Healthy Snacks For School That Your Kids Will Actually Eat
Every parent knows the challenge: you want your kids to eat healthy, especially when they're away at school, but kids can be notoriously picky eaters. Throw in the added wrench of school stores often stocking up on sugary treats and high-fat snacks, and it becomes an uphill battle to ensure your child is eating well. Even the most well-intentioned school district may not always meet parent’s standards for healthy options. But we have good news—smart snacking doesn't have to be a compromise between taste and health.
In this guide, we'll cover a variety of healthy snack ideas that are not only aligned with USDA's smart snack guidelines but are also designed to keep even the pickiest eaters satisfied. The smart snack standards were established to encourage schools to offer healthier snacks that are high in nutritional value, emphasizing whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting fats, sugars, and sodium. Whether it’s granola bars or creative uses of peanut butter, we're going beyond the basic carrot sticks and apple slices in this guide. Whether you're packing a lunch box for younger children, or advising older kids on what to pick from the school store, we've got options that are both delicious and nutritious.
Say goodbye to the days of battling over snacks that don't pass muster in terms of nutritional value. Dive in as we explore an array of healthy snack ideas that are sure to make both parents and kids happy.
Do you find yourself constantly on the go, but still want to indulge in healthy foods? The expert chefs at Hungryroot have crafted a wide variety of delicious groceries including recipes and snacks delivered straight to your doorstep. Whether juggling work, family, or other commitments, Hungryroot helps you enjoy mouthwatering foods without compromising your health goals. Get started today by taking our personalized quiz and start your health journey right from day one!
Our Favorite Kid-Approved Snacks For School
Bobo’s Peanut Butter + Grape Jelly Sandwich: This snack-sized sandwich offers a delicious and health-conscious twist on an iconic snack, making it an ideal choice for school-aged kids. With a crust made from whole-grain rolled oats, this vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free snack not only caters to various dietary needs but also packs in fiber and whole grains. The creaminess of the peanut butter, rich in protein, is balanced by the sweet and tangy flavors of grape jelly, crafted with grapes and whole cane sugar. With such a harmonious blend of ingredients, this PB + J is not just ready-to-eat straight from the pack, but it's also a snack that parents can feel good about putting in their children's lunch boxes.
Taylor Farms ‘Snap Happy’ Veggie Ranch Snack Pack: This snack pack offers a refreshing, crunchy, and satisfying snacking experience perfect for health-conscious families. This vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free pack features a yummy trio of veggies: crisp baby carrots, juicy grape tomatoes, and crunchy sugar snap peas. The accompanying creamy ranch dip is made from a thoughtful blend of ingredients, including non-fat buttermilk, spiced up with dried garlic and onion. Despite its indulgent taste, the ranch is crafted with care to keep additives to a minimum, making this pack a nutritious and wholesome choice. Whether in a lunch box or as an after-school snack, the 'Snap Happy' Snack Pack offers a convenient, delicious, and nutritious option that aligns with school standards and pleases even the pickiest eaters.
Hungryroot Classic Fruit Salad: This fruit cup is a vibrant medley of fresh fruits that offers an effortlessly nutritious and flavorful snack option. Composed of refreshing pineapple, juicy cantaloupe, sweet red grapes, and antioxidant-rich blueberries, each bite is a burst of natural sweetness With an array of vitamins and minerals like dietary fiber and potassium, it's a snack that parents can feel good about and kids will love. Already pre-sliced and mixed, it's as convenient as it is delicious, making these fruit cups an ideal option for a quick refuel in any lunch box.
Noka Organics Strawberry Pineapple Superfood Smoothie: This fruit smoothie pack is a delightful and nutrient-packed snack that brings a burst of tropical flavor to your child's day. It features a vibrant blend of certified organic ingredients—fresh strawberries, bananas, and pineapple juice concentrate—infused with brown rice protein and flax seeds for added sustenance. With a rich fiber and protein content, this smoothie is designed to keep kids energized and satisfied. Its convenient, squeezable pouch ensures a mess-free experience, making it a versatile choice that can easily slide into a lunch box, or serve as a quick, on-the-go snack.
Natureripe Farms Fruit Nut + Cheese Snack Pack: This snack pack offers a well-rounded, satisfying snacking experience that hits all the right notes of sweet, salty, and savory. This gluten-free assortment brings together juicy grapes and antioxidant-rich blueberries, cubes of sharp cheddar cheese rich in protein and calcium, and salted, roasted almonds that add a satisfying crunch as well as healthy fats. With a diverse range of flavors and textures, it’s a snack that caters to various cravings while offering a nutritional profile that can make any parent happy. With no added sugars and a good source of essential nutrients like calcium and iron, it’s a snack pack that can easily find a place in any lunch box.
Olli Salumeria Genoa Salami + Fontina Snack Pack: Elevate your child's snack time with this salami and fontina cheese snack pack. This nut-free and soy-free snack brings a touch of gourmet flair to the lunchbox with its charcuterie-inspired components. The pack features thinly sliced Genoa salami, crafted from high-quality pork paired with slices of nutty Fontina cheese, a rich source of protein and calcium, as well as artisanal crackers. Together, these elements create a symphony of flavors and textures, satisfying cravings for both savory and slightly salty treats. Ideal for picnics or as a special treat, this snack pack offers a delightful and well-balanced choice for those looking for something a little more upscale in a convenient, ready-to-eat format.
