Healthy snacks for hungry kids

It's summer. They're home. They're whining and, most of all, they're constantly hungry. So what's a mom to do?

Feed 'em!

Kids need snacks, but not constant grazing. You need to make sure the snacks are healthy and are going to do them some good, nutritionally. Just giving them the junk that they clamor for from watching too much TV is going to keep them eating continually. It makes sense, if you think about it. When your children (or you, for that matter) don't get the nutrition necessary, their bodies are still craving those nutrients and will keep signaling that it's time to eat— even after downing a bag of Doritos and drinking a whole liter of Pepsi. They might be temporarily full — but never satisfied because the body was never fed. See why is good nutrition so important?

So let's get a grip on this summertime food issue. Not having a plan (as we well know!) is a recipe for disaster. You know how to make a grocery list — how about adding some of these items on your list this week?

Veggie ranch. I think my son will eat anything with ranch dressing on it. It's not my very favorite thing in the world nutritionally, but if you blend it up with some nonfat cottage cheese, you've got a fairly decent dip. Add baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets and even some cherry tomatoes and you have a veggie platter they'll love. Keep your ready-to-go veggies (separated in big plastic zip-top bags) and dip (in a container) within easy reach and let that be your first answer when they ask. Remind your children to pour their dip into their own bowls — you just know they're going to double dip!

Favor fruit. Summer is fruit season. Snip some grapes from the bunch and they have a great snack to go. A banana is a seasonless fruit and easy to grab, too. Watermelon is perfect this time of year with the heat and everything — why not have it sliced up and cold in the fridge, ready to go? Ditto that idea with any melon. You might even make up a fruit salad of honeydew and cantaloupe. My troops love this treat and grab the plastic bowl and help themselves when it's in the fridge. And don't forget the perennial favorite: apple slices dipped in peanut butter.

Pop up. I am a huge fan of popcorn. Lots of roughage (like your grandma used to say) and a fun snack that won't take major bites out of your budget, too. Use an air popper (way cheaper than the microwave kind and none of those nasty hydrogenated fats either) and add a teeny bit of butter. We also add a little grated romano cheese. My kids love this!