It's my party and I can eat what I want to…or not?

Parties are a great opportunity to celebrate with food - and not the time to start handing out carrot and celery sticks. But party food can be loaded with fat and sugar and can give your kids meltdowns faster than and ice-cream on a hot stove plate. The problem is what happens when blood-sugar levels rise too high. The body responds by producing a large amount of insulin, a hormone that sweeps sugar out of the blood and into body cells. Blood-sugar levels may then drop so quickly, your child may feel moody, shaky or sluggish.

By providing healthy alternative, including savoury snacks, will make the party more enjoyable for everybody involved. Ever noticed the half eaten cakes and party packets left behind at the end of the party? And ever had a 5 year old discuss a the fluffy texture of the chocolate cake? 'Nough said Rather give your little guests the opportunity to fill their tummies with a sustainable harmless alternative snacks.

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Try this nutritious alternative to sugary frozen treats. Feel free to mix things up a bit and use some different fruit - berries are especially good.

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
62 kcal 2 g 10 g 1 g 0 g

Ingredients

1 cup plain yogurt
¾ cup frozen fruit juice concentrate, thawed, or pureed fruit
¾ cup 2% milk

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, fruit juice concentrate and milk; stir to mix well.
  2. Pour into 8 small paper cups; freeze until partially frozen. Insert a wooden stick into center of each; freeze until firm.
  3. To serve, peel away paper cups.
​
Banana Bread

Banana Bread

Millet is a cereal grain that makes a crunchy addition to this banana bread.

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
132 kcal 3 g 24 g 3 g 2 g

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat or multigrain flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup millet
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
2 ripe bananas
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, millet, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  2. In another bowl, mash bananas. Whisk in sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oiil and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture until just combined.
  3. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minute or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let coll in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on rack.
Apple Snacking Cupcakes

Apple Snacking Cupcakes

Here's the great flavor of cake in the handy shape of a muffin - a real treat for younger children.

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
178 kcal 2 g 25 g 9 g 1 g

Ingredients

½ cup butter of margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
2 unsweetened apple-sauce

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.
  2. In another bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to butter mixture, a little at a time, alternating with apple-sauce, mix well after each addition.
  3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated over for 20 minutes or until muffins are firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.
​
Pizza puff pinwheel

Pizza puff pinwheel

A light and fluffy savoury alternative. You will be asked to give this recipe away!

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
171 kcal 6 g 12 g 11 g 0 g

Ingredients

375 g pack ready rolled puff pastry, thawed if frozen
6 tbsp ready made pasta sauce (not too chunky)
10 slices wafer thin ham
½ cup mature cheddar, grated
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano

Directions

  1. Unroll the pastry onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to 40 x 32cm. Spread a layer of pasta sauce over it, leaving a 1cm border around the edges. Arrange the ham evenly on top, then scatter the grated cheese over.
  2. Starting at one of the short ends, roll the pastry up as tightly as possible. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes or so.
  3. Take a very sharp knife and cut the roll into 12 equal slices, laying them flat on 2 non-stick baking trays as you go. Brush each pinwheel lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle over the herbs. Bake for 12-15 minutes until puffed and golden. Leave to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
​
Dried fruit energy nuggets

Dried fruit energy nuggets

Giving your kids an energy a boost, but in a good way.

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
113 kcal 2 g 21 g 3 g 2 g

Ingredients

¼ cups soft dried apricots
⅓ cup soft dried dates
¼ cups dried cherries
2 tsp coconut oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame seed

Directions

  1. Whizz apricots with dates and cherries in a food processor until very finely chopped. Tip into a bowl and use your hands to work in coconut oil.
  2. Shape the mix into walnut-sized balls, then roll in sesame seeds. Store in an airtight container until you need a quick energy fix.
​
Sausage rolls

Sausage rolls

Perk up your lunchbox with these party favourites, bound to be a hit with kids

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
439 kcal 15 g 27 g 31 g 12 g

Ingredients

12 sausages
2 slices white bread, whizzed into crumbs
2 tbsp chopped sage
500g pack puff pastry
3 tbsp caramelised onions
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp sesame seeds
flour, for dusting

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Squeeze the meat from the sausages and mix with the crumbs and sage. Halve the pastry into 2 rectangular blocks. On a floured surface, roll each block lengthways only until you have 2 thin sheets, about 20 x 45-50cm.
  2. Thinly spread the onions in a strip over the pastry, leaving a 3cm border along one long-edge of each sheet. Divide the meat along the onions, shaping into a smooth roll, then brush just the border with beaten egg. Fold excess pastry over the meat and press to stick to the eggy border. Trim this edge, tuck under slightly to hold, then brush all over with egg. Scatter with seeds and slice each roll into 5.
  3. Bake on baking sheets for 35-40 mins until golden and cooked through. Once cool, freeze in bags. Defrost overnight in fridge.
​
Marshmallows dipped in chocolate

Marshmallows dipped in chocolate

Kids will love making these sweet chewy lollipops decorated with melted chocolate and cake sprinkles

Nutritional analysis (per serving)
Energy Protein Carbohydrate Fat Fiber
45 kcal 1 g 8 g 1 g 0 g

Ingredients

¼ cup white chocolate
¼ cup milk chocolate
1 cup marshmallows
1 pack lollipop sticks
selection of cake sprinkles

Directions

  1. Heat the chocolate in separate bowls over simmering water or on a low setting in the microwave. Allow to cool a little.
  2. Put your chosen sprinkles on separate plates. Push a cake pop or lolly stick into a marshmallow about half way in. Dip into the white or milk chocolate, allow the excess to drip off then dip into the sprinkles of your choice. Put into a tall glass to set. Repeat with each marshmallow.
​