A day trip to the beach is a perfect family summertime activity! After hours of swimming, playing and basking in the sun (with sunscreen applied, of course!) you and your little ones are bound to get hungry.
The key is to plan ahead so that you don’t rely on beach junk food like hot dogs and ice cream. Whether you keep a beach bag filled with snacks and/or bring a cooler along, you want to be prepared. Plus, the last thing you want is for your kids to feel sluggish and unhealthy during a day of fun or anytime!
Here are some great healthy beach snack ideas that will curb kids’ hunger and give them energy to get out there and play:
Fresh fruit
Make some fruit kabobs! Roll them in unsweetened coconut, sprinkle cinnamon or add some cool an refreshing mint leaves. Or bring seasonal whole fresh fruits (nectarines, strawberries, peaches) or watermelon precut in Tupperware. Don’t forget bananas! Fresh fruit makes a delicious snack that is perfect for the beach or any summertime outing.
Trail mix
You can make your own trail mix by combining dried fruits like apples, cherries and pears (make sure you purchase the no-sugar-added dried fruits) and nuts such as peanuts, cashews and almonds. Trail mix provides protein and antioxidants and provides plenty of natural energy.
Raw veggies
Veggies such as sliced cucumbers and celery, carrots, jicama and bell pepper strips make wonderful beach snacks. Bring some hummus for an added protein and flavor boost. Not only do they provide essential vitamins and minerals, many are a good source of water for your day of fun in the sun.
LÄRABARs
Made with dates, nuts, and other sugar-free ingredients, LÄRABARs are perfect portable snacks to take to the beach. They are available in a variety of great flavors like Peanut Butter Cookie, Cherry Pie and Banana Bread, and they are easy to transport.
Water
It’s always super-important to bring a lot of water and stay hydrated during any outdoor outing or event. When you’re at the beach, your kids are even more susceptible to dehydration. So bring lots of fresh bottled water along! Try adding some orange, lemon and lime slices or even some cherries to the water for added flavor and fun pizzazz.
If you’re bringing a cooler along to the beach, you have even more options for healthy beach snacks. Try packing some cheese (string cheese, Babybels, etc.) or some plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. You easily add some fresh fruit to make a small healthy meal. Cold cooked chicken drumsticks also make great snacks on-the-go.
Sandwiches on whole wheat bread (peanut butter and banana; sliced turkey and cheddar cheese; ham and Swiss) are also wonderful beach lunch additions. Or use lettuce leaves to wrap up turkey breast, tomato and hummus and secure with a toothpick. You can put cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and a whole grain tortellini on a stick too! Be sure to keep coolers nice and cold with plenty of ice packs, or you can freeze filled water bottles so you have water to drink too!