15 Healthy Snacks For Lunch Boxes

Packing lunchboxes can be stressful, particularly if you leave it for the last minute as you’re trying to head out the door and wrangle everyone into the car. Then there are all the choices: Do you fill it full of organic, nutritious stuff that your child may or may not eat? Do you fill it with items guaranteed to be consumed but not so healthy? And what about allergies… some schools are totally peanut-free, which leaves the old PBJ combo out in the cold.

You don’t want your kid to go hungry, waste food or, worse, trade for something you really don’t approve of. So, how do you create a win-win situation in the lunch box department?

There are many ways to sneak nutrition in, right under Sam’s or Sasha’s nose. The key factor that you need to remember is that taste trumps nutrition. If it tastes good, they won’t notice that it is also good for them. Here are a few ideas to run with on healthy snacks to stuff in a lunch box, without alerting the consumer (A.K.A. your kid) to its healthfulness.

1. Homemade trail mix – Kds love to snack on stuff by the handful and naturally lean towards food they can eat in bite-sized servings. Moms love it because you can also sneak all sorts of good stuff in there – dried fruit bits, seeds, etc. – without them being any wiser.

2. Chips & salsa – Always a perennial favorite; you can even make homemade salsa and tortilla chips on the weekend for more control over what your kids are eating.

3. Veggie chips- Before you grab that 10-pack of not-so-good-for-you chips, try the veggie ones. Chips and puffs made from vegetables often include a bit more in the vitamin area, and most kids do like them. Try a bag next time.

4. Mini kabobs- Use small wooden skewers and thread grapes, small cubes of cheese and leftover ham or chicken. Healthy, tasty and fun.

5. Hummus- This Middle Eastern chickpea dip is super healthy and is another great way to serve up those baby carrots. Dips and kids are always a hit.

6. Tzatziki- Originally from Greece, this garlicky yogurt dip is not for everyone but may just suit your kid’s need for saltiness. Great with sliced cucumbers or pita chips.

7. Cheese – Single serve cheeses are awesome. They include a dose of calcium and protein. Include a toothpick for fun eating.

8. Peanut butter- Sure, PB & J sandwiches are everywhere but try a single serve pack of flavored peanut butter, if your school hasn’t banned it. Super healthy, low in sugar and the squirt-in-your-mouth-fun-factor lets it compete head-to-head with sugary snacks, and win.

9. Apple with caramel – Single-serve caramel tubs and sliced apples are a great, healthy snack for kids of all ages.

10.  Fruit medley – For some reason, if you stick an orange in your kid’s lunch box, it comes back to you, untouched. If you stuff a small Tupperware with a strawberry, a few raspberries, some blueberries and a slice or two of that same orange, they will eat every last bite. Go figure. 

11.  Vegetable medley – It’s the same with vegetables. A plastic zip-top bag with baby carrots gets old. But fill that Tupperware with a few carrots, a piece of cauliflower, a broccoli floret and a few cherry tomatoes and wow! Vanishing act. Be sure to pack a single serve ranch dressing packet for guaranteed success.

12.  Yogurt – This is a great snack in its natural state, but not so great when you stir in sugary, chemically add-ins. Try organic vanilla with Grape Nuts cereal. It gives the added crunch your child is looking for, with the healthy twist moms like.

13. Tuna – If you child loves prepared snack packs and lunch kits, try single-serve tuna packs with whole wheat crackers. It lets them think they “won” but still gets them to eat healthy.

14. Organic fruit snacks and leathers – Honestly, these are great, healthy snacks when done right, meaning with organic and minimal added sugar.

15. Celery with PB and raisins – A classic snack that’ll make them think of mom. Yea!

15 Breakfasts on the Go

Mornings are hectic when it is just you. Then, you add kids to the mix and it can get downright chaotic. People need to get dressed, find backpacks and shoes, make lunches, iron shirts, curl hair, apply make-up and everyone is jockeying for a position in front of that mirror. While I can’t help you with the mirror problem, I do have suggestions for grabbing a quick breakfast on the go. The 15 ideas below should get you pointed in the right nutritional direction, no matter how crazy your mornings are.

1. Homemade trail mix can be mixed ahead of time and stored in individual containers or in a jar in the pantry. Be sure to include a mix of healthy nuts (for protein) and dried fruit.

2. Pre-packaged nut packets are also a quick solution when you are short on time on week day mornings.

3. Yogurt with healthy cereal. Before you grab those kid-friendly looking yogurts with the mix-ins or green dye, read the labels. You are better off mixing in a cereal like Grape Nuts for added crunch and nutrition.

4. Frozen grapes or cherries. Not everyone is a big eater in the mornings but some frozen fruit to nibble on during the ride is a great way to wake up their tummy.

5. A tortilla can be filled with shredded cheese, thinly sliced apples and microwaved for a few seconds until the cheese melts. It’s tasty, nutritious and fast.

6. If you are trying to wean yourself off of a fast food breakfast, try an English muffin with ham and American cheese. If you have time, microwave until the cheese melts. If you have even more time, fry an egg.

7. A great way to use up leftovers from last night’s dinner is to add a piece of leftover chicken to a dinner roll with some cheese. Heat and eat.

8. If your family is big on Saturday morning pancakes, make extra and stash them in the freezer. You can microwave them or eat them frozen (kid friendly). You can serve them with syrup or spread them peanut butter.

9. Smoothies are a great way to get a lot of nutrition in your body quickly, and they taste great. Try vanilla soy milk, a banana, a handful of strawberries and ½ cup of uncooked oatmeal. Give it a spin and grab a straw.

10. Another version is the chocolate smoothie. What kid wouldn’t want a chocolate shake for breakfast? Mix chocolate almond milk, a banana and 2 tablespoons of natural peanut or almond butter.

11. Oatmeal with all the fixings is a great, quick breakfast. Prep all the add-ins, nuts, raisins, brown sugar, and have them handy at all times. This breakfast works best for kids that are driven to school. It’s a little tricky to walk to the bus stop while eating out of a bowl. Not impossible, but tricky.

12. Homemade granola and milk is another great to go breakfast for the car ride.

13. Better yet, turn that homemade granola into homemade granola bars.

14. Leftover mostacholi is a healthier alternative to cold pizza and quite popular with kids. Plus, there is nothing easier than cold, leftover noodles to serve for a breakfast on the go.

15. Bake banana bread or zucchini bread on Sunday to make your Monday mornings go a little smoother and tastier.

Whichever tips you take, have everything prepped in a drawer or section of the fridge for easy access. Better yet, make sure everyone can get their own breakfast by putting everything in easy reach.