If you're ever scoured the contents of a vending machine trying to find a decent snack for your child, you need this list of snacks to go. Keep these portable, packable items handy at home, in the car, or in your bag for a healthier alternative to impulse buying. For more ideas, check the natural foods area at your grocery store, but be sure to read labels for hidden ingredients or surprising sugars and calories. The following snacks to go are generally good choices, depending on your child's age, energy level, and what he eats at mealtimes.
- Whole fruits: apples, bananas, pears, grapes, berries, oranges
- Trail mix (avoid those with candy; stick with nuts, dried fruit, and seeds)
- String cheese*
- Dry cereal (look for varieties with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving)
- Whole-grain pretzels or baked chips
- Popcorn, without butter or salt
- Sandwiches made with whole grain bread and lean meats, cheese, or nut butters*
- Fruit leathers (made with 100% fruit juice or puree) or dried fruits
- Squeezable yogurt* or applesauce (check labels for sugar content)
- Raw vegetables: carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, pepper or cucumber strips*
- Beef/turkey jerky
- Nuts or seeds
- Cookies: fig bars, animal crackers, oatmeal cookies, graham crackers
*Requires refrigeration or a cooler with a cold pack
Safety note: Remember that raw vegetables, grapes, nuts, and popcorn are choking hazards. Avoid serving to children under 5, or cut into small pieces.
