Snack Attack !!

We get “hangry” in this house! So, if I don’t have dinner on the table when the kids walk through the door, I try to have snacks for them to attack to stave off the hangry. Adult, teen, pre-teen, or child, here are some great options for you to mix and match when you need a quick and healthy snack!

• Mushrooms

  • If you want to take a deep dive into the benefits of mushrooms, check out our post from last August The Joy's and Benefits of Summer Mushrooms — Cultivate WNC.

• Bell peppers

• Tomatoes

  • Here is a recipe for Tomato Puree — Cultivate WNC

• Carrots

• Celery

• Pita chips

To accommodate the different taste palates my kiddos have, I chose a variety of dip flavors for them to pair with the vegetables. These are all great, clean, nourishing options to balance the vegetable snacks.

• Hummus

• Guacamole

• Tzatziki

• Peanut butter (with carrots and celery)

In a nutshell, most vegetables are known for their antioxidant (think cancer- fighting) and anti-inflammatory (aches and pains in your joints and bones) properties. Mushrooms in particular can be a good source of vitamin D (mood enhancing), zinc (immune and metabolism), and potassium (lower blood pressure). Peppers contain folic acid (B vitamin - healthy cells), fiber (healthy digestion), vitamin A (immune system, vision), and vitamin C (iron absorption, cell protection). Their color depends on when they are harvested. They begin as green and transition to yellow, orange, or red as they are allowed to grow and ripen. You may recall tomatoes are known for containing the antioxidant lycopene. Among other benefits, lycopene supports skin health. Other nutrients in tomatoes are potassium, folate, vitamin K, and vitamin A. Really, you can’t go wrong with any fruit or vegetables you choose, the key is to include more of these nutrient-dense foods in your diet! I hope this inspires you to mix it up with your snacks!

Stay tuned for more recipes, information, and adventures ... buon appetito!

For more information, inquiries about one-on-one visits with a dietitian, or other questions, please feel free to contact us at info@cultivatewnc.com

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