Healthy Snacks

USDA Food Pyramid

After many years of experience, listening to our customers and learning about child nutrition from our industry as well as from the medical field, we have created a brand new way of developing and implementing K through 6 menus. Our nutrition focused menus are nutritionally analyzed for their fat, sodium, protein, fiber, carbohydrate and calorie content. What will separate our menus from the rest will not only be their content but also our delivery system. Part of our nutrition program includes a healthy diet and nutrition education as a whole and incorporates them into a healthy lifestyle.

Southwest Foodservice Excellence was founded with the belief that we can make a difference in the lives of our children here in Arizona. We consider it an honor as well as our duty to instill habits that not only will properly nourish our children, but they will help them develop a healthy lifestyle that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Healthy Snacks

Morning Smoothie ½ cup fruit of choice, fresh (washed) or frozen 1 cup yogurt (low-fat), plain or fruit of choice ½ cup 100% apple juice 2 ice cubes Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until well mixed. Optional additions: Oatmeal, 1 tsp flaxseed oil or seeds, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract or a few drops of food coloring.	Graham Cracker Smackers Graham crackers Peanut butter or cream cheese Sliced fruit (Hoot Owl Holly’s favorites are strawberries and bananas for this snack) Wash and slice the fruit you have chosen. Spread peanut butter on graham crackers. Top the peanut butter with your sliced fruit.
Strawberry Surprise Strawberry Surprise is Hoot Owl Holly’s favorite dessert. The ingredients you will need: Fresh Strawberries One small container of light cool whip One small bag of chopped pecans Wash strawberries and cut them into bite sized pieces. Stir in cool whip and pecans and top with a Hershey’s Kiss or a few chocolate sprinkles if desired.	Heather’s Trail Mix Peanuts and/or other nuts Whole grain cereal Small pretzels Dried fruit such as raisins, pineapple, cranberries or banana chips Mini chocolate chips (if desired) Mix all ingredients in a Ziploc bag and take on trips for a healthy snack in the car or to have while running errands on the weekend.
Individual Banana Pudding Treats Make your family members a surprise treat. The ingredients you will need: Sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix (no cook) 2 bananas Graham cracker sticks Follow the directions on the box to mix the vanilla pudding. Gently stir in bananas. Spoon this mixture into small cups for individual servings. Place graham cracker sticks around the inside of the cups. You can even add a little light cool whip as an extra topping for decoration.	Cranberry Jell-O Treat 1 can (8 oz.) Crushed Pineapple, undrained 2 pkg. (4 serving size each) Raspberry Gelatin (use sugar free gelatin to cut back on sugar) 1 can (16 oz.) whole cranberry sauce 1 medium apple, cored and chopped 1/3 cup chopped walnuts Drain pineapple, reserving liquid. Add enough cold water to reserved liquid to measure 2 cups: pour into medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Add dry gelatin and stir for 2 minutes. Add cranberry sauce and stir until well blended. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours. Stir in pineapple, apple and walnuts. Spoon into 6-cup mold (or bowl) sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate an additional 4 hours. Unmold your beautiful creation onto a plate or serving platter and serve cold.
Bugs on a Log celery sticks 6 tbsp. peanut butter 2 tbsp. raisins or dried cranberries Wash and cut celery into long 3-4 inch pieces. Spread peanut butter into the U-shape of the celery. Gently press raisins or dried cranberries into the peanut butter. Enjoy your “bugs on a log” snack!	Fresh Fruit Kabobs with Chocolate Sauce 12 strawberries 6 marshmallows 24 melon balls (honey dew and cantaloupe) 6 ounces angel food cake cut into 1” cubes 1 1/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 Tbsp. low fat milk 6 wooden skewers Wash fruit and arrange fruit and cake on skewers. Melt chocolate chips and milk. Pour over kabobs. ENJOY!
Vegetable Dip I cup light (low fat) sour cream I package of dry Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix Stir ingredients together and use a dip for your favorite raw vegetables. Coyote Carlos’ favorite vegetables with this dip are: carrots, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower.	Calcium Rich Fruit Dip 2 cups low-fat (or fat-free) yogurt 1 small package of sugar free gelatin (your favorite flavor) Sliced fresh fruit—strawberries, apples, pears etc. Stir yogurt and gelatin together and chill well. Serve on a plate with the fresh fruit cut into bite sized pieces. Enjoy!