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Eating and Snacking Well in the Summer
Eating and Snacking Well in the Summer
By John Richey, Food Service Director, Aladdin Food Service

With ballgames, cookouts, and theme parks in this summer's plans, eating well can be a dietary disaster for kids. Let kids eat the traditional foods of summer, but in moderation. Make sure they play off the extra calories by getting plenty of outdoor time in the sun. With a few tweaks, summer foods can still be fun and healthy.

Ice cream and summer go hand-in-hand for kids. A good alternative is a sugar-free, fat-free fudgesicle. Homemade frozen juice pops are a fine alternative, as well. Or, a smoothie made with low fat yogurt, fruit juice, fresh fruit, and ice can be very refreshing and nutritious.

Take advantage of the summer harvest of local fresh fruits. Summer breakfast can be made healthy with whole-grain waffles and fresh-picked berries. Skewered strawberries and marshmallows can provide a fun and nutritious snack that kids can make themselves. Sliced melons in season make for a great addition to any summer breakfast or snack.

Drinks can be a source of empty calories, in the form of soft drinks or sugar-heavy lemonade throughout the summer. A healthy alternative is a spritzer made with half exotic juice (pomegranate or goji berry) and sparkling water.

Enjoy the summer but be mindful of the pitfalls of summer foods.