5 healthy summer snack ideas

As we ring in the New Year, there is no better time to kickstart some healthy eating habits.  Choosing healthy summer snacks instead of summer treats like ice cream and soft drinks can help to prevent weight gain during the warmer months and keep us on track with our health goals. We’ve created this list of healthy summer snacks for you to try.

1. Seasonal fruits

Together with the warmer weather, summer also brings some delicious seasonal fruits. Think mangoes, peaches, strawberries and pineapple. Packed with fibre and nutrients, these summer fruits make a great snack on their own or mixed together in a refreshing fruit salad.

• You could also try our fruit salad parfait and fresh fruit and yoghurt recipes.
• Try adding fruit slices to your water for a change.
• For more information on which fruits are in season during summer, check out our guide to fruit and vegies this summer.

2. Nutritious dips

Not only are dips a tasty summer snack; they can also be very nutritious especially when eaten with vegetable sticks or wholegrain crackers

• Try our vegetable sticks and hummus recipe for a fibre-rich snack.
• Guacamole, Mexican salsa or babaganoush together with baked wholegrain tortilla chips or Lebanese bread make a delicious and nutritious snack.
• For a dip that is also a source of calcium, try our tzatziki or minty yoghurt dip.

3. Homemade fruit ice blocks

During the warmer months we may find ourselves craving something ice cold and sweet. Ice cream and store-bought ice blocks usually contain lots of added sugar, however you can make homemade ice blocks using pureed fresh fruit. These are not only free from added sugars but also contain fibre. If ice blocks are not your thing, you can blend the frozen fruit puree to make a refreshing fruit frappe.

4. Smoothies

Just like the homemade fruit ice blocks, a fruit smoothie can be a refreshing and healthy summer snack. Try our berrylicious smoothie. You can change up your smoothies by adding different fruits and vegies.

5. Fresh salads

Summer is the perfect time to eat more salads. Not only do they make a great main meal, but salads can also be a nutritious and filling snack. Here are some of our favourites:

• Beans and vegies are great sources of fibre in our Mexican salad.
• Add cooled potatoes to our potato salad for some gut-loving resistant starch.
• Our Greek salad provides 3 serves of vegies.
• Our Mediterranean tuna salad also provides protein and omega-3s.
• Green apples and grapes are a refreshingly sweet addition to our Waldorf salad.

For more healthy summer snack ideas visit the Healthy Lunch Box website.