9 Healthy Kid Friendly Snacks
Kids love snacks.
Especially in our western culture where they make "kid" snacks. Goldfish, cakes, chips, and even sugary "kid" drinks.
When I became a mom, I naturally assumed these snacks would be safe. But after time, I realized they were laced with tons of sugars, dyes, artificial ingredients, and things that had no business being called a kid snack.
After my son was diagnosed with PANS, sugar and seed oils had to go.
Yet, I was still left with a 4-year-old that wants snacks like his peers. So, I had to be crafty.
I've found some snacks that he loves and that is pretty healthy. Even my really easy granola bars!
A question I get a ton in my DM's on Instagram is, what do I feed my kids? I've shared many times about skipping packaged snacks to save money, so I figured I would put together an in-depth list.
Some of the snacks may require a little prep on your end, but its so worth it. Something else, to consider, if your little one is constantly demading snacks, look at what they are eating during meal times.
If I don't ensure they eat most of the meals I make, they default into constant snack mode. To avoid this, I always try to incorporate protein + carb + healthy fats.
Let's jump into this snack list!
1. First up, fruits.
My son doesn't eat vegetables much, but fruit he will eat all day.
Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and rasberries are packed in vitamins and more.
But, my children eat up one pack within walking in the door from the store. Honestly, I can put back the berries too.
So after berries have been demolished what then?
I like to keep fruit like apples, oranges, bananas, mangoes, grapes on hand.
To make things last longer on the snack front, I make sure the fruit that will go bad first, gets eaten first.
Then we move to the apples, organges, canned fruit, etc.
So fruit is our first go-to snack.
2. Boiled Eggs
Great portein source and can be made in bulk.
Now, the price of eggs have soared in 2023, so maybe eggs might not be the most budget-friendly snack, but they will be healthy.
3. Cheese
Cheese can be an easy and relatively healthy snack.
It's typically the go-to days leading up to grocery trial day.
4. Nuts + Seeds
Cashews are a big hit here.
Pumpkin seeds, almonds, and many more are great for snacking.
5. Sourdough Bread + Crackers
Sourdough can be pretty healthy compared to other breads and its pretty easy to make.
These sourdough crackers sorta taste like cheez-its and are so easy to make!
6. Yogurt
Yogurt can be a really easy snack, I encourage to check out the sugars.
Greek yogurt is delicious. Make it a sweet snack by sprinkling a few chocolate chips!
7. Popcorn
This one is very cheap and can be healthy.
8. Peanut butter
Another decent protein source and can be eaten with a wide variety of snacks.
Apples, celery, bread, and bananas are a few.
They do make sugar free peanut butter.
9. Easy homemade granola bars
These are so easy and we all love them.
You can chia seeds, nuts, or something else to make them a little different or just follow this recipe.
No baking required either!
What you'll need:
1 cup of peanut butter
2/3 cups of maple syrup or honey
1 tsp of vanilla extract and salt
2 1/2 cups of rolled oats or quick oats
1/2 cup or so of chocolate chips
Directions:
In a large bowl mix together maple syrup and peanut butter.
Add in salt and vanilla
Begin folding in oats and then chocolate chips
On a sheet pan or baking dish, pour mixture out and press down flat.
Place in the fridge to harden, slice into squares, store in the fridge when not enjoying.
So easy and delicious.
Check out this video to see how to make these bars.
9 easy snacks for your kids.
Of course veggies like cucumbers, carrots, etc. Are all wonderful too!
As for "sweet" snacks like cakes and such. Find some recipes to make at home. I make muffins, pastries, and more at home.
This eliminates extra junk and less sugar!