75+ Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

Healthy Snack Inspiration

Everyone seems to have their own definition of “healthy.” I consider myself to be in the moderate range. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. I think it is okay to have treats every day. We eat processed foods and sugar every so often, but I do try to buy or make healthier versions when possible and when it works for me.

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I am not one that feeds kids only whole foods and I am not one that would give my kids Oreo cookies for a snack. And I am good with where I am at right now! So, this post is not really about what is right or wrong. It is more about giving you a helpful list of great ideas for snacks that are mostly good for you and your kids!

When the school requests a healthy snack for the class, I try to choose snacks that I think most people would consider to be healthy, but it also has to be food that the kids will actually eat and budget-friendly! Find coupons.

Healthy Snack Guideline Ideas

Some great things to look for in a snack:

• 100% whole grain
• made with no or little refined sweeteners
• no artificial sweeteners
• ingredients you can pronounce and recognize

Good snacks provide carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and some healthy fat, which may include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, seeds, dried fruit, and whole grain crackers.

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Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Ideas

There are tons of fruits and vegetables that are great healthy snacks! Plus, they are often safe for those with allergies. These are just some of my favorites, when season is right.

• Apple
• Banana
• Carrots
• Celery
• Pear
• Grapes
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Watermelon
• Plums
• Cherries
• Sliced Cucumber
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Edamame
• Olives
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli

Here’s a great tutorial about how to make the best veggie tray!

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More Fruity Snack Ideas

• Applesauce (no added sugar and all natural ingredients)
• GoGo Squeez Applesauce pouches
• Raisins
• Craisins
• Fruit leather
• Stretch Island Fruit Chews
• Homemade pear fruit leather
• Clif Kid Twisted Fruit Rope
• Dried mango slices
• Banana chips
• Homemade apple chips
• Brothers All Natural Crisps
• Freeze dried fruits
• Dried cherries
• Frozen grapes

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Whole Grain Snack Ideas

Whole grains include whole wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum, brown rice, wild rice, corn, buckwheat, amaranth, millet, teff, triticale, and quinoa. While 100% whole grain is best, I personally don’t mind if the snack is only part whole grain. I guess I feel like it is better than nothing. You can adjust the list according to your preference though.

• Triscuit crackers
  
• Popcorn (Cajun popcorn, DIY microwave popcorn)
• Shredded wheat
• Ritz with whole wheat
• Goldfish crackers with whole grain
• Brown rice cakes
• Whole grain crackers
• Whole grain cereal
• Whole grain waffles (whole grain pancake recipe, banana quinoa waffles)
• Whole wheat pretzels
• Whole wheat pita chips
• Homemade Power Bars
• Homemade granola bars (another granola bar recipe)
• Granola (homemade granola, more granola recipes)
• Clif Kid ZBars
• Homemade Saltine crackers
• Homemade Cheez-It crackers
• Homemade Whole Wheat Graham crackers

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More Snack Ideas

• String cheese
• Sliced or cubed cheese
• Pumpkin seeds
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Simply Go-gurt
• Greek yogurt
• Peanut butter or almond butter (homemade almond butter)
• Pistachios or other nuts
• Hummus
• Salsa (salsa recipes)
• Smoothies
• Larabar
• Kale chips

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Combine some of the healthy snacks above for more fun:

• Healthy trail mix
• Yogurt with fruit or granola
• Almond oat pumpkin cookies
• Spread peanut butter on celery
• Pumpkin Cuties
• No-bake chocolate granola bites
• Dip fruit in yogurt
• Veggie pita pizza
• Dip crackers in applesauce
• Tortilla Pinwheels
• Make snack kebabs
• Blueberry zucchini bread
• Waffles with peanut butter or applesauce
• PB&J Roll-ups
• Yogurt and banana on crackers
• PB&J Muffins
• Banana Blueberry Muffins
• Baked Oatmeal Muffins
• Banana Coconut Muffins

“Food impacts how well a child’s brain works, affecting their moods and abilities … In a child’s brain junk food can cause neurotransmitters, which pass along information, to function improperly. Smart foods, however, allow information to be processed correctly and help the child function at their optimal level.” – Dr. Sears

This list was inspired by EatRight.org, WholeGrainsCouncil.org, and 100 Days of Real Food.