In the world of lunchbox snacks, there are the ones our kids clamor for, which are usually packed with artificial colors and flavors, come in extremely un-recyclable colorful packaging, and may not even be actually carbon-based, but look really, really cool to the eyes of a kiddo. Then there are healthy homemade snacks that we would love to feed our kids but rarely have the time to make happen (we aspire to one day actually make that DIY granola recipe that's been bookmarked for the past five years). And then there are the prepackaged healthy snacks. These are harder to figure out because a lot of fake-healthy snacks are made to look like they're actually pretty healthy in the store, but the ones we rounded up here are the real deal — genuinely healthy treats that kids will actually enjoy.
For the ultimate in healthy snacking, try some dietitian-approved healthy snacks, but know they're the ones that kids will love. When the weather heats up, turn to healthy summertime snacks, and while most definitely take advantage of amazing seasonal produce in the summer, many work year-round. When mama's trying to feed a toddler on the go, pack snacks appropriate for that kidddo's age. For kids (or mom) need to watch their calorie intake, try some under 100 calorie snacks to take control while still getting a snack in.
Dirt Kitchen Snacks Trail Mix
This combination of green beans and roasted almonds is incredible when it's fresh from the oven (and such a simple recipe!) but for tossing in a lunchbox on the go, this combo, which is covered in a lemony, buttery, garlicky seasoning, is perfection.
Dirt Kitchen Snacks Trail Mix ($25 for 12, Amazon)
Go Raw Organic Raw Pizza Flax Snax
These gluten-free crackers are thin, deliciously pizza-flavored, and are made from organic ingredients, including sprouted seeds, including flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds.
Go Raw Organic Raw Pizza Flax Snax ($5, Thrive Market)
Guacamole & Sliced Bell Peppers
Pick up a mini-pack of guacamole to toss into lunchboxes with a little zip bag of sliced bell peppers as the dipping tools — instead of unhealthy, saturated fat-filled tortilla chips. This is a much healthier option overall.
Wholly Guacamole Minis Classic Mild ($5 for 6, WalMart)
Hippie Snacks Cauliflower Crisps Classic Ranch
Made from real cauliflower, these are a crunchy, tasty alternative to unhealthy snacks — and they're ranch-flavored, to boot. They're incredibly flavorful, way better than many similar brands.
Hippie Snacks Cauliflower Crisps Classic Ranch ($5, Thrive Market)
Solely Organic Banana with Cacao Fruit Jerky
These fruit jerky strips are made from just two ingredients: a whole, organic banana and pure cacao. This is made without sulfites or preservatives, and without any added sugar. It's completely clean food and everyone loves it.
Solely Organic Banana with Cacao Fruit Jerky ($18 for 12, Amazon)
Perky Jerky Turkey Original
This fantastic-tasting turkey jerky is comes in 12 one-ounce packages, and they're a good choice for active kids especially — with 10 grams of protein and only 80 calories for the package. It's a great, natural treat.
Perky Jerky Turkey Original ($33 for 12, Amazon)
NUTrition Heart Healthy Snack Nut Mix
This is an extremely heart-healthy combination of peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Shake a handful into a small container and enjoy this gluten-free snack (and sure, give some to the kids, too).
NUTrition Heart Healthy Snack Nut Mix ($10, Amazon)
Orchard Valley Harvest Omega-3 Mix
A combination of walnuts, dried sweetened cranberries, almonds, and pistachios, this is a healthy mix made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives — and it's delicious, to boot. A good boost of protein in any kid's diet.
Orchard Valley Harvest Omega-3 Mix ($5 for 8, Amazon)
Angie's Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn
Popcorn is one of our favorite snacks, but it's not always super healthy because it's often doused in fake butter flavor or cinnamon-sugar. But this is a whole-grain snack with just 80 calories in a whole bag — perfect for a lunchbox.
Angie's Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn ($13 for 24, Amazon)
Ojas Studio Date & Grain Bites, 3 Flavor Variety Pack
These date and grain bites provide good energy that can keep kids going throughout the day. They're made from dates, oats, nuts, honey, and other wholesome ingredients — and come in three delicious flavors.
Ojas Studio Date & Grain Bites, 3 Flavor Variety Pack ($17 for 8, Amazon)
Crunch-a-Mame Edamame Snack
This snack is rich in protein and fiber, and it's a smart choice for growing kids. Because it tastes nutty and mild, edamame is a great way to get kids who don't love veggies to eat more vegetables. This snack is made without preservatives and have a low glycemic index, too.
Crunch-a-Mame Edamame Snack ($12.29 for 8, Amazon)
Frigo Cheese-Heads Light String Cheese
Nutritious and easy to toss in a lunch bag, this light string cheese is only 50 calories but contains 7 grams of protein, so it's a great fit as a snack with a heavier lunch. Plus, it's super fun for kids to pull apart.
Frigo Cheese-Heads Light String Cheese ($3 for 12, Target)
GimMe Snacks Organic Roasted Seaweed - Sea Salt
Only 25 calories per serving, this is a light snack filled with minerals and vitamins. It's also really tasty and comes in a variety of flavors, including sesame and teriyaki, so grab whichever the family likes best!
GimMe Snacks – Organic Roasted Seaweed – Sea Salt ($16 for 20, Amazon)
Sabra Hummus & Carrot Sticks
Hummus, which is made primarily from cooked chickpeas and tahini, which is a sesame paste, is a healthful snack for kids and grown-ups alike. Send them off with a single pack and a bag of carrot sticks for a healthy snack time.
_Sabra Hummus ($5 for 6, Mercato)_
Flax Seed Crackers And Almond Butter
Throw a couple of tablespoons of almond butter in a reusable container and a little container of these flax seed crackers, and that's a great, healthy snack that also doesn't contribute to as much packaging waste.
Doctor in the Kitchen Flackers – Sea Salt Flax Seed Crackers ($5, Thrive Market)
Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips
These beet chips are delicious and so healthful, too. These come in a variety pack of sea salt, naked, and pickled. These don't contain nitrates, and they're potassium-rich, vegan, and an excellent source of fiber, to boot.
Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips ($15 for 4, Amazon)
Veggie-Go's Organic Fruit and Veggie Strips
These healthful strips are packed with real fruit and vegetable goodness, and they come in a variety of flavors, including berry/apple/spinach, mango/apple/pumpkin, and our favorite, sweet potato/apple/spices.
Veggie-Go's Organic Fruit and Veggie Strips ($21 for 20, Amazon)
Broccoli "Chedda" Veggie Pops
Despite tasting super cheesy, these broccoli snacks are entirely plant-based. With 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, they're a healthy addition to any kid's lunch bag. They're made with broccoli, kale, chickpeas, and other wholesome ingredients.
Broccoli "Chedda" Veggie Pops ($5, Made in Nature)
Frooze Balls Peanut Butter Filled Energy Balls
These snacks contain 10 grams of protein that features pea protein, which is really healthy. These plant-based ingredients are made with nut butter, raw dates, raisins, sunflower seeds, coconut, and peanuts, and come in three delicious flavors.
Frooze Balls Peanut Butter Filled Energy Balls ($14.99 for 5, Amazon)
Toasted Cinnamon Coconut Chips
Toasty, yummy, and flavored with organic maple syrup, these are such tasty, healthful snacks that can really take the place of chips or other crunchy snacks (while fulfilling a bit of a sweet tooth in lieu of dessert, too).
Toasted Cinnamon Coconut Chips ($4, Made In Nature)
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