Now that school is back in session, let’s chat about healthy back to school snack options. Since this is a health, wellness, and lifestyle blog, you can imagine that this post will be all things surrounding healthy snacks for your little ones. Trust me, nothing makes me more at ease knowing what my kids are eating.
Choosing the right snacks to send your kids to school with can be hard because there are so many buzzwords out there marketing products as “clean,” “organic,” “all-natural.”
Let’s take RX Bars for Example:
Here’s the list of ingredients advertised on the front of the package.
- 3 egg whites
- 14 peanuts
- 2 dates
- No B.S
Turn the bar package around and read the actual ingredients. It states the following:
Eggs, dates, peanuts, salt, and “natural flavor.” They conveniently left that off the label on the front. Natural flavors can be literally anything when it comes to food. Any company can throw the word “natural” on their products. Sadly, it is unregulated here in the U.S. and can contain hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, genetically modified ingredients, and more…Do you want your kids eating that? Do you even want to consume that?
Here are just a few buzzwords you’ll see on some packages:
- Natural flavors
- All Natural
- Non-GMO
- USDA Organic
- Certified Gluten-Free, etc…
While all these labels are amazing to have, it does NOT mean that the actual product contains clean ingredients. Read the full ingredients on packaged foods so you know what you’re really sending your little ones off to school with. (Source)
Store Bought Healthy Snack Options
- Bear Yo Yo Fruit Bars: I Love this brand because it contains 3 simple ingredients.
- Ingredients are: Apples, Pears, Spirulina
- Simple Mills Crackers: You can see these are a much more healthier cracker option for you kiddos. My boys love these and they come in different flavors. We mainly buy the sea salt flavor though.
- Ingredients are: Nut and Seed Flour Blend (Almond Flour, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds), Tapioca Starch, Cassava Flour, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Onion, Organic Garlic, Rosemary Extract (for freshness)
- Lundenberg Rice Crackers: I like to give add nutrients and flavor whenever I make the kids rice crackers. You can add fun and flavor by adding a mixture of nut butters, chocolate chips, fruit, honey, etc…The possibilities are endless. I’ve even made a PB and fruit sandwich with hemp seeds and the boys loved it. Plus, it makes it easier to transfer.
- Ingredients are: Organic Brown Rice, Organic Red Rice, Organic Quinoa
- Plantain Chips: Plantains come from the banana family and usually eaten when cooked because it’s more starchy raw. They also contain a ton of vitamins such a Vitamins A, C, and B-6, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium. They are also a great source of fiber. The ones I buy are in the bulk section at Whole Foods and they are so addicting.
- Ingredients are: plantains, salt and pepper
- Siete chips: Paleo friendly, gluten free and of-so-tasty. They come in a ton of different flavors as well. but to keep it simple, here are the ingredients for the salt flavored.
- Ingredients are: Cassava flour, avocado oil, coconut flour, ground chia seeds, sea salt.
- Culina Yogurt: You know I love this yogurt. Made with real ingredients like coconut milk, maple syrup, and probiotics. Hands down, the best yogurt EVER.
- Go Raw Chocolate Granola: When I am not making my own granola, I opt for something clean and healthy. These Go Raw chocolate granola is so good and paleo, gluten free, and nut free.
- Ingredients are: Sprouted buckwheat groats*, sprouted sunflower seeds*, dates*, sprouted sesame seeds*, coconut (unsulphured)*, hemp seeds*, cacao*, vanilla extract*, celtic sea salt
- Thrive Market Paleo Snacks (Savory Flavor): A delicious way to switch up eating nuts. Take them on the go and enjoy.
- Ingredients are: Banana Chips (Bananas, Coconut Oil), Cashews, Pecans, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Aminos (Coconut Nectar, Organic Coconut Sap, Sea Salt), Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.
- Natierra Nature and Earth Organic Freeze-Dried Fruit: I buy these all the time to keep in my purse for doctor appointments, travel, movie theaters, etc… so good.
- Ingredients are: Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries.
- Once Upon A Farm Smoothie Pouches: Made with real pure organic ingredients and so good for everyone all ages (I tried a few here and there). I love to buy the this brand as a backup if I ever need something on the go for them. You can freeze them and take out when you need it later in the day.
- Ingredients are: Organic strawberries, organic apple, purified water, organic blueberry, organic pumpkin seeds, organic date, organic coconut milk, organic sweet potato, and organic cold-pressed lemon juice.
Thrive Market: Get an extra 25% OFF your first order + a 30 day free trial membership when you sign up at Thrive Market! (Valid on orders $49+, max $20 discount)
Homemade Healthy Snack Options
- Almond Energy bites. I love energy bites. Make a huge batch of them and store it in the freezer. Add one to your kiddos lunch box for a special treat that’s so clean and healthy. My boys think it’s candy LOL.
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola: Nothing makes me more satisfied than when I cook everything from scratch and l let me tell you…my pumpkin granola is a HIT. but if you don’t feel like making granola, I love the Go Raw brand.
- Smoothie: I usually make a smoothie every day for the kids to eat during breakfast or to take to school for an afternoon snack. I can put whatever I want in it as long as it’s not super sugary (not too much fruit) and contains protein, fiber, green, and healthy fat.
- Homemade Carrot Beet Applesauce: Make a big batch of this and leave in the fridge for 4 days. Send your babes to school with some healthy homemade applesauce filled with veggies in a stainless steel container. You’ll have them begging for more.
- Beet Hummus Make a big batch of this and leave in the fridge for 4 days. Send this to school with some veggies for the kids to dip into. Plus, it contains veggies which is always a good idea.
Hope you found this helpful and a great start to incorporating them into your kids school lunches. As always, tag me in any of your creations. I love to see what you guys come up with.
Other related posts:
What is Thrive Market and How Can it Save Me Money?
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.