Healthy Snacks

USA (SANEPR.com) July 22, 2008 -- Snacking is a major part of our lives, especially when it comes to kids. This article looks at why healthy snacks are important for all the family and will provide you with some straightforward and interesting recipes. Foods with natural colors are on the whole good for you, like red apples, yellow bananas or orange carrots. Possibly the most important thing to remember is variety, a balanced diet will keep you healthy and fit as well as feeling good. First of all I am going to give you some snacking tips. Always make your snacks interesting A rice cake is better than a packet of potato chips but is probably considered boring, so why not spread peanut butter and raisins on the top, or find some quick recipes for a salsa. Prepare snacks in advance When you have some time chop up carrots, celery sticks, cucumber portions and other vegetables, place them in a sealed container in the fridge so as soon as you feel like snacking you can reach for the healthier option Keep snacks with you To save yourself getting caught out needing a snack when you're out keep snacks with you in your bag. Again the easiest and quickest are fruit and vegetables. Swap food When shopping always thinks of a healthier alternative to what you pick up. Instead of potato chips go for low fat crackers or rice cakes. If you want biscuits chose one that contains fruit alternatively make your own (see recipes to follow) Buying pre packed or readymade food and snacks usually means it will be less healthy than making your own. I will now provide a few easy recipes to make that are both tasty and good for you OAT BISCUITS Melt in Microwave - 1 dessert spoon golden syrup 1 dessert spoon cold water 4oz margarine Stir in 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (It will become frothy) Now add - 1 cup oats 1cup SR flour 3/4 cup sugar Mix together dried and melted ingredients. Roll into balls the size of a teaspoon. Put onto a greased tray and squash balls. Cook 125 degrees 10 - 15 minutes, until light golden brown. QUICK SMOOTHY RECIPY You will need 2 x bananas 1 tablespoon of honey 2 cups of milk 1 x tablespoon of yoghurt Method Peel the bananas, break them up into pieces and place them in a large bowl Take a fork and mash the banana so that it changes from lumpy to soft sludgy and creamy. Add the honey and yoghurt mix well with a fork until its all creamy Place the milk into the bowl and whisk the mixture with your fork until everything is mixed and pour into glasses. MUSTARD AND LEMON CHICKEN 4 skinless chicken breasts halved 1.5 tablespoons of Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons of margarine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice ½ teaspoon of tarragon Method Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a shallow oven proof dish In a saucepan, melt the margarine, add the mustard, lemon juice, and tarragon. Stir well and pour over chicken. Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until cooked There are simply heaps of quick, easy, fun and surprisingly nutritious recipes for all the family to enjoy.