healthy and delicious summer snacks

A dairyfree sweet treat that couldnt be simpler! Frozen juice or water plus fresh fruit (or chocolate or other creative add ins!) makes for a lowcalorie alternative to regular ice cream. At only 78 calories per serving this Lemonade Iced Tea Sorbet recipe from Cooking Light sounds like a dream.

An underappreciated fruit in our book the kiwi packs some surprising health benefits. Two antioxidants found in the tangy green fruit have been linked with eye health and it may also naturally lower blood pressure. One kiwi only contains 42 calories with a hearty dose of fiber and vitamin C too.

Fresh cherries although delicious can be pricey. Frozen cherries are gentler on the wallet with all the same nutritional benefits lots of vitamin A and a good dose of fiber all for just 71 calories per cup. The cold fruit is perfect for a sweltering day!

A dash or two of cinnamon on your favorite type of apple makes for a decadent taste without the calories or fat of say apple pie. A mediumsized apple has 95 calories and if you eat it with the skin on more than four grams of satisfying fiber.

With all that water (where did you think it got its name?) watermelon helps you stay hydrated on the hottest days. One decentsized wedge has 86 calories. Seedspitting contest optional.

When summer comes around and my daughter is out of school Im always looking for projects to keep her busy and healthy recipes to keep her fed. One day last summer she inspired me while playing with popsicle sticks and eating a snack of fruit and yogurt. Instantly this recipe was born and it was a hit. Best thing is at fouryearsold she can make this recipe all by herself with little help from me. To stimulate her mind and to boost her creativity I sometimes give her an assortment of fruits and toppings. These Frozen Yogurt Covered Strawberry Pops are perfect to keep kids of all ages busy while learning healthy snacks can be fun as well as delicious.

Nothing will make my daughter run for her room like spinach. She can sense it from a mile away

Let your kids play with their food by making this creative crudit

Roasting the strawberries in this parfait recipe brings out their natural amazing flavor and creates a luxurious syrup while still maintaining a firm texture. This is a natural snack at its best

I tend to steer clear of food that requires a lot of assembly or repetition. Also Im not a big pretzel fan. But when you combine salty little pretzels with my two alltime favorite foods chocolate and peanut butter Im pretty much helpless. And these turned out to be very quick and easy to assemble (and even quicker and easier to eat).