When it’s summer time and the last thing you want to do is spend all day in a hot kitchen, a quick and easy snack is just what you need to get you through the day while staying cool! Snacking in between meals helps curb cravings, regulate blood sugar, boost brain power, and give you energy to keep going all day – The key is to choose snacks that are healthy and satisfying! Here are 3 of my favorites you’ll be sure to love:
Watermelon Feta Salad with Balsamic Reduction
This looks like 4th of July in a bowl! It is great as a snack on its own, but would also make a good side dish for a summer BBQ.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cups of chopped basil
For balsamic reduction:
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
Instructions:
1. To make the balsamic reduction: Mix together the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small pan over medium high heat. After about 5 minutes, the glaze should thicken up. When it is ready, it will be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon without being clumpy. Remove it from the heat and set aside to cool (This can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge)
2. Combine the watermelon, blueberries, feta and basil in a bowl and gently stir to combine. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and enjoy!
Notes: This will probably make more balsamic glaze than you need, but you can save it and drizzle it on top of just about anything (sandwiches, salads, bruschetta, pizza, etc.)
The salad tastes best when fresh, but it can be stored for up to 2 days in the fridge.
Tuna Salad Cucumber Cups
The crunchiness of the cucumber and the high protein tuna will keep you full and satisfied for hours. This is one of my favorites!
Ingredients:
- 1 large cucumber, cut into 1/2 to 1 inch thick slices
- 1 5oz can chunk light tuna in water (I use StarKist brand)
- 1/3 cup of mayonnaise (whichever kind you like, I use reduced fat)
- 1 tablespoon of spicy brown mustard (optional)
- 1/4 cup of diced onion (optional)
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Using a melon baller or a small spoon, scoop the seeds out of the cucumber to make little cups.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the other ingredients. Feel free to add more or less of anything depending what you like. Taste it once combined to see if you want to add more of anything (I usually end up adding more salt)
3. Fill the cucumber cups with the tuna salad, and enjoy!
Chocolate Drizzled Fruit Kabobs
This is one of the easiest but most delicious snacks! You can make this with whatever fruit you have laying around in the kitchen. I love it with pineapple, but I don’t have any at the moment. Try making this for picky eaters ; )
Ingredients:
- 1-2 bananas cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 cup of strawberries chopped in half
- 1 cup of green grapes
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 cup of raspberries
- 4 oz chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate)
Instructions:
- Assemble the fruit onto skewers, alternating fruit. Line the kabobs on wax paper.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave (on low) in 20 second intervals. Stir after every 20 seconds until the chocolate is melted. Stir it up until it is nice and smooth.
- Use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over the kabobs. Drizzle as much or as little as you’d like!
- Place the kabobs in the freezer for 1-2 hours before serving/digging in yourself.
Notes: These can be made in large batches and stored in freezer bags for up to 3 weeks in the freezer. If frozen, allow the kabobs to thaw for 5-10 minutes before eating however they must be consumed quickly after they thaw otherwise they will get soggy.
Let me know what you think! Or if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below for me to answer. Happy snacking!
