My kids are big snackers, and they probably get it from me! I often skip dinner entirely (not good, I know), and then spend the rest of the evening snacking—a bowl of cereal, some grapes, toast, or maybe if I’m feeling ambitious, a sliced cucumber with some feta cheese, drizzled with Olea True.
I encourage my kids to sit down to three meals a day and keep snacking to a minimum, but this is often not realistic. My mom’s most popular post ever is this one, which provides “recipes” for ten super simple, truly healthful snacks for kids. I know this list has been a game-changer for many of us, but what about those times when we don’t even have time to slice a carrot, let alone make kale chips?
For modern parents, there are simply a lot of instances when we need packaged snacks–whether it’s for handing out in the car or stroller or throwing in a lunch box.
Below you’ll find a round-up of my favorite, totally guilt-free, healthiest packaged snack foods. There’s something here for every taste—sweet, savory, crunchy, soft, etc. These snacks are made from whole foods or are minimally processed; they’re low in sugar, or contain less sugar than the alternatives; the ingredients are simple, nutritious and high quality; and there are no weird additives in any of these items.
These healthy snacks aren’t just Okay Stuff, in my opinion–they are truly the Good Stuff, making me feel great if my kids eat any of them as part of a meal!
What about meat sticks and jerky?
Jerky and meat sticks are a popular, portable snack. There are definitely some appealing versions out there, made from organic and/or grass-feed meats. But—here’s the big but—I don’t recommend this category as a snack because the regular consumption of processed meats, even the organic/natural/nitrate-free/uncured ones, is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. My kids eat a lot of turkey bacon, so they don’t need another source of processed meat in their diet!
Please share below which packaged snacks are your go-tos for kids!
Stay sane,
P.S.: If you’re looking for one place to buy all these snacks, you should consider Thrive Market. It’s a Costco meets Whole Foods meets Amazon model, with hard-to-find healthful foods delivered, for free, at steeply discounted prices.
P.P.S.: As a littler kid, Wolfie wasn’t a huge carrot eater, unless I bought the baby ones in little individual bags. It just goes to show you how much my kids have always loved any and all packaged foods!
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Tags:Grocery Guides,
packaged food,
picky kids,
school-aged kids
