Back to School: Healthy Snacks & Lunches
It's hard to believe Labor Day is behind us and school is back in session! Our two youngest, Colin and Brandon, started school back in July and are pictured here ready to start 7th grade and 6th grade respectively. Colin is our child with type 1 diabetes, so packing snacks and lunches is a challenge. I have discovered some healthy, low-sugar options that he loves eating and I love making! They're even a hit with Brandon, too.
Here are our top four snack foods:
1. Energy Bar. This snack does not require a dehydrator, just a food processor. Ingredients include almonds and/or seeds, along with dried fruit. I call my recipe "The Andy Bar" after my college nickname. You can easily adapt this recipe and have fun choosing your own brand name!
View the Andy Bar recipe
The next three snacks require the use of a dehydrator. Did you know you can use your oven as a dehydrator? Just set it at its lowest temperature (usually around 170 degrees), prop open the oven door to help lower the drying temperature, and place a fan in front of the oven to keep the air flowing and avoid condensation.
2. Fruit Leather. Virtually any fruit or fruit combination will work. This is one of the simplest snacks to make, provided you have a food processor and an oven or dehydrator. I ferment the fruit to lower the sugar content, and my kids still love it! Feel free to be creative with additions like cinnamon, ginger, and other natural flavorings.
View the Fruit Leather recipe
3. Dried Fruit. Apples, bananas, and mangoes lend themselves well to this process. Simply slice and dehydrate using your oven or dehydrator. You can maintain the color of the fruit by dipping first in lemon juice, or you can slice and sprinkle with cinnamon and dehydrate.
View the Dried Fruit recipe
4. Kale Chips. Kale chips can be as simple as mixing oil and salt with freshly washed kale and dehydrating until crisp. Or you can add flavor and nutrition by incorporating other greens, vegetables, or spices. Be creative and enjoy making your own tasty, healthy alternative to those ubiquitous snack chips!
View the Spicy Kale Chips recipe
What about healthy, eco-friendly packaging for snacks and lunches? The following sites offer some great options:
