First, let’s briefly remind ourselves how important it is to get our children to enjoy healthy snacks instead of junk food. Otherwise, it is unlikely that we will make the small effort necessary to improve your eating habits, or be consistent in implementing long-term dietary changes. So, let’s be frank about it: healthy snacks instead of junk food mean things like better performance in school work, sports, and behavior in general. nowand avoid degenerative conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease later. If your concern is that junk food snacks are cheaper than healthier ones, just remember how much money you’ll save on your kids’ medical bills because you loved them enough to make them eat right and stay healthy, okay?

Alright, assuming your kids have a strong resistance to foods they suspect are healthy, let’s try some ‘new’ snacks like the following:

1. delicious balls. These can be prepared in a wide variety of ways and are like big marbles of concentrated sweetness and flavor. The base ingredient is usually peanut butter. If you can get freshly ground peanut butter made from 100% peanuts, all the better. Start with about a cup, then add about a half cup of honey, a half cup of oatmeal, some sultanas or other dried fruit, chopped nuts, or whatever you like. Add enough nonfat dry milk so that the mixture has a firm but slightly sticky consistency, then form balls and roll them in the coconut. Let it harden in the fridge for an hour or so, then eat. You can vary these balls by substituting carob powder as a natural sweetener, adding finely ground whole wheat, or any other natural ingredient. Tahini (sesame seed paste) can be used instead of peanuts. Children will enjoy making them themselves.

two. banana smoothie. (This would usually be classified as a ‘smoothie’, but since it sounds too nutritious, we’ll call it a ‘smoothie’). The trick here is to use lots of very ripe bananas that you have peeled and frozen. Overripe bananas have more flavor and sweetness, and using them frozen in the blender gives a thick smoothie effect. Use about three bananas per serving, with enough skim milk to blend. Adding a couple of raw eggs adds quality protein, gives it a natural yellow color, and any egg flavor is masked by the bananas.

3. Popsicle stick ice blocks. On hot summer days, your kids will love their homemade ice block treats. Purchase several of the pan sets so you always have plenty of these healthy frozen snacks on hand.

Apple granita. Fresh juice from whole organic apples, or peel and core non-organic apples before juicing. (Harmful aerosols are located on the skin or concentrated in the center). Don’t buy bottled juice because it has usually been pasteurized (heated) before packaging and you will lose valuable nutrients. Blend some of the pulp back into the juice to add fiber before pouring into molds and freezing.

Pina Colada. In your blender place either the contents of a can of pineapple (in juice, not syrup) or fresh pineapple, and a can of coconut cream or milk. Blend well and freeze in your molds.

coconut apricot. Mix the contents of one can of juiced apricots with 1 to 2 cups of fresh carrot juice. (Okay, they won’t notice.) Add your can of coconut cream and freeze. Of course, when it’s not summer, you can still use these mixtures for dessert or make them into jelly (gelatin).

Four. Popcorn. Who can resist the aroma of fresh, hot popcorn? Use a hot air popper, then lightly spray the popcorn with olive oil and sprinkle with a healthy “salt” or seasoning alternative. Your children will include whole grain corn in their diet while watching the show.

Childhood is a crucial time for developing healthy eating habits, so do whatever it takes to ‘sneak’ the good stuff into your diet.