It’s that time of year again.
The kids are back at school, and so begins a hectic couple months of work and social commitments that last well into the holiday season. If your fall days are packed, create these super quick pre-dinner snacks for you and your kids. The 11 treats below are healthy, fast and inspired by the flavors of fall. Enjoy!
Roasted pumpkin seeds and chickpeas
Nothing says autumn like pumpkin. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, and add a layer of pumpkin seeds. Sprinkle the seeds with a dash of salt, and then roast them at 325 F for about 25 minutes, or until toasted. If you’re in a pinch, try half a serving (1/8 cup) of Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds. Not a pumpkin lover? Roast chickpeas with cayenne and cumin instead.
Nuts
Add an autumn twist by roasting almonds, walnuts or cashews with a trio of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves. About one ounce of nuts is an ideal size for a snack of nuts.
Raw veggies and hummus
Slice your favorite fall veggies, and then pair them with hummus — but not just any old hummus. There are many, many flavors out there, including some that accent the season, such as smoked paprika and cumin.
Granola bars
Ditch the cookies, but keep the 8 ounces of non-fat milk to pair with this convenient, go-to snack. There are many seasonal granola bars, including flavors such as pumpkin, maple and cinnamon. Choose one with no more than 200 calories and 8 grams of sugar, and at least 3 grams of fiber.
Popcorn
Ditch the large bag of microwave popcorn in favor of 3 cups of the air-popped variety, topped with a pumpkin pie spice (a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and ginger). Complete this delicious snack with a small piece of cheese to keep you fuller longer.
Hot chocolate
Everyone loves warming up with a mug of hot chocolate as the weather cools. Make yours with a cup of non-fat milk, and welcome the cooler weather.
Homemade parfait
Grab an individual serving of cottage cheese (like Breakstone’s 2 percent) or a cup of low-fat plain Greek yogurt, and top it with berries. Add a sprinkle of Bear Naked Maple Pecan Granola to give it the delicious flavor of fall.
English muffin with nut butter
Savor the season by topping one of Thomas’ Pumpkin Spice English Muffins with natural almond butter or peanut butter. Try to limit the topping to 1 tablespoon. For a savory treat, consider spreading hummus on top of the English muffin.
Deviled eggs
Create a healthy version of deviled eggs by using low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Use only two- thirds of the yolk, and replace the rest with cottage cheese. Paprika is typically the star of this dish, but make it fall-appropriate with a pinch of allspice or nutmeg.
Seasonal soup
Hot, seasonal soups make a satisfying snack. Stock up on nutritious favorites such as split pea, lentil, black bean or chicken with vegetables, and stick to a 1-cup serving.
Baked apples
Baked apples are seasonal staples that are simple to make. Put the whole apple in a microwaveable dish with a little apple juice and cinnamon. Cook them for about three minutes on high, or until soft, and be sure to top the apples with a dollop of low-fat Greek yogurt to complete the snack.
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11 Fantastic Fall Snacks originally appeared on usnews.com
