Simple Summer Snacks

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When it's hot, do you find yourself snacking instead of eating a hot meal? Or maybe you are out and about longer during the day and hungry for a snack but you don't want it to end up on your thighs or behind. The stores are filled with all types of snacks, both healthy and not. What to do? I worked with a group of motorcycle cops and one of the tricks I taught them was to keep five or six baskets in their pantry. Every week they were to refill the baskets with portable, tasty and healthy snacks. As they left for their shift, they would grab several different snacks and put them in the storage compartments on their cycles. These snacks helped to keep their energy levels up and cut down the desire to stop and snack on less-than-healthy foods.

So, what makes up a great snack? It all depends on you. Remember, nutrition is personal. For example, if you're a stress eater you do better with a protein-carbohydrate combination snack. If you're diabetic, you most likely have a personalized plan from your dietitian that you follow. If you're watching portions, which most everyone is trying to do, how much you eat determines if it's a snack or a meal.know what I mean?

Snacks to try:

My current favorites are three snacks from the Archer Farms line at Target/SuperTarget.

• Archer Farms Dill pickle cashews
• Archer Farms Black pepper & sea salt low fat potato crisps
• Archer Farms Sunny cranberry trail mix with cranberries, almonds & sunflower kernels

All three of these are portable too. Just put them in a small plastic container and toss in your backpack, purse, or briefcase.

If you love nuts, check out Mrs. May's naturals at mrsmays.com. My husband really likes the premium fruit & nut crunch sold in a bag which contains cashews, almonds, blueberries and cranberries. He takes it to work and stirs pieces into his yogurt. It's also a great snack by itself. If you want bars to toss in your bag, check out their Trio bars made with nuts, seeds and fruit. Remember that even though nuts contain heart healthy fat portion control is important.

Are you watching a lot of movies this summer at home? Here's an easy way to make great popcorn . Buy regular or original popping corn, not microwave popcorn. Place about ¼ of a cup in a brown paper bag like you would use to pack a lunch, add your seasoning and oil if desired. Use one staple to close the bag and then microwave on high for about two minutes depending on your microwave. It's so easy. I learned this technique from Alton Brown on the Food Network.

More snack ideas:

• Hummus or guacamole with baked chips is easy and kids love both.
• Craisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries.you can find all types of dried fruit in various size bags. Dried fruit is good on cereal and stirred into yogurt or mixed into muffin/bread batter.
• Cheese: low fat pre-portioned such as Laughing Cow Baby Bel
• Almond butter on mini whole wheat bagels such as those from Pepperidge Farm
• Pumpkin seeds which are also great in a salad
• Try some of these satisfying simple summer snacks. They'll keep you satisfied during the long summer days.