Back to school is right around the corner and one thing moms didn’t miss all summer long was packing lunches. We want our children to continue to have healthy and nutritious meals even while at school, but it always seems like the things that are easiest to pack are also not the healthiest. Luckily we have been able to find some of our favorite healthiest back to school snacks that are not only delicious and nutritious but also super easy to pack for work or for school. We also have some sweet treats for yummy and healthy after school snacks.
24 Healthy Snacks for Kids’ Lunch Boxes
OWYN Dairy Free Milk
This vegan-non-dairy flavored milk combines pea, organic pumpkin seed, quinoa, and organic flax oil, to help you and your little ones maintain and develop healthy bodies. Along with 8 grams of protein, each serving delivers a superfoods greens blend (Kale, Spinach, and Broccoli) and 400mg Omega 3s, which are known to be anti-inflammatory on the body. They also are easy to pack in school lunches and don’t need to be refrigerated all day. The future is plant-based and now you can finally have plant-based flavored milk that you and your kids can enjoy!
MadeGood
For healthy nutrition on the run, MadeGood foods should be your go to source of organic healthy snacks this school year. All of their products are made in an allergen free facility making them safe for everyone, including your child’s classmates. These snacks are not only delicious, but also organic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free. Additionally, their snacks contain hidden veggies with the nutrients of one full serving of veggies in every snack. From snack bars to mini granola and cookie bites, there is something sure to please even the most serious food critics – our kids.
gimMe snacks
Children love the Umami flavor in seaweed snacks, so take this as your opportunity to introduce your children to healthy snacks that are also umami-rich! GimMe roasted seaweed snacks are savory, bold, and flavorful, and high in nutrients including, iodine, calcium, Omega 3s, biotin, folate, fiber, protein and more. Plus, the packages are small and compact, making them perfect for school lunches.
Fruit Spreads by Rigoni di Asiago
Perfect for quick, delicious snacks and lunches, Rigoni di Asiago will be a fan favorite for children and parents, alike. To create their all-organic and non-GMO fruit spreads, Fiordifrutta, they harvest 28 varieties of fruits in peak season from all over Europe and preserve their fresh taste using just 3 ingredients. They also produce decadent chocolate hazelnut spreads called Nocciolata, free from palm oil, preservatives and gluten, to make indulging less guilt inducing, harvested from their very own farms in Northern Italy. Though the family-owned business is an institution in Italy, Rigoni has made huge strides in innovating healthier, natural food with the same organic farming practices it’s used for decades. Dolcedì, for example, is the apple juice used to sweeten all their fruit spreads, and its available to consumers as a low-glycemic alternative to sugar and other artificial sweeteners.
Sneakz Organic
Anyone else have a problem getting their kids to willingly eat their fruits and vegetables? Sneakz Organic solves that problem with their genuinely delicious, whole food, ready-to-serve milkshakes that ensure children get the energy-producing nutrients they need every day by “sneaking” vegetables into their lunch boxes! Available in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, the easy-to-pack Tetra Pak cartons (which don’t need to be refrigerated until after they are opened), are gluten and GMO free and contain a half serving of daily vegetables per 8 oz box (derived from carrot, cauliflower, sweet potato, and spinach). We love them and your kids will too.
Back to Nature
Want to replace your kids’ favorite snacks with something a little healthier? Back to Nature Grab & Go snacks are the perfect edition to your child’s lunch box or after-school snack.
Every Back To Nature product is made with simple ingredients inspired by nature. No hydrogenated oils and no high fructose corn syrup, these pre-portioned snacks are something you can proudly send to school without repackaging. Our kids particularly love the Mini Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Crispy Cheddar Crackers, but every single one of these Grab & Go snacks is deliciously mom-approved!
Crinklez by Sprout Organic
Looking for a healthy snack option that your toddler or preschooler will love? Sprout Organic NEW Crinklez is a delicious popped veggie snack for toddlers, made from plant powered chickpeas and popped with colorful carrots, spinach, and beets! This tasty and wholesome snack has a fun crinkle shape that is easy for toddlers to pick up and hold. Moms love them because the resealable bag easily fits into diaper bags and strollers for convenient, on-the-go snacking . Made only with real, honest, and pure ingredients, Crinklez are USDA certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, and contain no added flavors or colors. The Pumpkin Carrot flavor is also dairy-free and vegan!
