Forget chips and salsa! This recipe is perfect for any fiesta or afternoon snack and it’s far more nutritious than your average bag of potato or tortilla chips. I added a touch of heat to these kale chips with a dash of chili powder and used sesame oil instead of olive oil for a savory taste you’ll love all spring.

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My 22-month-old, Hudson, is a great eater as far as I’m concerned. But that doesn’t mean he won’t dive into a bag of Goldfish crackers and devour them all. It takes a certain amount of effort to offer our little ones snacks that are nutrient rich and likeable.  Sure, its easy to fall into the rut of Cheerios, cookies and crackers and there is a place for all of this in a balanced diet. I also believe our kids learn to like the foods we give them regularly. So try these healthy snacks out for size and your little one will benefit from the added nutrition a cracker doesn’t always have.

• Beans: Like a Cheerio, beans are a great, packable, finger food. Having a cabinet full of canned beans like chickpeas and black beans is as simple as being stocked up on cereal. Pop open a can, rinse the beans and offer them as part of a meal or packaged in a baggie as a snack for on-the-go. Packed with fiber, protein and lots of nutrients this is a no-brainer. Plus, soft beans like cannellini are easy on gums.
• Dried Fruit: A great alternative to fruit snacks, dried fruits like apples and cherries are a tasty finger food that have a good shelf life, pack easily and of source are loaded with antioxidants and nutrition. Look for no or low-sugar options. Read more »

Mix up your snack routine with these fancy and fun low-snacks. Enjoy!

1. Roasted Sweet Potato with Salsa (92 calories)- Top half a medium baked skin-on sweet potato (51 calories) with 1/4 cup salsa (21 calories) and 2 teaspoons sour cream (20 calories).

2. Graprefruit Brulee (90 calories)- Sprinkle 1/2 a medium grapefruit (60 calories) with 2 teaspoons of turbinado sugar (30 calories) and broil until golden. (above, from Food Network Magazine)

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It doesn’t matter who you’re rooting for in the big game this weekend, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Game-day chips and dip don’t have to be loaded with junk. Tortilla popchips are made with stoneground corn masa (the same whole-grain corn used to make traditional tortillas) and have the same great crunch as restaurant-style chips, but they’re popped with a little heat and pressure instead of fried. Available in four flavors—nacho cheese, chile limón, ranch and salsa—they’re perfect paired with any kind of dip.

You can buy your own tortilla popchips or enter in the comments for a chance to win some. Just let us know, in the comments, your favorite healthy game-day dip. The contest starts at 10:00 a.m. EST today, and ends on Friday, February 1 at 5 p.m. EST.

We’re giving away one case each (that’s 24 single-serve bags!) to five lucky, randomly-selected commenters. You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate with you if you’re a winner.

You may only comment once to be considered and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 to win. For the first day of the giveaway, all entries (answers) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. EST on January 30 and 5 p.m. EST on February 1, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $31. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a Food Network, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

So tell us, what’s your favorite healthy game-day dip?

As we settle into our work groove and busy office routines, it’s too easy to grab a bag of chips or make a meal out of a box of Cheez-Its (which I secretly love), but that will quickly leave you feeling unmotivated and unproductive. Rather than raiding the snack machine, here are some great, simple, and healthy snacks to take to the office that will keep you feeling alert and active the whole day.

• Roasted Chickpeas – Here’s a crunchy snack that will give you the same satisfaction as a handful of chips. Chickpeas are packed full of fiber, iron and folate to support a nutritionally-balanced diet. Play around with this recipe and season the chickpeas to your liking: Try cinnamon or cumin instead of the Dijon.
• Frozen Grapes – A classic for someone with a sweet tooth. Grapes are full of polyphenols to help protect again heart disease. Stick your grapes in the freezer when you head to bed, and in the morning you’ll have a healthy candy-alternative to take to the office!
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Make over your not-so-great snacking habits in the new year with NatureBox. Instead of reaching for a bag of greasy chips when hunger strikes, grab a dietitian-approved snack that’s minimally processed and wholesome. Each month, NatureBox sends you a crate of loot that’s healthy and hand-picked. Boxes include items like wild blueberry flax granola, lemon pucker pistachios, dried apricots and garden tomato crunchies. For every box delivered, NatureBox donates one meal to Feeding America.

