Healthy Back-to-School Snacks
Our favorite healthy grab-and-go snack recipes to make going back to school a little easier.
In the hustle and bustle of back-to-school days, it can be tough to find quick, healthy snacks that your kids will actually eat. Here are our five favorite snack recipes for kids (and adults) to add to lunches for the busy days and weeks to come.
The Classic
When was the last time you dipped a slice of crisp, juicy apple into peanut butter (or your favorite nut-free peanut butter alternative)? The tasty snack we all remember from childhood is still as good as it used to be. Scoop one serving of peanut or nut-free butter into a dip container and slice up an apple (our recommendations are Gala or Ambrosia for maximum crispness). You can even use a single-serving container of peanut butter for ultimate convenience!
TIP: After slicing the apple, piece the it back together and secure it with an elastic band. This will help to stop the fruit from browning before a picky kid gets to eat it at snack time.
The Belle of the Ball
Perfect for kids with allergies or nut-free schools, these little guys have 5 grams of protein and just a touch of chocolate to get your kids excited to eat them. They’re also gluten- and dairy-free for any dietary restrictions and are super quick to throw together. Kids can help to make them too – it’s a fun project to roll the dough into the perfect balls. Visit Yummy Mummy Kitchen for the full recipe.
The Double-Duty Muffin
These ham and cheese muffins are a great snack for before sports or after-school activities, and the bonus is they also make an awesome breakfast on the go. This savory take on a classic muffin makes them so versatile the whole family will be reaching for them. Our tip? Add a few minced green onions with the ham and cheese to add a little twist. Visit She Wears Many Hats for the full recipe.
The Roll-Up
Mix it up a bit by bringing Taco Tuesday to lunchtime. These Mexican pinwheels use Rotisserie chicken you can pick up with your regular grocery run, so you won’t have to cook it separately to assemble these. Send kids with two pinwheels for a recess snack, or send them with the full tortilla as their main lunch component.
You can try these with all kinds of different ingredients – some of our other favorites are banana with a nut-free peanut butter alternative or the classic ham and cheese with lettuce and tomato cubes. Visit Super Healthy Kids for the full recipe.
The Ultimate Convenience
Popcorn. It’s the perfect healthier alternative for kids who like munching on chips or cheezies. Fill up a ziplock or lunch container and send with kids for a lighter morning or afternoon snack. We recommend keeping it old fashioned and going with stove top popcorn – those microwave bags are full of preservatives and coated with those yellow ‘butter flavor’ chemicals. Using a touch of olive or coconut oil to pop popcorn on the stove gives the perfect pop with a little flavor. Visit Cookies and Kate for some tips on this method.
Best of luck to you and your family in getting back into the school groove! As your family grows and evolves, your needs change. Visit our website to learn more about how a Personal Health Plan can provide coverage for when you need it (like when your daughter needs braces!) and peace of mind for when you don’t.