Ideas For Snack-Time!
It seems like my kids are always hungry. “Mom, can I have a snack?” is spoken in my house more often than I’d like to admit. I get bored and the kids get bored with the same ‘ol same ‘ol. So here’s a round-up of some snacks that will sure to please and keep things interesting (and are mostly healthier options).
For that sweet tooth…
I love the idea of protein shakes but the kids aren’t always big fans. Until now. Orgain Organic Protein Powder shakes are delicious and nutritious. It’s perfect for an afternoon snack or if your kids wake up late and need breakfast in the car. YUM.
Chobani greek yogurt now has yogurt tubes and pouches. They have 2x more protein and 25% less sugar compared to other yogurt. Throw the tubes in the freezer and your kids get a yummy after-school frozen treat. Love the strawberry banana!
Yogurt parfait. These feel like a treat but can be very nutritious. Use greek yogurt, a little honey, fruit and punch up the nutrition with an Organic Flax Pak from Carrington Farms. The flax seeds come in single-serving packs and are rich in essential nutrients including Omega-3s, protein, fiber and antioxidants. Delish.
We can’t keep these in our house. PopCorners are definitely a family favorite. They are light, crunchy and shaped like triangles. They have yummy savory flavors but our favorites are the Carnival Kettle and Sweetly Salted Caramel. YUM.
We love anything that Annie’s makes, but the kids can’t get enough of her Really Peely Fruit Tape. They love this in their lunches and I love that they are made with real fruit and fruit juices and have no high fructose corn syrup.
My daughter loves to sneak a sip of my iced tea so I knew she’d love Drazil Kids Tea. It’s a juice box made with all-natural fruit juice and blended with naturally caffeine-free herbal tea. 100% daily value of vitamin C + antioxidants is a bonus.
Purely Elizabeth makes individual mini bags of Original Ancient Grain Granola that is lightly sweetened and tastes of cinnamon. It’s delicious over yogurt or tasty as a snack on the go. Gluten-free, vegan, Non-GMO, no refined sugar and baked with coconut oil. It’s a win.
My kids complain that it isn’t fair because their friends get tons of junk food in their lunch (I’m not sure how truthful that is, but anyway) so I found Otis Spunkmeyer snacks. These special treats are made without artificial flavors and colors, high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils. The lemon snack cakes are to die for.
Tickle Water is a naturally flavored sparkling water for kids with flavors like Green Apple, Watermelon, and Cola. The BPA free PET plastic can is specifically designed to fit children’s smaller hands. They are free of preservatives, GMOs, gluten, sodium, sugar, calories, and artificial sweeteners, making it a great alternative to juice boxes and sodas.
Next time you (or your kids) have a hankering for one of those not so healthy fancy cold coffee drinks, don’t do it. Instead fire up your Keurig and brew a quick cup of Green Mountain Coffee Breakfast Blend Decaf Coffee. Then add a scoop of vanilla non-fat frozen yogurt or low-fat ice cream and you have a delicious low-fat coffee treat without caffeine.
When you are in the mood for salty…
Popcorn is a favorite snack and we love SkinnyPop because it’s made with a few simple ingredients that you can actually pronounce – popcorn, sunflower oil and salt. The individual bags are perfect for lunch boxes and snacks on the go (i.e., on the way to soccer practice). Better buy extra because you’ll want to take them for yourself too.
Who doesn’t love pretzels? Well, you haven’t tasted a pretzel as good as this. Stonewall Kitchen’s Seasoned Sea Salt Pretzels have the perfect crunch and a delicious flavor. And there is nothing better than pretzels dipped in this creamy peanut butter.
Ok, now these salty snacks from Good Health Snacks are ridiculously good. They have Avocado Oil and Olive Oil Kettle Style Potato Chips that will keep everyone asking for more. But the good news is they are Organic, Certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher Certified as well as made with a unique blend of veggies for added nutrients.
Speaking of chips, when you are in the mood for a more decadent chip, try Mamee Stacked Crisps. They will remind you of another brand, but these are gluten-free and GMO-free. They come in original, BBQ and Sour Cream & Onion. The BBQ can’t be beat. Trust us.
My hubby and son are huge beef jerky fans. And they adore New Zealand Jerky. I love that it’s Non-GMO Project Verified, free-range, grass-fed and made with only natural ingredients.
We’ve always loved popchips, but their new Ridges are a major must-eat. They have 72% less fat and 55% less calories than it’s competitor and comes in four delicious flavors. We love them all but the tangy barbeque can’t be beat.
How about yummy grain-free Cassava & Chia tortillas? Yep, these gluten-free, dairy free, non GMO tortillas are nutrient-dense and delicious. They’ll spice up any quesadilla or wrap. Delish.
This isn’t exactly a snack, but it makes snacks better so it qualifies! 4th & Heart ghee is similar to butter but better for your health. It is dairy, casein and lactose free. Ghee is an essential healthy fat and rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and Omega Fatty Acids among others. The California Garlic flavor is amazing on toast and makes instant garlic bread!
Revolution Foods Lunch Bundles are delicious lunch kits packed with protein, whole grains and real fruits and veggies. These are great to take with you in the car, to eat at your desk, or to put in your kids’ lunches. They have gluten-free and vegetarian kits too so everyone can enjoy.