Healthy school snacks for kids can be challenging to come up with when you are overwhelmed by all of the other mom things. The list below includes tried and true options – my picky kids approve!
“Can I have a snack?”…how many times a day do you hear this? I was beginning to think my kids had a hollow leg, or two! I decided to take a closer look at what they were actually eating for snacks and quickly realized that most of them tend to be empty calories, nutrient deficient, and lacking protein. Protein is so important to prolong that full feeling – and to prevent the dreaded “can I have a snack” 20 minutes later.
Just think about how you feel after eating an apple for example, verses cheese and an apple. That protein is key in keeping you full. Nutrients are also just as important as protein in my opinion. As a busy mom myself, my kids do eat goldfish and plenty of those common packaged snacks but I am working towards swapping a few of those out with cleaner, nutrient-dense, filling options. Better every day right?
This post includes 7 of my favorite healthy school snacks for kids that you can easily incorporate into your family’s school week routine.
The snacks below are my daily go-to options that I pack for my boys on school days. They also eat these at home on the regular. There are a couple of packaged picks in this list but I am very selective with those and I feel that these are well-balanced and somewhat healthy. Again, this list is meant to give you SIMPLE but filling options.
We will save “snacks from scratch” for another post LOL.
Best Healthy School Snacks For Kids
1. Hummus & Veggies
One of the best healthy school snacks for kids that you can make is hummus with cucumbers or carrot sticks. My kids LOVE this and always ask for more when we have it at home. It is so creamy and satisfying. Hummus is essentially mashed up garbanzo beans so it is an excellent source of protein. In addition to protein, they are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You will want to make yourself a plate while putting these snacks together!
If you are looking for divided snack containers, these are my favorite! Super durable and BPA free. The hummus never leaks into the other compartment, and they are just the absolute perfect size. I have one for each of my boys. Click here to get a set for your family!
2. Applesauce Pouch & Jerky Stick
This applesauce pouch and jerky stick are two pre-packaged snacks that you will feel good about giving your kids! They are packed full of nutrients, made with clean ingredients, and have a minimal amount of added sugar. I also like combining these two for a more balanced snack. The applesauce provides a few more carbs while the jerky is purely protein. Both of these can be found on Amazon but I will attach a quick link to the jerky.
3. Noka Super Smoothie Pouch
With almost 10,000 stellar reviews on Amazon, I had to add these to my list of healthy school snacks for kids. Protein pouches are a staple in our house. My husband and I also eat them after workouts or just to hold us over before a meal. Stock up on these and you will be so relieved the next time you are rushing out the door! You can’t ask for anything more simple and also filling. These pouches are loaded with prebiotic fiber to support gut health, and vitamins for immune support. Not only will your kids be excited to see these in their school bag but they offer vital nutrients to keep them alert throughout their day. Click here to get some for your household.
4. Apple Slices & Cheese
This is one of the easiest “homemade” snacks you can pack for your kids. And I don’t think I have ever met a child that didn’t like it 🙂 It will take you all of 60 seconds to pack and you will feel so much better about what they are going to be fueling their little minds with that day. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Are you looking for similar sized containers as the one pictured? I will attach the link here! These are stainless steel so great for those trying to eliminate plastics. Also, the lids are so easy for those little preschool hands to open!
5. Hard Boiled Egg & Fruit
Hard boiled eggs with fruit is one of my personal favorite snacks, which is probably why my kids get it often. It’s so clean, nutritious, and visually appealing to top it off. Boil a batch of eggs on Sunday so you have them ready to go for the week ahead. You will thank yourself later. I try to keep a bowl of hard boiled, already peeled eggs in the fridge. Anything you can do to make your school/work week go smoother is a gift to yourself.
6. Banana & Almond Butter Sandwiches
This vanilla date almond butter is seriously the tastiest nut butter I’ve ever had in my life! I love it in smoothies as well, but for the sake of this post I wanted to show you how I include it in my kid’s school snacks. Peanut butter is typically full of hydrogenated oils and actually provides minimal protein. I try to use more almond butter these days and this one is to die for!!! Click here to check it out. *Be prepared to stir it a little extra when you first open it as it separates quite a bit. My husband has even used the hand mixer and the immersion blender…both work like a charm.
7. Orgain Protein Drink
My boys love these shakes! They come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. My oldest son prefers the vanilla over chocolate so I try to always have both on hand. Not only are these great to pack for school, they are so convenient for those mornings that you’re rushing a little more than usual! I also like to have them for a pre-sport snack. It gives them that extra protein boost without weighing them down.
This is a packaged snack option that I always like to have stocked at home. I actually keep it coming in my “Subscribe & Save” orders on Amazon. You can save a decent amount of money doing this and you will never forget to order it! Click here to view this item on Amazon.
This post was all about the best healthy school snacks for kids so you can include some easy, nutritious options into your family’s week.
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