Healthy Birthday Party Snacks

Healthy birthday party snacks may not be the most popular choice among kids but a birthday party provides the perfect gathering to introduce new snacks and recipes.

Offering a nourishing alternative to sugar-coated foods is easier than you think. Popcorn, granola bars, frozen fruit bars and homemade yogurt are just a few friendly foods to try. And let's not forget about the vitamin packed, energy boosting fresh fruit slices and raw vegetables. Not sure if you can pull this off? Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you revitalize a stale menu:

Popcorn. Served sweetened, salted or doused with seasonings, popcorn is a must for a nutritional birthday party snack that's high in fiber and sugar-free. Let your creativity flow and add a dash of food coloring to your popcorn. Blue, Pink, whatever your choice, this will add to your party theme. A great recipe includes 1 stick butter or margarine; Crumbled graham cracker cookies; 1 bag of marshmallows; combine all ingredients in bowl with air-popped popcorn and microwave on low to melt. Tasty original recipes can be accessed at the Popcorn Board.

Granola Bars. Soft and chewy granola bars are a great substitute for cookies. Healthy oats combined with dried fruits, chocolate chips or nuts and raisins are a convenient wholesome choice. And for the resourceful parent, who wants kudos for great birthday party snacks, try baking your own granola bars. The Food Network offers excellent options for healthy granola bars. Try this recipe for your birthday party snacks: 8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups, 1 ½ ounces raw sunflower seeds, approximately ½ cup, 3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup, 1 ½ ounces wheat germ, approximately ½ cup, 6 ounces honey, approximately ½ cup, 1 ¾ ounces dark brown sugar, approximately ¼ cup packed, 1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 6 ½ ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries