Fall into autumn with these delicious snacks you can easily pair with your favorite activities.

Autumn is just around the corner, and if you are looking for some new fall themed snacks, The Tooth Doc has some recommendations for healthy, tooth-friendly snacks the whole family can enjoy alongside fun activities.

Take trail mix on a nature walk.

Create some new memories with your children and take a walk on one of Omaha’s nature trails. Check out Fontenelle Forest, which includes an ADA-accessible boardwalk for a great one-mile hike for everyone, or Mount Vernon Gardens, which was built as a memorial to George Washington and features beautiful rose beds and a gorgeous view of the Missouri River. No matter where you choose to hike in Omaha, you’ll find beautiful views and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities wherever you go!

Since you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, be sure to bring a snack to help keep you fueled! Trail mix is a great, customizable snack you can include to satisfy everyone’s tastes. Choose your favorite high-protein nuts, like peanuts, walnuts, or cashews, and add in some dried fruit. You can also add in grain-based cereals or chocolate chips for those who have a sweet tooth.

Turn hand-picked apples into homemade applesauce.

Looking for something to do on a clear fall day? Take the family to an apple orchard and pick your own apples! The Omaha area has plenty of orchards to choose from, each offering their own unique activities, like corn mazes or petting zoos. 

The best part of an apple orchard? Tooth-friendly snacks are abundant! The Tooth Doc recommends apples because they are high in vitamins and minerals that are great for teeth and bodies, and they help stimulate saliva flow. 

After spending the day picking your own apples, get the family in the kitchen to make your very own applesauce! This recipe is a simple, classic version that only takes about 30 minutes, meaning everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labor not too long after it is made.

Pick a board game, and pair it with cheese and fruit.

Fall weather can sometimes be unpredictable, so if you are looking for an indoor activity, look no further than a classic family board game! Since board games come designed for different ages, you’ll be able to pick one the entire family can participate in.

The perfect non-messy snack to pair with a board game is a fruit-and-cheese take on a charcuterie board. This is a super easy snack that you can easily prepare within minutes. All you need to do is slice your family’s favorite cheese(s) and cut up some pieces of fruit to pair with it. The Tooth Doc loves this snack because fruit is packed full of vitamins A, B, and C, which are particularly great for gum tissue health. And the cheese is rich in calcium, which is a dentist favorite for helping to strengthen enamel. Cheese also helps balance the oral pH level and encourages healthier teeth.

Enjoy chai tea while reading a good book.

If you’re looking for a warm drink to curl up with, consider making some chai tea for the family. The best way to enjoy your tea is with a great read. Pick a family-friendly book and let everyone take turns reading a paragraph or chapter out loud. This is a great bonding activity, as well as a way for young readers to gain confidence speaking and reading out loud to a group.

Enjoy snacks in moderation.

Our team at The Tooth Doc wants to remind you that it is perfectly fine to enjoy a snack or indulge in a sweet treat every now and then, but be sure to drink water afterward to help balance the pH in your mouth so harmful bacteria doesn’t form. And remember: Brush your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes at a time as part of your daily oral health care routine!

Stop by The Tooth Doc for your biannual visit!

Don’t forget to schedule your biannual visit to The Tooth Doc! Regular preventive cleanings and evaluations are crucial for healthy teeth. We’d love to see you and your family to make sure your teeth, gums, and mouth are all in tip-top shape!