Healthy snacks I make on repeat

 
 

As a busy mom and nutritionist, I know that having healthy and affordable snack options for your kids can be a real struggle. There needs to be balance. Busy parents do all they can to provide healthy options, but sometimes packaged snacks are quicker and easier. I get it! There is no judgement here! 

My kids are 3 and 5 so I try to do all I can now to model healthy eating and teach them about making balanced food choices. I know that in the near future they will probably see more packaged snack options, and will want to try them, but for now I have found that in our household packaged kids snacks drive up my grocery bill, don’t keep the kids full for very long, and make a lot of packaging waste. And many moms I talk to say the same. I still buy some convenience options, but when I can, there are a few easy options I make over and over again to keep the snack monsters happy.

Here are some of our go-to options:

  • PB stuffed dates. This is such an easy “dessert”- we probably eat it 2x per week after dinner.

  • Apple nachos. Kids love to play and have fun so I let them decorate their own and they  have a blast! I’ll pull out fun add-ons like mini marshmallows and chocolate chips for a treat! The recipe is in my free energy boosting meal plan!

  • Greek yogurt with honey. Sometimes we make a “banana split” with banana, greek yogurt, and fun toppings like chocolate sauce and freeze-dried fruit sprinkles.

  • Smoothies/smoothie popsicles. Any yummy smoothie can be made into a popsicle- but there’s a delicious pumpkin spice smoothie in the meal plan! You can also find one of my kid’s favourite’s- sunshine smoothie popsicles- on the blog right here.

  • Homemade cookies. Chocolate chip is a fav- I make a big batch maybe 1x per month and keep them in the freezer.

  • Banana chocolate chip oatmeal cups. Basically these are easy peasy muffins without added sugar or white flour. So great for on-the-go. The recipe is in my free energy boosting meal plan!

  • Pickles. Fermented is even better!

  • Homemade freezer waffles or pancakes- I like to make little waffle sandwiches for them with peanut butter and jelly. So filling! My go-to recipe my free energy boosting meal plan!

  • Any fruit. I’ll often buy frozen and defrost it when it’s not in season!

  • Crackers and guacamole. Crackers are one of the things I do NOT make from scratch! Simple Mills are yummy, or sweet potato crackers, or honestly Goldfish sometimes! Whatever!

  • Cucumbers. Sprinkle them with rice vinegar and a pinch of salt!

  • Good Quality Deli Meat or pepperoni sticks. I try to buy organic options from local farms when I can.

  • Dried Fruit. Apples or mangoes or apricots are the favourites!

 
 

I hope that gives you some ideas! Some of these options take no time at all, some are a bit more involved. I have found that getting the kids involved in the process = quality time with them and that’s time well spent!

Remember to grab the recipes for the Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cups, Apple Nachos, Freezer Waffles and Stuffed Dates (in a printable PDF format) in my FREE 7 day meal plan by clicking the button below!

Happy snacking!

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