With summer skies on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about refreshing foods to enjoy on hot days. From chilled sandwich bites to frozen fruit treats, check out these tasty recipes that are both refreshing and packed with nutrients that are healthy for aging adults.

Frozen Yogurt Bark

For this healthy snack idea, you’ll need a piece of parchment paper, a cup or so of low-fat plain yogurt (Greek or regular), stevia (or another low-calorie sweetener), and a variety of your favorite fresh fruits, chopped into bite-sized pieces.

In a bowl, mix about a teaspoon of stevia in with the yogurt until well incorporated. Taste and adjust sweetness, as needed – but keep in mind that the fruit will also add sweetness. Next, lay the parchment paper on a hard, portable surface, like a plate or baking sheet, and spread the yogurt out onto the paper. Using your hands, sprinkle the fruit over the yogurt and pop the whole thing into the freezer for about three to four hours, or until the yogurt is frozen firm.

Pull it out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for about five minutes before breaking up the bark into smaller pieces with your hands – then snack away! Place any leftovers into a sealed container and store in the freezer for up to two weeks.

Cucumber Sandwich Bites

This easy snack recipe is as simple as, well, making a sandwich. This recipe calls for a fresh cucumber cut into quarter-inch slices. You only need about a quarter to half of a cucumber – be sure to wrap up and save the rest for another day. Use two slices of cucumber as the “bread” for this chilled sandwich. Between each pair, you’ll layer a bit of cheese and a small helping of deli meat.

Make as many as you please, but you should have enough slices of cucumber for about five to seven sandwich bites. No matter what ingredients you choose, whether it be turkey or ham and swiss or cheddar, the combination of crunchy, fresh cucumber with the chilled cheese and cold cuts makes for a refreshing summertime snack or meal.

Frozen Fruit Parfait

With slightly frozen fruit, sweet yogurt, and crunchy granola as the stars of the show in this yummy parfait, you’ll be reaching for this recipe all year-long – warm weather or not. Wash and dry a handful of your favorite fruit, pop it into a freezer-safe container, and stick it in the freezer for about an hour or so. We recommend halved grapes or fresh berries, but any fruit works here, so long as it’s in bite-sized pieces. Once the fruit is slightly frozen, remove from the freezer and set aside.

In a small glass bowl, layer an eighth of a cup of granola, a dollop or two of flavored yogurt, and then a sprinkle of the frozen fruit. Repeat this layering process until you reach your desired serving size. We recommend two to three layers, for a healthy portion. If the granola is too crunchy for your preference, let it sit in the fridge for about 15 to 30 minutes prior to eating to soften it, or swap out the granola for rolled oats.

Looking for more delicious and healthy snacks for seniors? Visit the Brightwater Senior Living blog or click on “Health and Fitness” under the photo for more delicious recipes.