Healthy Dip Recipes PLUS 50% Off Safe + Fair Purchase!

By Nicole Spain

Snacking is important for kids because their bellies fill up fast and they burn energy quickly.  Between meals, snacks give kids the extra boost of energy they need to keep learning, playing, climbing, jumping and just being a kid.

To select healthy snacks at the grocery store; follow this easy finger counting method. All you need are the nutrition fact label and ingredient label.  At the end if you have any fingers raised it is likely a healthy snack.

• Put your hand in a fist and raise one finger if the food has any of the following:
  • 10% or more of Vitamin A or C (1 finger for each)
  • 10% or more of calcium or iron (1 finger for each)
  • 5 grams of protein per serving
  • 10% or more of fiber per serving
  • First ingredient is a whole grain
  • Has 8 ingredients or less (pay attention to the kind of ingredients too. Try to eat natural sounding ingredients as opposed to chemical ones that are a hundred letters long)
• Next lower a finger if the food has:
  • 10% or more of Total Fat per serving
  • 200 or more calories per serving
  • 350mg or more of sodium per serving

At our schools you may see some new items on the menu such as Cinnamon Graham Crackers.  This new item was chosen for its clean label with all non-GMO ingredients & zero high-fructose corn syrup.  The graham crackers provide whole grains, fiber, protein and are low in sugar and sodium.  These graham crackers produced by Safe + Fair are also peanut and tree nut free.  If you are looking for a quick grab and go-to snack check out Remy’s Graham Crackers from Safe + Fair.   You can purchase online at https://www.safeandfair.com?discount=LCG50

Use the code LCG50 to get 50% off your purchase for the next 90 days!   Pair these with slices of fresh pears or peaches, a cold glass of low-fat milk, or try one of our two delicious dips such as Chocolate Yogurt dip or Harvest Apple Chip Dip to give your kid the energy they need at snack time!

Chocolate Yogurt Dip

Serves 4-6

½ cup plain yogurt
1.5 Tbs agave syrup
1 Tbs cocoa powder
¼ tsp vanilla
pinch cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Divide into 2-3 Tbs portions.

Harvest Apple Chip Dip

Serves 10

5 cups fresh apples, finely diced (approx. 5 apples)

1/8 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
2. Refrigerate until ready to use
3. Optional: you may want to add lemon juice if you are not serving immediately to avoid discoloration