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Hungry? Thirsty?
How About Healthy?

The Big Dipper, Apple Sauce Splits, Fruity Parfaits, Kaleidoscope Pops and Apple-Licious Smoothies

(Family Features) - The call goes out many times a day. Kids always seem to be hungry, and they're always asking for a snack. But, high- energy kids need healthy snacks that keep them up and at 'em - all day long.

Easier said than done, you say? It doesn't have to be!

Take apples, apple sauce and apple juice, for example. We've all heard the age-old saying that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." But, research collected by Mott's is now helping define exactly why apple products are so healthy. As it turns out, apples and apple products have multiple nutrients: fiber, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants. Consuming these nutrients can work toward achieving whole body health. What's more, 1/2 cup of apple sauce or 6 ounces of 100% apple juice count as fruit servings, which makes 5 A Day a much easier goal for kids.

Another piece of good news is that the fiber and water in apples and apple products help give a feeling of satiety or fullness. With childhood obesity a growing concern, helping to curb children's appetites can help them avoid eating more calories than their bodies need to stay healthy. So the next time your kids call out that they are hungry or thirsty - give them an apple healthy snack that not only tastes great, but is good for them too!

When kids can mix up their own snacks, it's double the fun. Let them try these easy ideas:

Freeze individual-size Mott's Original or Healthy Harvest apple sauce cups. Use the frozen cups to help keep lunch boxes cold, then they can be eaten just like an ice cream cup.
Fill ice cube trays with apple juice instead of water, giving a cool apple twist to favorite drinks.
Mix about 1 tablespoon each peanuts, toasted coconut and raisins into 1/2 cup Mott's Original apple sauce for a trail mix-flavored treat.
Mix equal parts (about 1-1/2 cups each) low-fat fruit- flavored yogurt with Mott's Original apple sauce. Use to fill a prepared graham cracker pie crust. Freeze and serve like ice cream pie.
Blend about 1 cup fruit-flavored frozen yogurt, 1/2 cup apple juice and 1/2 cup fresh fruit in a blender for a fruity smoothie.

For more apple information and recipe ideas, visit www.getapplehealthy.com.

The Big Dipper

1/2 cup Mott's Healthy Harvest country berry apple sauce
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla or plain yogurt
2 cups fresh fruit chunks
8 bamboo skewers

To prepare dip, blend apple sauce with yogurt in small bowl until thoroughly combined. Divide fruit chunks evenly and place on skewers to form fruit kabobs. Place kabobs on serving plate with dip alongside. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Makes 8 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving: 35 calories, 0g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 1g protein

Apple Sauce Splits

1 medium banana, peeled and split lengthwise
2 tablespoons low-fat whipped cream cheese
1/4 cup berries or diced fresh fruit
1/4 cup Mott's chunky style apple sauce
Chocolate syrup, optional

Place split banana in shallow bowl or plate. Dollop with cream cheese. Sprinkle berries or fruit over cream cheese. Top with apple sauce. Drizzle with chocolate syrup, if desired.

Makes 1 serving

Nutrition Information per Serving: 210 calories, 4g fat, 10mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, 4g protein

Fruity Parfaits

2 cups low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 cups diced fresh fruit
2 cups Mott's natural apple sauce

Divide 1 cup yogurt evenly between 6 parfait glasses. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons graham cracker crumbs over yogurt in each glass. Divide 1 cup diced fruit evenly between glasses, layering evenly over crumbs. Divide 1 cup apple sauce evenly between glasses, layering evenly over fruit. Repeat layers. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving: 200 calories, 2g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 5g protein

Kaleidoscope Pops

2 cups diced colorful fruit
2 cups Mott's apple juice
6 (6- to 8-ounce) paper cups
6 craft sticks

Divide diced fruit between cups. Fill evenly with apple juice (1/3 cup each). Place cups on level surface in freezer. Freeze until partially frozen, approximately 1 hour. Insert craft stick into center of each pop. Freeze until firm.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving: 60 calories, 0g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 1g protein

Apple-Licious Smoothies

4 (1/2 cup) containers Mott's Healthy Harvest summer strawberry apple sauce
2 cups Mott's apple juice
2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt

In small pitcher, combine all ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving: 140 calories, 1g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate, <1g fiber, 4g protein

Tip: Kids can make individual smoothies themselves. Use 1 container apple sauce, then use the container to measure the apple juice and yogurt. Stir together right in the glass!

SOURCE: Mott's Apple Sauce and Juice