Name: Cherry Trail Mix
Ingredients: 1/4 cup low fat granola cereal (60 ml, w/o dried fruit); 1/4 cup whole wheat cereal (60 mL); 1/4 cup mini whole- wheat pretzel knots (60 mL); 1/4 cup whole dried tart cherries (60 mL); 2 tablespoons almond slivers (toasted 30 mL); 1 tablespoon cashews (chopped 15 mL or pecans)

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Back To School Tips For Packing Healthy Snacks

(NC) – It’s time to head back to school and pull out the lunch boxes. Packing a lunch can often seem like a chore – especially when it comes to making healthy choices kids will actually enjoy. Treats like tart cherries can add an instant punch of flavour and are a healthier option to vending machine sweets. They are also packed full of health benefits and a source of antioxidants. Try these tips for creating quick, yummy lunches without the hassle:

Get involved. Bring the whole family together to create lunches. Not only does it allow kids to choose what they want for lunch, but increases the likelihood of them eating their own creations.
Don’t be square. Buy cookie cutters to make fun shapes like hearts and dinosaurs out of sandwiches – half the fun will be eating it.

Sugar Rush. Most snack items are loaded with artificial ingredients and sugar, giving kids a quick spurt of energy followed by a slump. Dried fruits, like tart cherries, are a great option for indulging the sweet tooth and contain natural sugars.

Go for a dip. Dipping and dunking are great ways to help make lunches more exciting. Try pairing veggies and fruit with low- fat dressings for a healthy snack.

Store- y time. Pick up items that are easy to store in your pantry. Dried tart cherries have a long shelf life and are easy to add into nut mixtures (like our Cherry Trail Mix) or homemade granola bars for a sweet and sour flavour.