Healthy Snack Roundup

Staying at home has become a way of life for many of us amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading us to indulge in endless snacks from the pantry. Here's some help to not fall victim to the so-called "Quarantine 15" and ensure your pants still fit once we're out of the woods. Check out these easy and healthy snack ideas for you and your family.

• Create your own trail mix by combining nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and even dark chocolate. Tip: Portion into ¼ cup serving sizes.
• Blend a smoothie using frozen fruit with Greek yogurt and milk of choice. Tip: Add some spinach or kale in for a sneaky serving of vegetables.
• Make a dip for your veggies using cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with dried spices and herbs. Tip: Try onion and garlic powder, dried dill, parsley and/or chives, with salt and pepper.
• Create deli meat “roll ups.” Spread meat with cream cheese (or string cheese). Tip: Add bell pepper, cucumber, or pickles for a nice crunch.
• Make hummus Blend garbanzo beans with lemon, olive oil, and garlic for easy homemade hummus. Tip: Serve with crackers, veggies, or wheat pita.
• Slice up some banana, apple, or celery and eat with natural nut butter. Tip: Top with raisins or dried cranberries for a chewy texture.
• Hard-boiled eggs make a quick protein-packed addition to any snack. Tip: Make a large batch in advance. Hard-boiled eggs with their shells still on can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
• ​Mixed nuts Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack. They're linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and may help prevent certain cancers, depression, and other illnesses.
• Red bell pepper with guacamole Pairing 1 large red bell pepper with 3 ounces (85 grams) of guacamole adds healthy fat and fiber while keeping this snack's calorie count under 200.
  
• Greek yogurt with mixed berries Combining 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup (50 grams) of mixed berries provides about 10 grams of protein and under 150 calories.