Anyone keeping up with the latest nutrition reports knows to snack on fruits and raw vegetables, baked chips and whole-grain crackers, soups, yogurt, even leftover pizza and peanut butter sandwiches. Soft pretzels with mustard are better than deep-fried chips and dip. Turkey sandwiches on whole-wheat bread are better than hot dogs on white buns. Salsas are more nutritious and less caloric than dips of flavored sour cream. Graham crackers or animal crackers are better than high-fat cookies.
Rice cakes are better than, well, cake.
They're important as snacks to address this country's calcium deficit, too. This selection of recipes was compiled to help satisfy a sweet tooth without contributing too many calories or fat grams, except for the bean dip. It was included just because it's so quick to make and good for dipping with chips or making nachos. These s'mores do not require a campfire, and the chocolate is replaced by a combo of marshmallow creme, peanut butter and halved grapes. Kids like to assemble these just to smash the fruit.