Eating a well-balanced diet is an essential part of our overall health and wellness, especially as we get older. In addition to making smart food choices for meals, it’s important to eat wholesome, satisfying snacks throughout the day. Including a combination of fruits, veggies, and protein in your diet is a great way to stay energized and combat those mid-morning or afternoon cravings between meals!
This summer, stay satisfied with these healthy, tasty snack ideas:
Sip on a fruit smoothie
A fresh fruit smoothie makes a simple and delicious snack on any hot summer day. It can also be a great way to make sure you’re getting those important antioxidants and fiber without adding any artificial sugar. You can even use a smoothie to sneak in your daily dose of greens!
Here’s an easy, customizable fruit smoothie recipe to use this summer:
Ingredients:
½ cup of your favorite frozen fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, etc.)
½ banana (frozen banana optional)
¼ water or milk of your choice
Optional:
¼ cup of yogurt (plain greek yogurt or plant-based)
A handful of spinach or kale
Steps to making the perfect fruit smoothie:
- Start by adding a mix of your favorite frozen fruits to your blender, equalling a ½ cup.
- Add a ½ of banana to your blender. If you prefer an extra cold, thick smoothie, try freezing the banana ahead of time. Then add a ¼ cup of ice. If you choose to go with frozen fruit, feel free to skip this step.
- For those who like rich and creamy smoothies, add in a ¼ cup of your favorite yogurt. You can also add a handful of spinach or kale without changing the flavor of your fruit smoothie. Lastly, add in ¼ of water or your favorite milk.
- Blend and enjoy!
Reach for crunchy snacks
For those who enjoy crunchy snacks but want something other than vegetables, some healthier alternatives include air-popped popcorn, apple chips, rice cakes, nuts, and pretzels. In moderation, these choices make excellent summer snacks that will help to curb hunger throughout the day.
Hydrate!
It’s so important to stay hydrated during the summer months, especially before and after outdoor activities. In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, snacking on fruits and veggies that contain high amounts of water is an excellent way to stay hydrated. Watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, and grapefruits are all fruits that contain 90% or more water. Vegetables that contain high amounts of water include cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots. To add a bit more flavor to your veggies, try dipping veggies in hummus or another vegetable dip. These may quickly become your favorite summertime snack!
Experience delicious dining options in retirement living
If you love the comfort of a home-cooked meal — but not the hassle of cooking and cleaning up — it could be time to consider a move to a retirement community, where residents have access to delicious and nutritious dining options every day. At Bethany Village, our expert culinary team takes pride in curating a menu of diverse, well-balanced meals with familiar classics as well as exciting new recipes and flavors. Bethany Village also has a registered dietitian on staff to ensure that every meal we serve meets our residents’ nutritional and dietary requirements.
Find out more about the dining experience at Bethany Village today! Contact us to learn more about our residential living options and schedule a private tour of our beautiful campus.
