Favorite Kid Snacks

I did a blog post awhile back about favorite toddler snacks and now that I am officially no longer the mama of a toddler I thought I would share a few of our favorite snacks.  As much as I would love to say we don't consume processed snacks; that would be a lie.  However, I do try and limit the girls to one processed snack each day which usually consists of a granola bar, crackers, graham crackers, rice cakes, etc. I will list a few of our go to processed snacks (gluten free too!) at the end of this post. 

My two biggest tips for getting your kiddos to eat a healthy snack are, first, give them a choice of a few options so they still feel empowered in their decision making.  Second, prep, prep, prep!! It is so much easier to offer a healthy snack when they are already prepared and ready to go.  I am guilty of opening the fridge and looking at an entire cucumber or block of cheese and not offering it to my kids since I would have to take the time in that moment to cut it up. When you have choices prepped and ready to go, I promise it will be a whole lot easier on everyone. 

Here is my list of whole food snacks that are prepped and ready to go eat in the fridge/pantry:

1. Cucumber Sticks

2. Sliced Peppers and Carrot

3. Homemade Popcorn (we love our Whirly Pop popper)

4. Cheese (sliced from a block of local cheddar)

5. Berries (washed and ready to snack on)

6. Melon Cubes (when in season)

7. Yogurt and Homemade Granola (see recipe on blog) 

8. Hummus (with veggies). There are so many great homemade recipes!

9. Nut mix (I purchase nuts in bulk at our local grocery store and make my own mix) I use raw almonds, raw cashews, unsalted pistachios, and lightly salted peanuts.  You can add whatever you'd like but be conscious of sugar and salt consumption.  You can also create a trail mix "bar" and kids can make their own mixes. 

10. Bananas or Apples with Peanut Butter 

A few of our favorite GLUTEN FREE grab and go snacks are:

1. Made Good Granola Bars and Bites- these are completely allergen friendly 

2. HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs (so good!)

3. Roasted Chickpeas 

4. Pretzel Sticks (Quinn)

5. Dried Fruit (be careful of sugar intake!) My kids favorites are raisins, craisins, mango,  apricots, and goji berries