Luckybar
As a parent, you often have to pick your battles with little ones. Getting your kids to eat healthy snacks can be hard enough, let alone with a picky kid. Enter Luckybar. This delicious bar is designed specifically for picky eaters and is the only bar that has more protein than two eggs. Not only will your kids love it, but you’ll love the ingredients and nutrition –allowing snack time to come and go without a fight. Luckybars are proven to “surprise and delight” your picky eater with 5 delicious flavors, including, Chocolate Campfire, Cosmic Chocolate Caramel Almond, Crazy Coconut, Pirate Peanut Butter Chocolate and Strawberry Sandcastles. Not only are they low in sugar, carbohydrates, fat and sodium but they also have no fillers, gluten or preservatives.
Slammers Snacks by Kids Gourmet
Now that summer is behind us, it’s time to get back to basics and refuel our kids with all the nutrition they need to power through the school day and after-school activities. Packed with organic vegetables and super foods, Slammers Snacks by Kids Gourmet are an on-the-go, easily digestible alternative to bars, chips, and sugar laden snacks. Awesome as-is, they’re a fruity and fun source of essential vitamins and minerals to keep kids in tip top shape. Or toss them in your kid’s lunchbox FROZEN! Not only do they develop a slushy-like consistency, they’ll keep lunch cold!
Welch’s Fruit and Yogurt Snacks
Our children deserve the best – REAL fruit, no preservatives and fat free. Available in a variety of delicious flavors including Mixed Fruit, Berries n’ Cherries, Fruit Punch, Super Fruit Mix and more, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt are perfect for back-to-school.
Emmy’s Organics
Simple ingredients that are simply beyond delicious. Give yourself (and the kids if you must) a delectable treat after school, in between meals, or just whenever. Guilt-free snacking at your fingertips. These organic cookies put a scrumptious and healthy twist on the traditional look-a-likes. 100% kid-friendly with non-GMO ingredients, while being vegan, kosher, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Simply-made cookies and super yummy for all tummies.
Crunchies
Savory, satisfying, and sensually pleasing to the palate. Crunchies has the perfect mix of afterschool snacks to curb the “hangry” in anybody. From the sweet tang of mango and chocolate to the refreshing zing of a handful of mixed fruit, you have quite the selection to choose from. Need a healthy pick-me-up for your picky eater…get them crunching on Crunchies! It’s the kind of better-for-you snacking you won’t feel guilty about.
Pure Organics
Snacks seem to fly off the shelves when there a
Healthy Snacks for Teenagers
ICONIC Protein Shakes
A busy back to school schedule doesn’t mean you should compromise your health or your child’s nutrition. ICONIC’s ready to drink protein shakes are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast item, especially for the back-to-school season ICONIC’s protein shakes are made with healthy and natural ingredients. They come in delicious flavors like Cacao + Green, Coconut Matcha, Turmeric Ginger, Chocolate Truffle and more. They are
low sugar, low carb, high protein, and nutrient rich Omega-3 fats, Vitamin E, beta-carotene and CLA. ICONIC Protein Shakes offers fuel and nutrition for a long day at school without the junky ingredients and fillers.
Himalayan Sea Salt Pretzels by FitJoy
Finally—grain-free pretzels! No wheat, no gluten, no corn starch, no hidden malt anything. Just deliciously classic, crunchy twists baked from cassava and chickpea flour and tossed in pink Himalayan sea salt. Whether you’re trying to eat less grain to avoid digestive issues and reduce inflammation, or simply because you want to feel lighter, or you’re making a giant leap into your kiddos eating healthier this back-to-school season, these pretzels make the perfect crunchy snack!
Ancient Harvest
Ancient Harvest offers plant-based and gluten-free non-GMO products for easy, yet tasty, dinners. Whether your family is in the mood for pasta or polenta, Ancient Harvest will deliver a delicious meal straight to your table. If you are looking to add protein to your family’s diet, check out their line of POW Pasta and Mac & Cheese. You can also find an impressive selection of supergrain pastas. Depending on your preference, you can choose from traditional quinoa or heat-and-eat microwaveable quinoa for when you are in a time crunch. These delicious and nutritious gluten-free products should be stocked in your pantry for healthy and organic go-to dinners!
FitJoy Protein Bar
Back to school means everyone is super busy. Moms, dads, and kids are running out of the house to get to school and work or to after school programs. Sometimes trying to get a healthy and plentiful snack while on the go can be difficult. FitJoy Protein Bars are something that everyone in the family will love. And they will keep them nourished during those in-between times, refuel their bodies after a long day at school and practice, or get them started on the right foot in the mornings.
