Healthy Snacking with Sargento

Even though my son is a pretty picky eater, one thing he will consume at any time, in any form is cheese  He loves it cold in chunks or shredded, or melted on pizza or toasted cheese sandwiches.  I tend to buy cheese in blocks, but it's often not so convenient to take with us when we go to a park or to a friend's house, and I feel like I'm forever cutting it and trying to get proper portions for snacking and cooking.

Sargento has released new Fridge Pack cheese that make it easy and convenient to take cheese on the go.

 They're perfectly portioned for healthy snacking, and even cooking (they are a great amount for one grilled cheese sandwich).

Plus they fit so nicely in our fridge, and are simple for kids to grab and go.  The cheese sticks come in stand-up boxes that keep the snacks easily-accessible and organized in the refrigerator.

I'd much rather have cheese sticks available for snacking than junk food, and my son really prefers cheese to other, less-healthy choices.  It's great knowing he's getting calcium and vitamins while eating something that he very much enjoys.  And I believe that if you present healthy snack options to kids and make them accessible to them on their level, they'll learn to choose healthy foods for themselves.

Here are some tips from Sargento for supporting healthy eating:

·         Refresh your snacking habits. The annual spring cleaning ritual can also pertain to your snacking habits. While you’re spring cleaning your kitchen this year, transform your snacking routine, too. Keep healthy choices front and center to make smart snacking a cinch.  Fill a bowl with fresh whole fruit and set it on the counter, keep whole grain crackers and rolls in your desk or purse, and place a Sargento Fridge Pack in an easy-to-reach place in your fridge.   

·         Pack portable snacks. When the clock strikes 3:00 p.m., we know you’re looking for a snack to tide you over. Take food with you to munch on when you’re at work or on the road to prevent unexpected trips to the vending machine or drive through.

·         Turn over a new snacking leaf. Chips, cookies and candy can often wreak havoc on our diets. Stock up on nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, eggs and cheese to obtain that necessary boost in energy.

·         Pay attention to portions. American portion sizes continue to increase everywhere we go and, consequently, so do our waistlines. Healthy snacks should fit into your calorie budget, not be additions that you don’t account for. Aim for 100 to 200 calories per snack, and count snack calories as part of your daily energy allowance to avoid this common mistake.

·         Protein + fiber = The best snacks. We know it can be a challenge to find satisfying snacks that are both nutritious and pack a punch of flavor.  Try pairing foods with protein, such as eggs, cheese and nuts, with fiber-filled fare, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Foods rich in protein and fiber help you to feel fuller for longer, and they pack other vital nutrients to support good health.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Sargento and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.