Eating Nostalgic: Skinny Versions Of Your Favorite Childhood Snacks

[caption id="attachment_835533" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Woman deciding to eat healthily or not on white background[/caption] When you think about your favorite memories from your childhood, like hanging around the community pool (or your pool, if you were lucky), visiting the county fair, meeting your friends at the park, going to amusement parks, and playing in the sand, one item probably consistently pops into your mind: the snack you had. Taste and smell are such powerful senses that can leave life-long memories. One little whiff of a funnel cake can take you back to your childhood, and help you see every detail of one special day as if it’s all happening again. It would be nice to walk down memory lane through our favorite childhood snacks all of the time, but unfortunately, our childhood snacks don’t really agree with our adult bodies. Here are some skinny versions of your favorite kid snacks so you can go back in time, but not back in your fitness goals. [caption id="attachment_702808" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Cheese and crackers

Remember how you’d tear open a package of Ritz crackers with that gooey yellow cheese and the convenient spreading stick? Well those crackers are loaded with butter and that cheese is loaded with…who even knows! Grab some multigrain crackers (Kellogg’s Special K Multi-grain are very high in fiber) and pair them with slices of Swiss or spoonfuls of goat cheese. You’ll get more protein and fiber, with fewer calories.         [caption id="attachment_707615" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Carrots and ranch

When you were a child, you probably dipped everything in ranch but ranch isn’t very waistline-friendly and has little to no nutrients. Instead, try making Greek yogurt ranch dip. It’s quite simple according to this recipe and gives you healthy calcium and protein.               [caption id="attachment_713756" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Alphabet soup

Aah there was nothing like some alphabet soup on a cold afternoon when you couldn’t quite wait for dinner. Of course, the variety you used to eat packed as many chemicals and as much sodium as possible into what could be a simple dish. So why not add brown rice-based alphabet pasta to some miso soup? You’ll get a nice serving of fiber, with a broth that aids digestion.         [caption id="attachment_717587" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Homemade fruit roll ups

You used to tell your mom that you got a serving of fruit in your fruit roll up. She smiled and nodded, but knew you were eating chemicals. Try this recipe for healthy, homemade fruit roll ups. All you need is fresh fruit, lemon juice and your favorite sweetener like agave or honey. You’ll actually get several servings of fruit in this.           [caption id="attachment_830645" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Tasty pizza with cheese and pepperoni slices, closeup[/caption]

Lunchables

Some children had lunchables every day on the playground. We can only pray for their cholesterol levels now. If you buy a little Tupperware with compartments, you can make your own, healthy lunchables. Purchase whole wheat flatbreads and cut them into little circles. Grab a handful of low-fat, shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix pure tomato sauce with a little olive oil, dried basil and oregano, salt and pepper. Pick up tofu pepperoni mounds and you have yourself the pizza Lunchables.           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhQKxkiNiko  

Uncrustables

Uncrustables took what was already amazing—the classic PB&J sandwich—and made it even better by turning it into small, hand-held versions. Of course they were made with Wonderbread that sticks to your colon for weeks and jelly that was more chemical than fruit. Make your own with multi-grain bread, enriched with flax seeds, unsweetened almond butter and fruit compote. This video will show you how to make them into little pocket-sized, neatly enclosed sandwiches. [caption id="attachment_835534" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Homemade Pepperoni Mini Pizza Bagels with Basil[/caption]

Pizza bagels

Pizza bagels were always a hit at birthday parties and sleepovers. But the originals use high-sodium sauce, not the best cheese, and all white bagels. Purchase mini wholegrain bagels, make your own tomato sauce (using the recipe from the pizza lunchables slide) and pick up some goat cheese. Your adult, refined palate will love this spin on the classic snack.           [caption id="attachment_835535" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Raw avocado chocolate mousse pudding with mint in olive wooden bowl. Vegan vegetarian food. Organic healthy dessert. Close up[/caption]

Pudding cups

A pudding cup could suppress nearly any tantrum when you were a kid. But did it ever seem odd to you that pudding cups could survive sitting in the hot sun? That’s due to all the chemicals. Let us introduce you to chocolate avocado pudding. It uses a full ripe avocado, giving you plenty of fiber and healthy fats, as well as crushed almonds and coconut, which offer their own nutrients.             [caption id="attachment_607565" align="alignleft" width="500"] Credit: Shutterstock[/caption]

Chocolate chip cookies

Did you know chocolate chip cookies can be full of healthy fats and protein? Well they can be if you try this. Mix a full cup of unsweetened almond butter with one egg, a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of vanilla, half a cup of maple syrup, one egg and a third of a cup of your favorite dark chocolate chips. Turn them into little cookie mounds and bake them for 10 minutes at 425 degrees. They’ll be gooey, fluffy and delicious. And they have no flour.           [caption id="attachment_835536" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Caramel and chocolate rice crispie cakes popular childrens treat[/caption]

Rice Krispies Treats

If you use gluten-free brown rice crispies cereal rather than the original stuff, you’ll make a treat that is easy on those with gluten sensitivity, and boasts a little fiber. Swap in brown rice syrup, coconut oil and peanut butter for the sticky factor like this recipe does and you can skip the highly processed marshmallows.             [caption id="attachment_701535" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Hot dogs

There are few images happier than a little kid holding a hot dog at a sport game or carnival. But we all know enough about traditional hot dogs now to know they wreak havoc on our cholesterol and intestines. Vegetarian hot dogs are quite evolved today—they aren’t the processed, artificial links they used to be. If you invest some time in your local health food store, you can find ones made entirely from natural ingredients like seitan that taste just like the real thing.         [caption id="attachment_835537" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Soup Ramen noodles in ceramic bowl and bamboo sticks horizontal[/caption]

Top Ramen

Remember the way you’d salivate when the smell of microwaved top ramen filled your kitchen? You can feel that way again, without all of that sodium. Mix your favorite miso soup with fresh brown rice noodles, chives, and chopped up fresh ham for a much healthier version of this childhood comfort snack.             [caption id="attachment_716185" align="alignleft" width="440"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Hostess cupcakes

Did you ever think Hostess cupcakes could be healthy? Well, this recipe manages to sneak vegetables into the sweet treat, as well as protein powder. You’ll even find protein in the vanilla icing               [caption id="attachment_835539" align="alignleft" width="465"] Bigstockphoto.com/Biscuits for childrens animal shape white plate isolated on white background[/caption]

Dunkaroos

If a kangaroo were involved, you better believe you wanted that snack when you were a kid. You can still enjoy dunking animal-shaped cookies into a creamy concoction. Pick up whole grain animal crackers and make a dip with sweetened vanilla yogurt, chopped up fruit and sprinkles.               [caption id="attachment_835540" align="alignleft" width="424"] Bigstockphoto.com/Strudel with cheese and pear. Snack cake strudel. Rural rustic style.[/caption]

Toaster Strudel

Toaster strudels could actually get you out of bed in the morning, and make you a little less cranky as a child. This unique and simple recipe transforms the sugar-loaded treat into a protein-heavy, fiber-full breakfast without sacrificing any of the flavor.  

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