Too often, snacking gets a bad reputation because of popular junk food snacks. But did you know that snacking can be good for you? It’s all about keeping it fresh, healthy, and nutritious. Read on for 5 healthy summer snack ideas to get your snack fix without compromising your dental health.
1. Pop Some Popcorn!
When you think of popcorn, you may think of the kind you get at a movie theater that’s served in a butter-soaked bag. But popcorn can actually be a healthy snack if you make it at home and use healthier topping options. An online search for topping ideas for popcorn quickly turns up everything from simple sea salt popcorn to pumpkin spice popcorn to chocolate-drizzled popcorn. The possibilities are almost limitless, so don’t be afraid to get creative with healthy topping options!
2. Pick Your Own Food!
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh veggies, fruit, and berries. From U-pick farms to farmers markets to your own garden, nothing beats the flavor of freshly-ripened produce that tastes like summer sunshine. Veggies, fruit, and berries are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients to support dental and whole body health. As an added bonus, crunchy fruits and veggies, in particular, such as carrots or apples, have been known to make your teeth cleaner, massage your gums, and promote better saliva flow. Or for an extra refreshing summer treat, mix your favorite fruit and berry combos with some ice in a blender to make a smoothie.
3. Farm-Fresh Dairy
If you’re looking for healthy summer snack ideas, summer is the perfect time of year to connect with farmers in nearby communities. Dairy is a wonderful source of calcium, along with other vitamins and minerals that are important for dental health. It’ll be tough to go back to store-bought after you’ve tasted the freshly-churned, wholesome goodness of homemade butter, cheese, and ice cream.
Don’t Forget to Brush Your Teeth!
Finding healthy summer snack ideas is important to help ensure that it’s easy to reach for something healthy and good-for-you when you’re hungry, but don’t forget to brush your teeth after you snack! Food debris and plaque from even a brief snack can cause dental problems if proper dental hygiene isn’t practiced. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste after eating is an important step to help keep your smile healthy and cavity-free all summer long.
Call our Rogers dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
