Kids snacks.
If you are a parent, you are probably cringing at the thought of this. There are endless requests for snacks from the kiddos – when they are at home, in the car, at school – the requests for snacks never end.
People who know my family, know we try to keep it clean and healthy at least 90% of the time. I often get asked about snacks in general but specifically kid friendly snacks that are “clean”.
Unhealthy snacks are easy to come by. This goes without saying. There are an endless array of snack size options in the grocery store. Most commercial snack bars, cookie packs, bread based snacks are made of highly processed sugars, starches, corn oil, and other highly modified ingredients. Steer clear whenever possible. These snacks create sugar highs and lows. They can trigger erratic behavior and false hunger signaling and are highly correlated with childhood obesity.
My go-to snack options for anyone, adult or child, is always a whole food when available. A piece of fruit, crunchy veggies, hummus, cheese, unsweetened yogurt, a handful of raw organic nuts and seeds etc. However, I know that these are not the most travel friendly. The are also not always the most desired. If I am being truthful, I feel we are conditioned by society to want snacks that are packaged, that we can unwrap and eat; something that has a more interesting taste. So what do I recommend in terms of healthy snacks that fit the bill, when whole foods are not suitable?
Below I will list some options for convenient snacks that are much better than the more typical stuff that’s heavily represented and marketed in your standard grocery aisles. Consider trying to stock some of these in your home, in your backpack and show the kids that healthy snacks can be tasty!
- Lara Bars. These are date and nut based. Skip the ones with chocolate as an ingredient as the source and type of chocolate is unclear. We love the peanut butter, cashew and apple flavors. Amazon probably has the best deal on these.
- Meat Sticks. Ideally grass fed or at least nitrite and preservative free, and unflavoured. We love Chomps and so do the kids.
- Moon Cheese. A perfect alternative for that crunchy need, the feel you get from a packet of cheese type chips. They are essentially dried cheese, also very high in protein. We love the cheddar and gouda flavors.
- Dried Mango. Unsweetened is the only option I recommend. One ingredient. Costco sells a bag of this, organic as well that can last a while. It’s chewy and delicious. Beware to check the label as many dried fruits have other ingredients like oils or sugar. Leave these.
- Freeze dried fruits. Apple chips fall into this category and help with crunchy cravings. My younger two kids love freeze dried strawberries and bananas. Again the only ingredient in the package should be the fruit.
- That’sIt fruit bar snacks. Just the fruit combined into a small bar type square. Fits into any pocket.
- Nakd Bars. Available at almost any grocer these days and online. A different fruit and nut bar in case Lara Bars flavors were not for you. Also slightly smaller size that kids more easily finish.
- Homemade trail mix. We love these reusable stasher snack bags. Fill up a few over the weekend. With your favorite combo of nuts, seeds, red fruit and even some dark chocolate chips. I love pistachios, raw cashews, goji berries, dark chips and raw pumpkin seeds. Check out this site for bulk organic nuts and seeds.
I have a much longer list that I can share when you’ve given these a try. Also check out some of my other blogs on healthy recipes and treats when you feel like baking something that’s not going to spike your blood sugar in a disastrous way.
By Dr. Michelle