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Snack Attacks

Robin Miller's Tips on Snacking in a Healthy Way

By Donna Smith

RM: Low-sugar cereal, trail mix, pretzels, bread sticks, crackers, cheese sticks or cheese cubes (reduced fat), mini sandwiches, homemade croutons (sweet or savory), pita cut into triangles, mini bagels, dried fruit, nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews) and soy nuts.

Mini sandwiches and mini pizzas (made on flour tortillas with sauce and parmesan), low-sugar cereals either dry or with fat-free milk, yogurt with granola on top, fresh and dried fruit, pretzels with mustard, baby carrots with ranch dip, a variety of trail mixes.

IP: What snacks do parents tend to give their children that they should really stay away from because of nutrition/fat, etc. issues?

Candy, chips, gummy fruit chews.

Bread sticks, pretzels, pita with hummus, wheat bread, nuts and soy nuts, cereal and granola (low-sugar varieties), fat-free and low-fat yogurt and cheese products, fresh and dried fruit.

Miller shares some of her favorite snack recipes. All recipes were developed by Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation.

3 cups whole grain O-shaped cereal
1 1/2 cups small pretzels
1 cup cheese crackers or animal crackers
2/3 cup blanched almonds
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (such as canola)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to coat. Spread mixture out on a baking sheet, in an even layer. Bake eight to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Serves six to eight.