Healthy and Delicious Summer Snacks

1. This refreshing summer snack is perfect for both kids and adults. Most fruits are low in calories and sugar so they make a great snack for those who are trying to lose weight. Strawberries, apples, cherries, blueberries, grapefruit and pomegranate are among the healthiest fruits you may want to eat daily. Many fruits travel well in your bag or in the car. Just mix your favorite fruits to make the healthy travel snack. .....

Yogurt with berries

2. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium, and berries are high in vitamin C and powerful antioxidants. Berries help your body combat stress, and they contribute to beautiful, glowing skin. Since berries contain water they also help you stay hydrated during the hot summer days. Yogurt with berries is one of the healthiest and most delicious snacks to try this summer. You can also add a whole grain cereal to your yogurt if needed. .....

Watermelon feta salad

3. Mix 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 2 cups of diced watermelon, and 1 tablespoon of chopped dill in a small bowl. This healthy summer snack should be eaten immediately, otherwise the watermelon can become soggy and tasteless. .....

Veggies with a light dip

4. Vegetables are low in calories and high in a variety of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, which help combat age-related diseases. Fresh vegetables with a light dip is a great, satisfying snack to eat on a hot day. Treat yourself to guacamole or hummus dip, or make your own vegetable dip with non-fat Greek yogurt and some ranch seasoning. .....

Green smoothie

5. Tear 1 cup of kale leaves into small shapes. Pulse 5 ice cubes in your blender until crushed. Add kale, 1 cup of fresh mixed berries, 1/2 banana, and 1/2 cup of water to your blender and blend until smooth. Green smoothie is a great slimming snack that will refresh you on a hot day. .....

Cheese sticks

6. This is a quick and easy summer snack that you can eat at home.Cheese sticksare packed with bone building calcium and protein. Cheese is also high in vitamin B that helps your body absorb and distribute calcium to build and maintain healthy bones. If you dont like cheese, try wrapping cheese sticks in whole wheat tortillas and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Add fresh salsa and enjoy a tasty snack! .....

Popsicles

7. Have you ever made your own popsicles? All you need is an ice pop mold and a blender. The ice pop molds are easy to find and buy during the summertime, so why not make the ice pops and invite your friends to enjoy this awesome treat? The flavor combinations of the homemade popsicles are numerous. You can use fruits and vegetables to make the yummy treat. .....

Bacon cantaloupe bites

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Trail mix

9. Whether you have a beach trip, a long hike planned or a bike ride, take along healthy trail mix. Combine raw nuts, dried fruits, chocolate nibs and unsweetened coconut to make the delicious summer snack. The raw nuts give you fat and protein, the dried fruits give you carbs, unsweetened coconut gives you protein and the cocoa nibs are packed with powerful antioxidants. Enjoy this crunchy snack any time you feel hungry. .....

Air popped popcorn

10. Air popped popcorn makesan amazing summer snack. This healthy, whole grain snack is high in fiber and its one of the best sizable summer snacks. Try to make your own popcorn to skip the salt and trans fat that the commercial popcorns are packed with. Toss in some Parmesan and rosemary or cayenne pepper and chili powder to add some flavor to your popcorn. .....

Fruit Kebabs

11. Throw chunks of your favorite melon or pineapple all the best berries and any bitesize summer fruit that tickles your fancy onto a barbecue skewer for an easy and colorful fruit kebab suggests Angela GinnMeadow RDN. At 39 calories per skewer this recipe leaves room for two! .....

Juice Cubes

12. Freeze your favorite 100percent fruit juice (or your own homemade fruit puree) in an ice cube tray then pop a cube or two into a glass of plain seltzer for a more naturallyflavored refreshing spritzer. Since an ice cube is about an ounce you can add three cubes of pomegranate juice for just 45 calories. .....

Frozen Grapes

13. Toss a few handfuls of grapes in the freezer for an extrarefreshing summer treat. An entire cup contains only 62 calories. .....

Homemade Ice Pops

14. When temps rise we all crave a tempting icy treat but if youre not careful ice cream and pops can cost you. Instead try a homemade ice pop loaded with fresh fruit like this recipe for StrawberryMango Ice Pops each with only 52 calories. .....

Grilled Peaches

15. For a decadent dessert GinnMeadow suggests grilling halved peaches then topping with a little vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. With half a large peach coming in at 34 calories you can add 1/4 cup of Edys Vanilla to round out at just about 100. .....

Caprese Skewers

16. Tomatoes are one of the seasons star superfoods thanks to a load of vitamins and antioxidants. Enjoying them with a little fat like that in mozzarella cheese! helps your body absorb those necessary nutrients even better. You dont have to be a master in the kitchen to assemble this fun take on a traditional caprese salad and each skewer will set you back only 58 calories. .....

Pickle

17. Craving a salty bite? A crisp dill pickle only contains 16 calories. The sodium count in pickles is high however (so high that some athletes use pickle juice to refuel on hot days) so stick to just one. .....

Chilled Cucumber Soup

18. This summery bowl packs lots of flavor for just 57 calories per serving. Cucumbers provide a good dose of fiber plus vitamins C and K. .....

Shrimp Cocktail

19. It sounds decadent but eight large shrimp (a lean source of protein!) and two tablespoons of cocktail sauce clock in at just around 100 calories. .....

Bell Pepper With Hummus

20. A cup of red pepper slices contains only 29 calories plus 117.5 milligrams of vitamin C (more than an orange!). Enjoy those slices with two tablespoons of hummus for an additional 50 calories. .....

Homemade Sorbet

21. 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. .....

Kiwi

22. 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. .....

Frozen Cherries

23. 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! .....

Apple With Cinnamon

24. 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. .....

Slice Of Watermelon

25. 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. .....

Strawberry Pops

26. 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 .....

Green Monster Smoothie

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

Homemade Ranch Dip

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

Roasted Strawberry Parfaits

29. 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 .....

Chocolate Pretzel Bites

30. 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). .....

Watermelon Pop Stars

31. These starry fruit pops make a cool treat for your Fourth of July celebration. .....

Cherry Lime Slurpee

32. As a kid in Texas I grew up with an affinity towards the 7Eleven Slurpee .....

Garden Octopus

33. Tis the season for gardens and farmers markets to be overflowing with local veggies. Encourage your kids to try a fresh bell pepper by turning it into a crunchy creature from the deep. .....

Red White and Blue Popsicles

34. Summer is synonymous with popsicles and theres nothing like a sweet and cold popsicle melting down your chin. When the temperatures heat up its a common sight to see my daughter and dog sitting outside on the porch covered in a tasty yet sticky mess. These red white and blue popsicles are the best of them all. Made with pure fruit and healthy yogurt this tempting treat is the perfect summer and Fourth of July dessert! .....