Need Summer Snack Ideas

[Luvmy4boys]

I'm bored with the usual chips and dip for summer get togethers. Since we are the only ones with a pool our house is pretty popular during the summer. I wish I had some more healthy but yummy snack ideas. When you are sitting around in your swimsuit you don't want to eat too heavy. I'm not a big fan of fruit but usually have grapes for the kids to munch on. Anyone else have some somewhat healthy low fat snack ideas? Thanks.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I love fresh cut-up fruit in the summer. Especially after being outside in the sun by the pool. Watermelon, oranges, grapes, etc. Easy to eat and easy to serve! But I know fruit can get pretty pricey, especially if your feeding a larger group. You can also buy little finger foods like chicken nuggets or even something like chicken or egg salad.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Have you tried hummus?
Use it as a dip for crackers or pita bread and veggies or use it as a spread for various sandwiches.

There are lot of varieties and it's actually really easy to make. Search for recipes online.

Also try fresh bread with various olive oil dips.

 

[Hillbeans]

I went to a birthday party over the weekend and the host had a platter of small warm soft pretzels with 3 kinds of dipping sauces (chocolate, cheese and something else). I am not a fan of pretzels usually but they were delicious and something different.

 

[JoBird]

I just found the most awesome thing at our Sam's club on Sunday-- it's especailly good for kids.

They were handing out what looked like a popsicle in a tube. Like a GoGurt-- only it's frozen- and it tastes like a popsicle- like those Flav-o-ices we ate as children that would get ya all hyper.

Anyway- this stuff is called Fruit Chillers and it's actually made of fruit- but it fooled my super picky daughter- who eats nothing of the sort.
The box says it's got 3 1/2 pounds of fruit in each box.

Anyway- good for hot kids when they're needing something to cool them down.

Jo

 

[Luvmy4boys]

Have you tried hummus?
Use it as a dip for crackers or pita bread and veggies or use it as a spread for various sandwiches.

There are lot of varieties and it's actually really easy to make. Search for recipes online.

Also try fresh bread with various olive oil dips.

Good ideas! I think I tried hummus years ago at a friend's house and liked it but then forgot about it.

I just found the most awesome thing at our Sam's club on Sunday-- it's especailly good for kids.

They were handing out what looked like a popsicle in a tube. Like a GoGurt-- only it's frozen- and it tastes like a popsicle- like those Flav-o-ices we ate as children that would get ya all hyper.

Anyway- this stuff is called Fruit Chillers and it's actually made of fruit- but it fooled my super picky daughter- who eats nothing of the sort.
The box says it's got 3 1/2 pounds of fruit in each box.

Anyway- good for hot kids when they're needing something to cool them down.

Jo

Wow! I'll have to look for these. Since I don't eat fruit either maybe I could fool myself.

Anyone else have ideas? Keep them coming!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We try to avoid all useless calories and heavy carbs like chips, pretzels, bread, etc.

We have a pool and love to have pool parties.

We often grill asparagus and wrap paper thin slices of prosciutto around them, have a variety of cheeses (we'll then offer a high fibre, whole grain type of cracker) olives, roasted garlic, those sorts of things.

We sometimes do leaf lettuce wraps (filled with any sort of things, grilled shrimp, whatever lends itself to being wrapped!) and small bites like grilled scallops, etc.

We really enjoy seafood and it is healthy, so we try to incorporate that per availability of the season. If you choose seafood that is in season it is quite cost effective.

We also do platters of grilled vegetables (peppers, seasonal squashes, mushrooms - all varieties, and even sometimes romaine).

Once you get the hang of substituting healthier food for empty calories/low/no nutritional choices, it becomes a way of life. Not only do your friends thank you, but your body does too!

Oh, we do add dark chocolate from time to time and red wine. Depending upon the gathering, we'll do red wine spritzers sometimes.

Anyway, all that to say, it's really nice to offer things other than the usual. You're a good friend!

