Beach snacks for the whole family

April 17, 1:30 PMGold Coast Community ExaminerJulie Carobini

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I'm a beach mama.  Three kids, flip flops on the porch, sunblock in every drawer—you get the picture.  Living close to the California coast for so long, I’ve figured out how to put together beach worthy snacks that we all love.

With the 4th of July and other sunny days ahead, here are some ideas for easy picnics by the sea:

'Sand'wiches  often go crunch at the beach, so I’m not a fan of bringing them there.  If you must, make them thin and uncomplicated, such as a layer of peanut butter and jelly or a touch of mustard with a slice of ham. This will make them easier to handle and less apt to collect sand.

Fruit is a must for sunny days, but not the kind you have to slice, peel, pit or otherwise mess with while there.  Instead, bring melon balls, sliced apples (with lemon juice on them to keep away the brown!), grapes (cut in half if your kids are small), or strawberries.  Carry them in a plastic container with a lid, and to keep them cold, try stashing a small baggie with ice in the container.

Mini-burritos are a smash at the beach.  Smear beans on a softened tortilla, then roll up, cut in half and wrap each mini-burrito in foil and you’ve got an easy peasy beach snack. Ole!

Protein boosts are a must if you have plans to stay a long while.  While kids never seem to wind down, parents need energy boosts to keep up. Some ideas:  string cheese, peanut butter crackers, nuts or jerky. 

Doritos and I have been doing the beach since I was a teen.  Can’t imagine there’s a whole lot of nutritional value in them, but what can I say?  There my sentimental favorite so I’ve included them here.

Bite-sized beach snacks are easy to eat and can be good for you too.  Think pretzels, granola bars and trail mix (but not granola since it can be too small to eat without a mess)

Forget sugary drinks or dehydrating diet soda or 'pop'.  There is nothing like ice cold water to quench the thirst on a hot beach (unless there's no bathroom nearby, in which case that can be a bummer).

And here’s a great space saving tip: freeze a couple of water bottles before hand and use them instead of ice to keep the cooler chilled.

After enjoying lunch at a favorite beach, relax away the day and be sure to baste the family and yourself with sunblock every 1/2 hour or so. 

Hear the waves calling?