When kids pursue outdoor activities like skiing, skating, snow tubing, or sledding, they always feel hungry. Always. Hungry. While there are plenty of fast food options, they are usually unhealthy. Ok…pretty much… Always. Unhealthy. For parents who encourage their children to seek outdoor activities during winter time – and want to fuel the fun with great nutrition – here are some kid-friendly snacks.
Pack These 10 Kid-Friendly Snacks
If your family is not into hibernating, you need these snacks for outdoor activities:
- Trail Mix: This is a mixture of dried fruit, seeds, granola, berries, and nuts and is available in various sizes and flavors. This snack is rich in many essential minerals and vitamins. Trail mix quickly also diminishes the hunger pangs, so if you’re between ski runs or on your way to hockey practice, stop the hangry. If your child is picky, trail mix is available in many flavors and a variety of nuts. Or one can make a homemade trail mix combo that consists of pretzels, corn chips, chocolate chips, raisins, a variety of nuts, and dried fruit.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Well, they’re much easier to carry around than other types of eggs, right? Hard-boiled eggs provide a mean boost of protein and can be peeled and packed for a convenient snack. Need some more calories and sustenance for your little athlete? Pair with a string cheese stick for calcium.
- Roasted Peas: Another great snack for the outdoors is roasted peas. These are available in several flavors including spicy, hot, mild, and chewy. Peas provide a good source of carbohydrates and because they are digested slowly, the child will not feel hungry for many hours. Roasted peas also contain many minerals and essential vitamins.
- Meal Replacement Bars: These have become a popular snack for outdoor activities for many people. They are rich in calories, come in many flavors, and can also be gluten-free. The energy from a meal replacement bar will sustain the child for many hours and prevent hunger pangs. It is important to read the labels on the bars to determine the calories and sugar counts. For children, a bar with 220 calories is adequate.
- Fruit Salad: Yum. Fruit is one of the easiest snacks to prepare and also the healthiest. It can be combined with a variety of nuts as well for a protein boost. The fruits deliver easy to digest natural sugars which provide instant energy and boost alertness. The majority of fruit salads also provide an excellent source of vitamins. Can’t do fresh? Pack some dried fruit (and add some nuts) for an easy, grab-and-go snack.
- Yogurt: Today there are many varieties and flavors of yogurt which can serve as a snack while performing outdoor activities. For children, one can select the low-fat yogurt that provides ample calories. Also, all yogurt products are rich in calcium and phosphorus. The yogurt can be combined with nuts, pretzels, and even pieces of chocolate. (If your child will do dark chocolate, all the better!)
- Sandwiches: Hands down the best snacks for children being active outdoors are fresh, homemade sandwiches. Sandwiches can be made from peanut butter, eggs, cheese, ham, tuna, chicken, or sausage. To increase the calories, one can add some mayonnaise, avocado, or hummus. If properly made with the right nutrients, sandwiches can provide a good source of protein, fat, and carbs. Out on the ice rink or hiking trail, even a grilled cheese sandwich will taste great.
- Muffins: It’s easy to see why these are an all-time favorite snack for the outdoors. They come in many flavors and can be combined with a variety of spreads like cream cheese, butter, or even yogurt. Muffins are rich in calories, energizing, easy to carry, and are very healthy. DIY it: homemade muffins allow you to cut extra sugar and calories and pack in more nutrients.
- Peanut Butter: You can get single-serve packets of peanut butter (or other nut butters) that are easy to stick into a jacket pocket for an instant infusion of protein and healthy fats. It’s great on its own, or you can spread it on a piece of whole wheat bread, some whole wheat crackers, or veggie slices.
- Meat Snacks: Finally, if you want healthy snacks for outdoor activities, try all-natural meat snacks from Sweetwood Smokehouse. Munch on slow-smoked Grass-Fed Beef and Antibiotic-Free Pork available in an array of different flavors. In addition, all our meat snacks are perfectly seasoned to suit any taste bud, and they’re free of additives and chemicals. When enjoyed outdoors, Sweetwood Smokehouse meat snacks are instantly filling and provide an energy boost that lasts a long time.
Which kid-friendly snacks are you going to pack for your next adventure? These high-quality snacks for outdoor activities will surely get you through until mealtime!