 

[MoniqueU]

Our house is the hangout house as well. The most popular snack is frozen gogurt. They also like watermelon. I usually have people here all day and overnight as well so I have to keep alot of chips on hand, cereal and stuff for grilled cheese sandwhiches for lunch. I also keep a large stock of goggles, sunscreen, swimsuits and towels on hand. it's alot of work but I can't wait for summer.

 

[Disney Doll]

We just had a cocktail party and DH did small little rounds of Italian bread with goat cheese spread on them and some dill sprinkled over them and people raved about them.

Hummus is another good one.

Bruschetta is good as well.

 

[minkydog]

My kids love cheese cubes. I cut up low-fat mozzarella and colby cheese. I pair the cheese with watermelon cubes, red grapes, whole strawberries, bananas, fresh pinapple. Whole wheat pita bread cut into 1/4ths and saltine crackers are also low in calories. You could even make a light pasta salad with whole wheat penne and fresh veggies cut up small, tossed with a little olive oil or ranch dressing.

And then there's always PBJs

 

[Mrs.Toad]

How about the old standby of veggies and dip? We love that!

A big bowl of popcorn is usually a hit. Or those little pinwheel sandwiches made with tortillas. You can make some with turkey, some just cheese and/or veggie. I love sushi on a summer day, but it would get pricey if you're having lots of get togethers.

Caprese salad is easy to make and yummy. Also, I make a simple edamame salad that most people compliment. Just get frozen, shelled edamame in a bag at the grocery store, thaw and add diced tomato and shredded parmesan cheese and your favorite Italian or vinaigrette dressing. Edamame in the pod is a great finger food to munch on, too.

mmmmm, I'm getting hungry!!

 

[Luvmy4boys]

mmmmm, I'm getting hungry!!

Me too! These are all great ideas!! I'm so glad summer is coming. It was a long cold winter and spring! Can't wait to be sittin' by the pool!

 

[Kimberly]

ANY kind of cold cut up Melon. Always have that out by my pool when I have friends/family over. My parents are usually up at my house at least one day a week on the summer weekends. Grapes work too, but I'm not too keen on them at times.

Only time I put chips out is when my mom comes up with her 7 layer dip.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

There's alway shaved ice. You can buy either an electric or a manual machine fairly cheaply and you can either buy sugarfree syrups or make your own.

 

[JanaNs]

I love fresh homemade guacamole on a summer day. Here is the recipe I use:

2 medium ripe avacados halved
1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp fresh lime juice, plus more as needed
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp finely minced jalapeno chile
1/2 tsp kosher salt (or regular salt)
1/8 tsp ground cumin

colored tortilla chips for dipping

Basically you just roughly mash the avacado and mix everything in together.

And my favorite part.....It goes great with a margarita!!!

 

[amid chaos]

My kids friends ask for a platter of sliced mozzarella cheese (from a ball) and sliced cucumbers. salt and pepper both lightly.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Not so healthy but hey it's summer and they are kids, right?

Cocktail Rye slices
Spread Chez Whiz
Sprinkle with oregano
Add a slice or two of pepperoni...

Broil in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes til pepperoni is bubbly...

 

[ORMom2Four]

We love strawberries with strawberry fruit dip. We make ours from 1 pkg strawberry cream cheese blended in a blender/mixer with 1 jar of marshmallow fluff.

Not the healthiest, but really yummy.

 

[MoniqueU]

Some of you have pretty gourmet snacks for the kids. No way I could get my kids or their friends to eat some that have been posted here. We just stick to the basics.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Hi MoniqueU. We got around that type of objection by involving the younger family members in the preparation of the food items.

The little guy just loves asparagus if he's the one who has snapped off the woody stems and rinsed them under the faucet. Same for anything else that we can involve him in preparing. He loves to help and we introduce the food as having been "prepared especially for you by..." He eats it up! Literally and figuratively.

So, maybe if they help prepare some new items, they'd be more willing to try them?