Swimming and playing in the water always work up an appetite. Snacking by the pool is one of the best things about summer.
What makes a great summer pool snack? It has to be portable, not too messy, easy to eat, and nutritious and satisfying. We’ve got seven ideas to throw in your backpack or cooler before your family heads to the pool, lake or beach.
1. Apples and nut butter
Sweet and salty, this easy, kid-friendly snack gives a quick burst of energy from the apple’s carbs and protein from the nut butter to keep you full.
Hard-boiled egg and sliced veggies
Another great mix of protein and plant fiber, with an ice pack in a cooler the eggs can stay fresh for portable, easy snacking.
2. Frozen grapes
You can freeze most fruits, but there’s nothing like the burst of a frozen grape. Delicious! Avoid any choking hazard and quarter or slice the grapes for your littlest ones. Watermelon and peaches are other traditional summer fruits – basically snack on whatever is in season!
3. Smoothies and popsicles
Blend some fruit into a smoothie or put the slushy fruit back in a popsicle mold for a fun, healthy frozen treat. Try our hydrating popsicle recipe for a healthy, protein-filled snack by using Greek yogurt. Worried about melting? Be sure to pack your pops with ice in an insulated steel water bottle to keep them frozen for hours.
4. Pinwheel sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are easy to make and eat, but take it up a notch with a pinwheel sammy. Use tortillas as your base, layer on your fillings – meat, cheese, veggie – and roll them tight. Use toothpicks to secure and then slice into pinwheels. Get your little fish involved in making them, and they may be more likely to gobble them up when you’re by the water!
5. Popcorn
With high fiber content, popcorn can be a great poppable snack that will keep kids feeling full longer, which means more swimming and more fun! Popcorn is a whole grain, and your kids may love to try it with seasonings such as grated cheese, nutritional yeast, or even cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat.
6. Raid the pantry and fridge
These shelf-stable pantry items are great for packing, and they can also double as good options for older kids, tweens and teens who stay home on their own more during the summer:
- Applesauce pouches
- Whole wheat crackers
- Mini granola bars
- Dried fruit, including raisins
- Beef jerky
From the fridge and freezer:
- Yogurt tubes (try them frozen!)
- Low-fat string cheese and cubed cheese
- Turkey or other lean meat
- Hummus
