Good nutrition is the foundation of healthy growth, brain development, and learning. Snacks are an essential part of nutrition for kids. Children’s stomachs are smaller than adults and they cannot fit as much food (or nutrients) into one meal. Therefore, a healthy snack allows for a bit more nutrition to be added to their day.
Luckily, kids love snacks. But any parent knows they don’t often love what is considered to be the healthiest for them. Helping kids find healthy and tasty snacks is the job of parents, but navigating all of the choices can be a challenge.
We’re here to help with our list of favorite easy healthy snacks for kids.
Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids
When choosing a healthy snack for kids, here are a few things you want to look for, particularly when choosing pre-packaged options.
- Low in added sugar. Total sugar should be under 5 grams per serving for a small snack and 8 grams if it is a complete meal. Try to keep added sugar as close to zero as possible.
- Whole grains or plant-based. Look for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or nuts within the first three ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order of how much of that ingredient is in the snack.
- Check the sodium. Choose low or reduced sodium options when available. Most of us already get more sodium than we need, including kids.
- Consider protein. Protein helps you stay full, so if there’s an option for a higher protein snack, always choose that. If a snack doesn’t have protein, consider adding a protein source.
Here are some of our favorite healthy packaged snacks for kids that meet these criteria:
Made Good Bars
Made Good makes a variety of packaged snacks such as granola bars, healthier cookies, and crackers featuring whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Their products are also made in a facility that is free from the top nine most common allergens.
Go-Go Squeeze
These convenient fruit and vegetable packages by Go-Go Squeeze are a kid favorite. They make a variety of different products, including applesauce infused with fruits and vegetables, yogurt pouches, and even pudding.
String Cheese
String cheese or other varieties of single-serving cheese snacks are a high-protein option, typically packing 5-7 grams per ounce. Cheese sticks are an easy addition to a lunch meal that needs a little more protein to help keep your kid full all day.
Drinkable Yogurt
Single-serving drinkable yogurt made by brands like Siggi’s is a protein-packed option that also provides calcium and probiotics. Flavored varieties will be typically higher in added sugar, but much of the sugar content is what is naturally present in the yogurt.
Larabar
Larabars are energy bars made from natural, simple ingredients. They come in a wide variety of flavors and even carry a specialty line for kids made from buckwheat flour, coconut oil, and sweetened with honey.
Harvest Snaps
For those looking for a healthier potato chip alternative, Harvest Snaps makes crunchy, flavored snacks out of snap peas. They carry a whole line of creative flavors such as white cheddar and parmesan roasted garlic.
Whisps
Whisps are cheese crackers made 100% from real cheese. This means they are gluten-free, high in protein, and low in carbs. They come in a variety of flavors such as Tangy Ranch, Cheddar, and Garlic Herb. They also have cheese and pretzel bites for a balanced carb-rich choice.
Chomps Meat Sticks
What would a snack roundup be without a mention of our favorite snacks? Our Chomps meat sticks come in a variety of flavors and protein options and always make for a delicious, on-the-go snack. Also, visit our recipe collection for creative ways to use Chomps beyond just snacking.
Hippeas Puffs
Hippeas Puffs are similar to the snap pea snacks but are made from chickpeas. They also come in multiple flavor options such as barbeque, white cheddar, and nacho. Hippeas also makes healthier chickpea-based tortilla chips and snacking straws.
That’s It Bars
That’s It bars are a simple fruit-based snack that typically contains one or two fruits and “that’s it!” as the name suggests. They have no added sugar and are made of 100% real fruit. They are available in a wide variety of flavors and fruit combinations.
Chickpea Snacks
Roasted chickpeas are a crunchy, high fiber protein-rich snack. While you can make them yourself, there are several brands like The Good Bean and Saffron Road that offer packaged varieties in different flavors.
Raisins or Craisins
Raisins or dried cranberries (Craisins) are a healthy sweet treat easy to toss into a lunch box or add to a homemade trail mix. They are also a source of soluble fiber, beneficial for healthy digestion. Avoid raisins or Craisins that are coated with additional sugar, as they are already sweet all on their own.
RX Bars
RX Bars are protein and snack bars made with simple ingredients and “no bs” as it says on the label. In most of the bars, ingredients include egg whites, nuts, seeds, and dates for sweetness. They may not be appropriate for kids with nut or egg allergies.
Fruit Cups
Pre-packaged fruit cups have moved well beyond just apple sauce. You can now find shelf-stable cups of peaches, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and more. Just look for fruit cups that are in their own juice or packed with “light” syrup, rather than heavy syrup.
Avocado Cups
Individually packaged avocado or guacamole cups are a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats. They can be used as a tasty dip when served with a side of corn tortilla chips or veggie sticks.
Whole Grain Cereal
Whole grain cereals, like Cheerios or Puffins, are an easy and transportable snack that is fun to munch on. Most cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, like iron, and are a good source of fiber. Cereal can be eaten dry as an on-the-go snack or with your milk of choice.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is a filling snack that can be purchased pre-made or that you can make yourself. Start with a blend of your favorite nuts and add in dried fruit, chocolate chips, or yogurt-covered raisins for a bit of sweetness.
Simple Mills Products
Simple Mills makes a wide variety of gluten-free products with simple ingredients that are often infused with fruits and vegetables. Their new PopMMMs are tasty and crunchy cheese snacks made from butternut squash and red beans.
Coconut Clusters
Coconut clusters, made by Inno Foods, are a good option for kids with allergies. They are sweet and crunchy clusters of coconut, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. These clusters are a good alternative if a kid has a nut allergy and can’t have trail mix.
Apple Chips
Dried apple chips are a crunchy, sweet snack that provides more fiber than a traditional potato chip. They are made from a variety of different apple types, which can help vary the flavor of the snack. Choose apple chips with no added sugars when possible, like those made by Bare.
Easy Healthy Snacks for Kids
Ensuring that children have access to healthy snacks is vital for their growth and development. While kids often prefer less healthy options, there are plenty of fun, healthy snacks for kids available at your local grocery store, you just have to look.
Snacks should ideally be low in added sugar, rich in whole grains or plant-based ingredients, and provide protein. By making informed choices, parents can help their children enjoy tasty and nutritious snacks that support their well-being. For additional snack ideas, check out our lunch box snacks round-up and our dye-free snacks lists.
