A general lack of healthy Christmas snacks to hand is one of the biggest reasons we find ourselves reaching for the chocolates and mince pies around the festive period.
The temptation to dip into a box of choccies is never far away and, let’s face it, Christmas is a time for indulgence for both adults and children.
Fear not! We have put together a list of festive treats and nibbles that aren’t covered in chocolate and are actually quite good for you for when you fancy a change.
So, if you are eager to balance out all those sweet treats with some healthy Christmas snacks, here are some great tips and ideas for the whole family.
Healthy Christmas Snacks for Kids
Most kids have a sweet tooth and will happily fill up on chocolates and biscuits all day long. However, they will be much more willing to try healthy snacks that are fun and even a little bit silly. These snack ideas are quick and simple to make, inexpensive and are perfect for Christmas parties and festive occasions.
Fruit Snack Ideas
Using fruit to make a healthy Christmas snack is both easy and great fun to do. Admittedly, most fruit is still sugary and sweet, but they are also packed with more nutrients when compared to chocolate, for example. Dipping fruits like apples and bananas in orange or lemon juice will stop them browning and make them last longer which is a useful tip when arranging a buffet, for example. So let your creative juices flow and try out some of these festive fruity ideas:
1. Banana snowmen
Skewer some thick banana slices together for the body, use some strawberry and grape pieces for the hat, some raisins for the buttons and a piece of carrot for the nose. Done!
2. Santa skewers
Create your own edible Santa by using banana for the head, strawberry for Santa’s red hat, marshmallow for the white trimming, a chocolate button for the nose and raisins for the eyes.
3. Grinch fruit kebabs
The Grinch may have loathed Christmas but we love it, so we’re using the fictional character as inspiration for these fruity kebabs! Use a green grape for a Grinch head, strawberry for the hat and marshmallow or banana slices for the trimming. This recipe is a guaranteed winner with the kids!
4. Fruit Christmas tree
Use any combination of fruit that you like and pile them high in the shape of a Christmas tree. You can even use small grapes or pomegranate seeds for decorations and cut melon into the shape of a star for the top of the tree.
Vegetable Snack Ideas
This is another great way of introducing more vegetables into a child’s diet in the most fun way possible. These festive ideas are colourful, delicious and make the perfect healthy Christmas snacks for the whole family!
Celery reindeer
This snack would make anyone’s mouth water! Fill a celery stalk with peanut butter or soft cheese, use broken pretzels for the horns, a raspberry or grape for the nose and then pin on some googly eyes made from anything you like.
Vegetable Christmas tree
Broccoli florets are ideal for shaping into a Christmas tree and for that iconic green colour. Add bright tomatoes for decorations and criss-crossed carrot sticks for the star. You can even cut up carrots or cauliflower so they resemble presents under the tree.
Fun Sandwich Ideas
Sandwiches make a delicious lunch or snack any time of the year and they really come into their own at Christmas when you’re pushed for time. Using a cookie cutter can transform the humble sandwich into a Christmas treat for the kids when filled with their favourite healthy foods.
Star sandwiches
Use a star or Christmas tree cookie cutter to shape your sandwich, then add your favourite healthy filling such as, tuna, cucumber, chives or anything else you fancy!
Reindeer sandwiches
Shape bread into the head of a reindeer, add your healthy filling then angle the crusts to look like antlers. When you tuck into these you can almost hear those sleigh bells ringing!
Healthy Christmas Snacks for Adults
Let’s look at some sweet and savoury healthy Christmas snacks to keep the hunger pangs at bay. Adults will find these ideas delicious – and chances are the kids will too!
Spiced apple crisps
These are a great alternative to regular crisps and are incredibly simple to make. Take some sliced Granny Smiths apples, dust with cinnamon, bake in the oven and voila!
Grilled aubergine flats
Cut an aubergine into slices, brush with oil, season with salt and pepper and griddle on each side before adding your favourite healthy topping like hummus or tomato and basil. Easy.
Rosemary, garlic & chilli popcorn
Settle down for a Christmas movie with a quick, easy and delicious snack (that’s also vegan and gluten-free!). Fry garlic, chilli and rosemary in a little rapeseed oil. Scoop out the garlic in the infused oil before tossing in your popcorn.
Dried fruit nuggets
These healthy fruit bites provide a real energy boost. Whizz up some cherries, dates, apricots or any dried fruit of choice in a food processor then use coconut oil to shape into balls before rolling in sesame seeds.
Need a Healthy Boost at Christmas? Try V8 Vegetable Juice
Make sure you get your share of vitamins and minerals this festive season with delicious and nutritious V8 Vegetable Juice. Pick up a carton of V8 Vegetable Juice from supermarkets across the UK.
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