Summer is the prime time for the family to gather and create long-lasting memories. Whether you are hitting the hiking trails, building sand castles, soaking in the sun, diving under the oceanic waves, or picnicking in the park, spending quality time with family is priceless. You need to keep everyone energized throughout the day, especially your little kiddos, to enjoy the whole adventure fully. However, do not let the hunger pangs strike amidst all the excitement. And that’s why this blog underscores the importance of nutrition and provides tips on preparing healthy snacks that are perfect for outdoor activities.
Benefits of Outdoor Activities for Families
Engaging in outdoor activities offers many benefits, for example:
Physical Health
The more your kid spends outdoors, the more they are encouraged to move around. Kids engaging in activities like jumping, running, hiking, biking, swimming, and any type of sports can have a better chance to improve not only their cardiovascular health but also their overall strength. They also might develop a more advanced motor skill set, including agility, balance, and coordination because kids tend to carry out maneuvers on their muscles and bones.
Besides, exposure to sunlight allows kids to absorb vitamin D, which plays a role in facilitating the absorption and utilization of Calcium more efficiently. As a result of sufficient vitamin D and Calcium, their growing bodies become stronger, denser, and more resistant to external stresses, which is beneficial for optimal growth and development.
Mental Well-being
Immersing in the sights and sounds of nature has a calming effect on mood. It is believed that nature can help alleviate anxiety and stress by reducing the production of stress hormones and promoting relaxation.
Bonding and Social Skills
Playing outdoors also creates more opportunities for children to interact with their peers during activities that require teamwork. They can share, cooperate, solve problems, deal with conflicts, and express their identities. These social interactions will enhance their interpersonal skills in the long run, allowing them to build healthy relationships.
Outdoor activities offer a break for not only children but also adults within the family from excessive periods of sticking to the screen and digital media. Together with the children involved in physical activities, parents can foster a strong bond between each member.
Self-confidence
When children successfully overcome physical challenges like climbing a rock wall, they will gain a sense of accomplishment. This gives them the courage to take on further challenges and build self-confidence.
Appreciation for the Environment
Spending time outdoors helps nurture your children’s connection with nature. Simply speaking, they become more aware of their behaviors by acting responsibly and sustainably to the environment from early childhood.
Cognitive Development
Unlike structured activities indoors, outdoor play creates a space for kids to explore and experiment. As they encounter an unprecedented challenge, they are encouraged to leverage creativity and think on their feet to overcome it. As a result, children can develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which will tremendously support them in various aspects throughout their lives.
Power Up for Park Play and Picnics
One of the most typical outdoor activities for a family is a picnic and park playing. However, keeping your little kids energized throughout the day can be challenging. Thus, preparing snacks that are not only tasty but also nutritious is quintessential. The primary requirement for a picnic dish is that it should be simple to make in advance knowing that it remains intact and ready to eat. Besides, you need to prepare a few utensils to serve the snacks; otherwise, no utensils needed are even better.
Fresh and Fruity Treats
Hydration Heroes
Remember to hydrate everyone to avoid fatigue under the sweltering heat. In addition to hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables, you should encourage regular water intake. You can add some slices of cucumber, lemon, or berries to make it a refreshing twist with a hint of natural flavor.
Hitting the Trails: Fueling Up for Epic Hikes and Bike Rides
If your family is going to conquer a hiking trail or ride a bike, it is imperative to constantly keep the body fueled and energy sustained during long hours.
Energy is Key
In just 5 minutes, you can have yourself a delicious homemade energy bar that is always on the go. Try out our recommended recipe for a quick-and-easy snack. Customize your treat with peanut butter, oats, chia seeds, sweeteners, and mini chocolate chips. Then mix everything until combined.
Protein powder is optional, but protein can enhance the efficacy of your energy bar to a new level. Consider NuBest Tall Protein, which is packed with not only 10g of protein but also 1 billion CFU probiotics and more than 30 vitamins and minerals. This will help your children increase and sustain energy throughout the prolonged workouts.
Electrolyte Boost
Outdoor activities will make everyone sweat, leading to the significant loss of electrolytes, and minerals essential for the body to function properly. In other words, electrolytes like potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium help diminish muscle cramps, prevent dehydration, and regulate blood pressure as well as body temperature. Consider electrolytes-rich options like:
- Coconut Water: This is a natural source of electrolytes and hydration
- Electrolyte Drinks: Look for sports drinks with minimally added sugar and other artificial ingredients. Try to consume before, after, and during outdoor physical activities.
Post-workout Recovery
After your family’s adventure, it is time for a rest. Take advantage of this chance to replenish energy stores and support muscle repairs. A perfect recovery-friendly snack idea could be frozen yogurt bites. After combining plain Greek yogurt with toppings, such as granola or mashed fruits, store them in the refrigerator under each bite-sized serving. This protein, calcium, and carbohydrate combo helps quench everyone’s thirst and refuel them with a refreshing energy boost.
Fueling Summer Adventures: Snacks for Family Outdoor Activities
Engaging in physical activities outdoors brings tremendous benefits for not only the children but also everyone involved. During summertime, packing nutritious snacks along the adventures will offer sufficient nutrients and energy needed by individuals to fully participate in all physical activities. Ask your family members to get involved in the preparation to make them more excited and obtain a sense of responsibility. Remember that hydration is one of the primary factors in staying energetic and avoiding exhaustion, which can be obtained from water, electrolyte beverages, and fruits. As a result of an advanced well-prepared plan, your entire family might create lasting memories with joyfulness and wellness.