FitJoy Protein Bars are grain-free, low-carb, and free from any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. They have 20 grams of protein and will help boost you or your child’s nutritional levels and keep them full throughout the morning or after those afternoon practices. This way no one in the family is reaching for unhealthy snacks or meals- everyone can have great tasting, delicious, and nutritious FitJoy Protein Bars instead. And with flavors like Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Grandma’s Lemon Square, and Cookie Dough Brownie you will be sure to find something everyone loves.
DAILY MOM READERS CAN GET 15% OFF FITJOY PROTEIN BARS WITH THE CODE DAILYMOM15
Healthy Sweet Snacks for After School
Peekaboo Ice Cream
Indulgent ice cream with hidden veggies in every bite – eating your veggies never tasted so good! With no neglect to flavor, Peekaboo sneaks a daily serving of veggies and is enriched with vitamins and minerals. Flavors include Vanilla with Hidden Zucchini, Cotton Candy with Hidden Beets, Mint Chocolate Chunk with Hidden Spinach, Strawberry with Hidden Carrots, and Chocolate with Hidden Cauliflower.
Duverge Macarons
Not only do these macarons look amazing, but they taste amazing too. With 20 different flavors there really is something for everyone! Kids and parents alike will enjoy these, even the little ones in the family. These macarons make a lovely and fabulous after school snack to fulfill everyone’s sweet tooth.
Theo Chocolate
Theo Chocolate strives to provide their customers with the best quality chocolate while making a difference. They work with farmers from all over the world to obtain premium quality ingredients. They offer organic, non-GMO verified, vegan, and kosher products. Whether you are in the mood for an old favorite such as a peanut butter cup or looking for an innovative and unexpected flavor like cinnamon horchata, Theo Chocolate will deliver your desire! The photo of the Big Daddy speaks for itself. How could you pass that up? Theo Chocolate offers gift collections as well as corporate and wedding gifts. Try the Spring Tea ganache. You will be delighted that you did!
Women’s Bean Project
Are you looking to make a difference when you shop for deliciousness? If so, you will want to browse the Women’s Bean Project online! This non-profit organization empowers women to break the poverty cycle and find success in life. If you are having a difficult time choosing which products to purchase (and you most likely will with the plethora of amazing choices Women’s Bean Project offers), try the sampler gift basket. The handcrafted bow adds to the overall uniqueness of this scrumptious basket. From sweet to spicy, there is something within this set that everyone in your family will enjoy! Another great choice is the breakfast gift bundle. The easy to follow directions result in scrumptious biscuits and scones. The Women’s Bean Project has you covered whether you are new to the kitchen or a seasoned chef!
Skinny Dipped
Back to school time means a little more calm in your day-to-day, but it also means picking up the chores that went by the wayside during summer- like packing healthy lunches and snacks. It is time to kick out the mundane, boring snacks and try for a little more fun and flavor with Skinny Dipped. Add a little love and sweetness to your lunches today.
Skinny Dipped offers a fun variety of almonds in different flavors to spice up your lunch box. They are high in protein but low in sugar and loved by all. Almonds are slow-roasted then dipped in ethically-sourced dark chocolate and sprinkled with flavors such as cocoa, espresso, pure raspberry, peanut butter, or mint.
Honey Stinger
Whether you are packing lunches or packing team snacks for after the game, honey stingers is sure to please every pallet with their healthy, energizing snacking options. Quality organic honey provides a great natural energy boost throughout the day and with Honey Stinger Organic Waffles or Energy Chews the ability to take this great snacking option on the go has never been easier. Available flavors include vanilla, gingerbread, strawberry, chocolate, lemon and more, letting everyone in the family, kids included, their daily dose of healthy honey.
Gaea
Filled with nutrients and healthy fat, this back-to-school season grab some at Gaea snack- and-go olives for both you and your child’s lunch boxes. Individual packs are portable and convenient, great for snacking on the go with no mess. Available in a variety of flavors, these heart healthy olives are perfect for this back-to-school season.
With these 23 healthiest back to school snacks, you will be on your way to healthy, delicious, and quick to pack lunches in no time. Your kids will leave lunch feeling full and fueled to continue their learning, which is especially important since a healthy diet filled with lean protein, vitamins, and minerals is so essential to brain development.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out all of our back to school guides here.