You can buy your own NatureBox or enter in the comments for a chance to win one. Just let us know, in the comments, how you plan to make over your snacking habits in the new year. The contest starts at 10:00 a.m. EST today, and ends on Friday, January 11 at 5 p.m. EST.

We’re giving away one box each to five lucky, randomly-selected commenters. You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate with you if you’re a winner.

You may only comment once to be considered and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 to win. For the first day of the giveaway, all entries (answers) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. EST on January 9 and 5 p.m. EST on January 11, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $19.99. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a Food Network, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

So tell us, how do you plan to make over your snacking in the new year?

Be prepared for snack time, any time. When hunger strikes, be ready with an arsenal of KIND bars in new Nuts & Spices flavors: Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan; Madagascar Vanilla Almond; Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt; Cashew & Ginger Spice. Whether you like your snacks sweet-and-spicy or sweet-and-salty, with so many options you’re sure to find a flavor combination that’s just right for you.

You can buy your own KIND Nuts & Spices Bars or enter in the comments for a chance to win some. Just let us know, in the comments, your favorite nut, chocolate and spice flavor combination. The contest starts at 10:00 a.m. EST today, and ends on Friday, October 26 at 5 p.m. EST.

We’re giving away one KIND Nuts & Spices Cube with 20 bars to five lucky, randomly-selected commenters. You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate with you if you’re a winner.

You may only comment once to be considered and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 to win. For the first day of the giveaway, all entries (answers) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. EST on October 24 and 5 p.m. EST on October 26, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $45. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a Food Network, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

So tell us, what’s your favorite nut, chocolate and spice flavor combination?

Clever marketing and confusing ingredient lists make processed junk look like a healthy choice for your kids. Get the facts about these healthy imposters.

Fruit & Vegetable Pouches
These squeezable sacks of suckable fruit and veggie concoctions promise mess-less nutrition but you might be getting more sugar than produce – many are sweetened with fruit juice concentrates (check labels). Even if your favorite brand’s recipe does only contain mashed fruits and vegetables, this process will destroy some of the nutrients and fiber. Plus, sucking food out of a pouch doesn’t exactly foster healthy easting habits as far as I’m concerned.  Handing off the occasional pouch is fine but these sacs should not become a replacement for good old fruits and veggies.

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Settle snack-time cravings with Hummuz Crispz and Baked Lentil Chips from Mediterranean Snacks. These all-natural bites are high in protein and are also gluten-free. Lighter than a cracker, but sturdier than a chip, Hummuz Crispz are baked with garbanzo beans and come in three flavors: olive tapenade, roasted garlic and roasted red pepper

You can buy your own Mediterranean Snacks or enter in the comments for a chance to win some. Just let us know, in the comments, your favorite snack to keep hunger at bay. The contest starts at 10:00 a.m. EST today, and ends on Friday, October 12 at 5 p.m. EST.

We’re giving away a mixed case of snacks with a Great Jute tote bag, chip clips and sunflower temporary tattoos to three lucky, randomly-selected commenters. You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate with you if you’re a winner.

You may only comment once to be considered and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 to win. For the first day of the giveaway, all entries (answers) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. EST on October 10 and 5 p.m. EST on October 12, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $30. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a Food Network, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

So tell us, what’s your favorite snack to keep hunger at bay?

About 2 hours into my first day on the beach this summer I realized I had not planned well. The ice cream man began ringing his bell which automatically triggered my hunger. I dug through my beach bag and found nothing resembling food. After taking a swig of warm water from my half-filled water bottle I realized I needed to plan a bit better for my next day in the sun.

It’s easy to crave to junk food when on vacation or stranded on the beach for several hours. For me, packing healthy snacks is the way to go especially because the last thing I want is to feel bloated or sluggish in my bikini. Here are my picks for beach-friendly snacks that can translate easily into options for any outdoor outing this summer.

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