I'm a nutritionist – here are the 4 best healthy snacks for kids this summer | The Sun

WITH summer holidays around the corner, many parents will be gearing up to receive an onslaught of snack request from their kids.

In most cases, your children will be hankering for foods that are maybe not so healthy: crisps, sugar-packed ice lollies, fizzy drinks and slushies.

If you're looking for some healthier options to satisfy their summer food cravings, you need look no further.

Registered nutritionist and Sunday Times best-selling author of The Science of Nutrition, Rhiannon Lambert, shared her favourites.

1. Frozen fruit yoghurt ice lollies

If your kids are begging for an ice cream on a hot summer afternoon, try a frozen fruit yoghurt version instead.

"These are a wonderfully refreshing yet nutritious snack for kids to enjoy in the warmer weather," Rhiannon said.

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"Many shop bought ice lollies tend to be high in saturated fats and sugars, so making your own using freshly chopped or frozen fruits and Greek yoghurt is a great way to get important nutrients such as fibre and vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin D."

And if you want to keep your tots busy and entertained, Rhiannon suggested you ask them to help make them.

"These can also be a fun activity to get kids in the kitchen," she added.

2. Chopped fruit skewers and yoghurt dips

If your children are a little older, Rhiannon suggested they might enjoy chopped fruit skewers.

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"Why not use bananas, grapes, berries, orange segments, and green apples to create your rainbow skewers to dip into a creamy yoghurt pot," the nutritionist said.

This snack is packed full of powerful plant compounds such as polyphenols and antioxidants, plus vitamins such as vitamin C too. 

3. Egg muffins

Rhiannon suggested egg muffins as super simple, quick yet healthy and balanced snack for on the go.

"You can whip these up in 15 mins and use a variety of veggies such as peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli or corn, packing in those all important plant points to help improve gut health, as well as protein and essential vitamins and minerals too," she said.

4. Homemade carrot cake oat bars

Finally, Rhiannon suggested you whip up some carrot cake oat bars.

These might be another one you can get your kids involved in.

"Plus they don’t have any added sugar and use mashed bananas to hold the bars together," the nutritionist added.

"Add in rolled oats for some extra nutrition such as soluble fibre and B vitamins, as well as some bright, sweet carrots for vitamin A too."

Nutritionist Natalie Burrows recently revealed which eight children's snacks are masquerading as healthy – and why you should ban them from their lunch box.

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