Snack Attack! Never have those words had more meaning to me than since having two young kids. Little kids have an amazing ability to go from being completely disinterested in food to ravenous in what feels like seconds. We have been on the go a ton, and for smooth sailing when the moment strikes, I try to be prepared and keep a snack at the ready.
As a dietitian, I enjoy spending some extra time in the grocery aisles reading food labels and checking out new products, but as a mom, I try to think practically about what the kids will actually like and what makes sense for our routine. Keeping those things in mind here are a few of the criteria I aim to meet:
Snack food goals
- A short ingredient list of things that I can pronounce.
- Good source of something. Fill in the blank of what we may be coming up on short in during the rest of the day. Can I squeeze in a serving of fruit or more fiber, etc.
- Durable snacks. Something I can throw in our daypack or even maybe leave in the hot car for an hour and it will still hold up.
Here are a few of my current favorites:
Biena Roasted Chickpea Snacks- One snack-size pack of these guys packs nearly 25% of your daily goal for fiber plus 6 grams of protein! This is a great combination for sustained energy.
Nature’s All Foods Organic Freeze Dried Mango – These are not only delicious but when you flip over the package and check out the ingredient list all you will see is mangos. Love that!
Trader Joe’s Just a Handful of Simply Almonds, Cashews and Cranberries Trek Mix- I love that these pre-portioned little bags are so easy to grab on the way out the door, hold up well to whatever the day brings and everyone can have their own so no flights about who had more.
You’ve got your snacks down. But if you want to try a little healthy baking, check out these banana-bean muffins. Simple, delicious, and healthy!
About the Author
I’m Hailey, a Boston area Registered Dietitian, mom of two and wife. I am passionate about the power of food, from what it can do to prevent and treat disease to how it can bring people together. I have a diverse clinical background with over 10 years of experience dedicated to helping individuals live healthier lives. No matter where you are on your journey my goal is to provide education and support while helping you set gradual and sustainable lifestyle changes that put you on the path to better health.