Skinnydipped Dark Chocolate Cocoa Almonds: Indulge your kid’s taste buds and fuel their growing bodies with chocolate almonds, a snack that proves you don't have to choose between delicious and nutritious. These almonds, naturally rich in protein, fiber, and vitamin E, are given a sumptuous twist with a coating of artisanal dark chocolate. Ideal for both sweet and savory cravings, these chocolate-covered almonds are vegetarian, gluten-free, and soy-free, making them a versatile choice that accommodates various dietary needs. Whether it's for a lunch box surprise or an after-school treat, this snack is a hit for kids and parents alike.
Cedar’s Garlic Hommus Chips: Dive into a world of flavor and nutrition with a snack combo that checks all the boxes for health-conscious parents and hungry kids alike. This all-in-one pack pairs gluten-free, corn-chickpea chips with a velvety, rich garlic hummus for a satisfying crunch and creamy dip in every bite. The hummus is a medley of fresh steamed chickpeas, sesame tahini, and roasted garlic. The chips are no less impressive, crafted from stone-ground corn and enriched with garbanzo flour, brown rice flour, and an array of spices, including garlic and onion powder. The blend of essential nutrients and exciting flavors makes this snack not only scrumptious but also an interactive and nutritious addition to any school lunch box.
Good Foods Chunky Guacamole + Chip Dipper: Introducing a snack duo destined to make your child's school day a little brighter and a lot tastier. Loaded with nutritious Hass avocados, this guacamole is a flavor fiesta of tomatoes, both white and red onions, cilantro, and lime juice, seasoned with a dash of sea salt. Not only does this pack serve up bold flavors, but it also provides a healthy dose of dietary fiber, healthy fats, and a modest amount of protein. The combination of satisfying textures and a rich nutrient profile makes it a wholesome and delicious school snack choice.
Taylor Farms Pretzels + Cheese Snack Pack: Let your kids indulge in a well-balanced trio that hits all the right flavor notes—sweet, salty, and savory—making it an ideal school snack to curb those afternoon cravings. This nut-free and vegetarian-friendly pack harmoniously blends the natural sweetness of crisp apples with the creamy richness of mild cheddar cheese. These are perfectly complemented by the crunchy, salty pretzels. Each component brings not just flavor but also a variety of nutrients: the apples offer fiber and vitamins, the cheese provides protein and calcium, and the pretzels add a satisfying crunch that makes snacking fun. All these make for a snack that's not just tasty but also a healthy option, supplying kids with the energy and nutrients they need to power through their busy school days.
Good Planet Foods Plant-based Gouda Snack Pack: Perfectly portioned for on-the-go snacking, this vegan and gluten-free pack brings together the salty richness of plant-based gouda cheese cubes, the nutty crunch of salted almonds, and the natural sweetness of dried cranberries. The gouda alternative is crafted from an innovative blend of coconut oil, potato starch, and plant-based proteins, offering a bold and savory flavor that even dairy lovers will love. Paired with protein-rich almonds and antioxidant-packed cranberries, this snack is a power combo that delivers essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Ideal for school snacks, this plant-based treat keeps kids fueled and happy, making it a win-win for both taste and health.
Sunnie Snacks Sunbutter + Jam Dipper: This dipper offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that's perfect for kids' snack time. This vegan pack features creamy sunflower butter, rich in protein and healthy fats, paired with a naturally sweet strawberry chia jam that's infused with the goodness of fiber-rich chia seeds. These spreads are perfectly complemented by crisp cassava flaxseed crackers, adding a crunchy texture and additional fiber to the mix. This snack not only tastes great but also keeps kids energized and satisfied throughout their school day in an allergy approved format.
Good Foods Plant-based Queso + Chip Dipper: This dipper is a delightfully easy and mouth watering snack perfect for your child's school day. This gluten-free and vegan snack pack brings together crispy white corn tortilla chips and a zesty vegan "queso" that's brimming with natural ingredients like cauliflower, red bell peppers, almonds, and almond butter. Nutritional yeast adds that quintessential cheesy note, while chia protein adds protein to the mix. With its vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this snack is an ideal choice to keep your kids nourished, satisfied, and excited for snack time.
Sweet Nothings Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites: Let your kids experience a tasty and nutritious snack perfect for school time. These vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free bites are a culinary masterpiece of chewy and creamy textures, with a base of organic dates, peanuts, and oats. Each morsel is filled with a dollop of rich peanut butter and then delicately rolled in organic cacao to create a harmonious blend of flavors. The simplicity of the ingredients—free from any artificial additives or sweeteners—makes this snack not just delectable but also wholly beneficial. Parents can feel good about providing their children with this blend of natural sweetness and nutty undertones, all wrapped up in a convenient, on-the-go package.
Sunnie Snacks Flatbread Pizza Dipper: For the ultimate fusion of snack time and pizza party, this dipper is a nutritious and tasty choice that both parents and kids will love. This vegetarian and gluten-free snack pack combines the rich flavors and textures of crisp cassava flaxseed crackers, zesty zucchini parm tomato sauce, and gooey shredded mozzarella cheese. Each ingredient is thoughtfully sourced, to create a harmonious blend of flavors reminiscent of a pizza pie. Whether stacking or dipping, kids will love the freedom to customize each bite while parents will appreciate the snack's high-protein content. This snack is conveniently packaged in a single-serving size, making it perfect for on-the-go snacking or as a unique addition to a school lunchbox. Just note the milk and coconut content if your child has specific food sensitivities.
Do you find yourself constantly on the go, but still want to indulge in healthy foods? The expert chefs at Hungryroot have crafted a wide variety of delicious recipes and healthy groceries delivered straight to your doorstep. Whether juggling work, family, or other commitments, Hungryroot ensures you can enjoy mouthwatering foods without compromising your health goals. Get started today by taking our personalized quiz and start your health journey right from day one.
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