New moms, whether or not they choose to nurse, have different needs than moms with older kids. Specifically, they really need snacks that can be eaten with one hand while they hold a baby in another and snacks that are room temperature so if they drip on the baby, it's not a big deal. Think we're kidding? We're not.
Snacks for new moms should include options for new moms who haven't slept in three days straight but still need to get some dang calories in their systems. And for moms of older kids who are toddling off to their own little playdates and daycares, packable snacks for toddlers are absolutely lifesaving. For ourselves — while we rarely have time to think about our own snacks — we also really love low-calorie snacks, which can help us be mindful of not *over-*snacking during the day (although we remain staunchly pro-snack).
We know how cooking works in our heads: We make ourselves and our partners three balanced, healthy meals every day. We make our kids a beautiful hot breakfast with pancakes shaped like their favorite cartoon characters, then pack them off to preschool with little cookie-cutter-cut-out sandwiches and charming fruit kebabs. When they come home, they get pristine, fresh-made snacks before sitting down to a perfectly well-balanced dinner.
We also know the reality: We wake up later than we meant to, the entire day is a total freaking blur, and we end up eating half a Lara bar we found while rummaging through a drawer for something else, plus stealing bites of a bunch of our kids' snacks. That's life. The kids come first. So the snacks should at least be food we want to steal, right? Totally.
Watermelon Popsicles
This recipe for watermelon popsicles doesn't have any added sugar, packs plenty of vitamins, and takes just a few minutes to make. Pick the best watermelon by thumping it for a hollow sound and picking one with a yellow belly.
Chickpea & Chocolate Clusters
Chickpea and chocolate clusters are a protein-packed, chocolate candy that are also filling, crispy, crunchy, and gluten-free. We love these plant-based snacks (and the fact that they only require two ingredients to make).
Flawless Kale Chips
Flawless kale chips taste cheesy and amazing when they're covered in nutritional yeast, which is also full of vitamin B12. Adjust the flavors for the family, but generally, nutritional yeast has a mild flavor that kids adore.
Cookie Dough Hummus
Cookie dough hummus sounds slightly odd, but kids and adults will love this indulgent-tasting treat that's a lot more healthy than its traditional version.
Pea Puffs
These are like chips that are full of protein (4 grams a serving!), and also taste like an awesome barbecue sauce. Yes, please. They also have live probiotics (like yogurt cultures do). A delicious, healthy snack that's great for home or school.
Pea Puffs — BBQ Flavor ($4, Jus By Julie)
Hickory Smoke Turkey Jerky
Turkey jerky offers lots of protein without being high in fat. It's delicious, healthy, and a great option to bring as a snack for situations where there's no refrigeration. Perfect to throw in the car glove compartment as an emergency snack, too.
Hickory Smoke Turkey Jerky ($6, Country Archer)
Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Pickles are extremely low-calorie, delicious, and beloved by kids and adults alike. Try this quick pickled cucumbers recipe, which also works on green beans and shallots. These are the kind of before-dinner snacks we feel OK about giving kids.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Cinnamon Bites
The almost cake-like consistency of these sweet potato quinoa cinnamon bites makes them pretty amazing — and totally healthy. Add a little bit of honey or coconut sugar for sweetness, or top with a chocolate avocado frosting.
Gouda Cheese Bites
Gouda cheese bites make a tasty snack for either kids or adults on a gluten-free diet — and they're really high-protein, to boot. They're also pretty amazingly delicious, either on their own or on top of a salad.
Gouda Cheese Bites ($3, Brandless)
Brownie Batter Dessert Hummus
Brownie batter dessert hummus is one of those things that makes no sense at the outset, but the minute somebody tries it, they go, "OK, of COURSE." This is absolutely delicious served with fruit slices or pretzels.
Green Smoothie Snack Bars
These green smoothie snack bars are super healthy and gluten-free, and taste kind of like blondies. They're honestly packed with flavor, protein, and healthy fats, not to mention they're a way to get kids to eat spinach (yes) and sweet potato.
Dill Pickle Partially Popped Popcorn
Who doesn't love a dill pickle? These partially popped popcorn kernels are absolutely delicious, filled with that classic deli pickle flavor, and are extraordinarily crunchy. We love partially popped popcorn for the added crunch factor.
Dill Pickle Partially Popped Popcorn ($3, Brandless)
Cinnamon Toasted Almonds
These cinnamon toasted almonds are so ridiculous easy to make, and are also great as part of a DIY snack mix. Try them with dried cranberries or raisins, or with a handful of popcorn, pretzels, or chocolate chips.
Puffed Amaranth, Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Granola Bars
These puffed amaranth, pistachio, and dark chocolate granola bars are a great, soy-free alternative for kids with wheat allergies, and they're also grown-up enough for mom to want to steal a few bites for herself.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies
These carrot cake oatmeal cookies are one of the healthiest things we've ever actually enjoyed. We defy kids to even know they're healthy … just don't tell them and they'll never, ever find out. So very good.
Greek Yogurt Dip With Apple Slices
What we love above all else: A healthy snack that doesn't actually taste healthy. Enter this awesome Greek yogurt dip with apple slices. This recipe calls for peanut butter, but almond or cashew butter would make a great substitute.
Freeze-Dried Strawberry Slices
We're as likely to throw this into our kids' lunch bags as we are to stash them in our own bag. Super healthy, low-calorie, sweet without any added sugar, don't need to be refrigerated … they're kind of amazing.
Freeze Dried Strawberry Slices ($4, Target)
Black Bean Brownies
We know, we know: Black beans don't belong in brownies. Until they do. Honestly, we like this black bean brownies recipe better than mom's classic one, and that used to be our gold standard. It's creamy.
SeaSnax Organic Roasted Seaweed
Let kids pretend to be mermaids (or sea otters!) with these tasty snacks made from just sustainably grown, organic seaweed, olive oil, and sea salt. It's a crunchy, chip-like snack that's wayyyy healthier than chips.
SeaSnax Organic Roasted Seaweed ($1.50, Thrive Market)
Kid-Friendly Guacamole & Vegetable Sticks
Kid-friendly guacamole and vegetable sticks is an alternative to serving the delicious, healthy fat of avocados with high-calorie tortilla chips. All that great guac flavor without any of the problems (and lots of vitamins).
