mini chocolate chips
4. Double Cup Snacks
Double cup snacks are a great way to offer a combination of flavors during snack time. Using 15-20 small-sized cups, fill the bottom half of each with a healthy snack like grapes. Next, slide a muffin liner inside the cup, which will sit just above your healthy snack. Fill this with something a little sweeter like unsalted popcorn. Here are some of the other combinations you can try:
- Cherries and Teddy Grahams
- Blackberries and cheerios
- Apple cubes and mini pretzels
- Clementine slices and Goldfish
5. Frozen Fruit Salad
A fruit salad is a great option for large groups! Freezing the fruit beforehand offers extra crunch and excitement. Fill a large tray with a variety of fruits, and spoon out portions into small cups for the kids. We suggest a combination of grapes, strawberries, blueberries, mangoes and pineapple. Create a homemade dip that is sweet and simple, like the one below:- 2 cups plain, Greek yogurt
- 2 avocados mashed
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
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