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Healthy Snacks for Kids to Share at School

When I was little, we could bring absolutely anything to school for snacks and birthdays. It didn’t matter what was in it, whether the ingredients were healthy or if it was made at home. We brought whatever we wanted and nobody raised a fuss. The teachers knew if a particular child had special dietary needs and would switch the treat out for something different.

Nowadays, things are different. With the public at large being more health conscious, schools are growing more particular about what can be shared for snacks and treats on special occasions. It’s a great idea, but can make purchasing large quantities of goodies that are still fun and yummy a bit harder.

There are certain guidelines at my son’s school that present limitations as to what we can send. We’re not allowed to send anything which may contain peanuts, has to be microwaved, was prepared at home and is a sugary treat (except for birthdays). I don’t have a problem with any of these restrictions, because they’re set for the safety and protection of the students, but it does make the snack-sending a little trickier.

I’ve compiled a list of simple snacks that can be sent for large groups of kids, and will hopefully help you out if you’re on the same boat.

Fruit cups. Since it’s a lot of work for one teacher to chop up enough apples or peel enough oranges for an entire class, fruit cups, packed in juice, are a tasty and healthy treat that require minimal setup.

Bagged popcorn. While the teacher can’t leave the classroom to pop a bunch of microwave popcorn, bagged, pre-popped popcorn is a good alternative.

Cheese and crackers. Most stores carry prepackaged cheese sticks, cubes or cracker-sized, individually wrapped slices. Pair them with a box of Ritz crackers and you have yourself a healthy, hearty snack.

Individual cracker sandwich packages. These come in a variety of flavors, just avoid anything with nut butters.

Goldfish crackers, Teddy Grahams or Animal Crackers. These will satisfy little palates and tummies between meals, plus they’re fun to eat.

Fruit snacks. Check the box for sugar content. Some varieties are made with real fruit and actually have nutritional value, rather than just being cleverly packaged candy.

Sending snacks to school may be a tad trickier nowadays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives to cupcakes and candy bars. If you take a look at the packaging and think of the snack in terms of what you’d want your child to eat at home, there really are a lot of delicious treats that your kids can share with their classmates.

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Babies & Kids Blog

Healthy Pregnancy Snacks to Get You Through Work

During all three of my pregnancies, I was still working outside of the home. While most of my work took place in one centralized location, I did occasionally have to travel away from my office for day trips. One of the biggest challenges of balancing being pregnant and having an active job was finding the time to grab healthy snacks between meals.

Keeping your body healthy during pregnancy is of the utmost importance and proper nutrition is a major component. Not only are you giving your baby the nutrients he or she needs to grow properly, you’re also fueling your body, so it can meet everyday demands while creating and sustaining a whole other little life. That’s big business, so you need to choose your food well and get the most out of it that you possibly can. That’s why you need to snack between meals and make sure the choices you’re making are healthy.

This brings us back to my earlier dilemma…fitting nutritious and satisfying snacks into an active daily life, especially at the office or when you’re out and about. Sure, vending machines offer plenty of snack but, let’s get serious, those tummy tamers are usually loaded with a whole lot of nothing good. Eating a candy bar might curb a craving, but does little for your baby and will give you a short sugar rush and then nice, long crash afterward.

Instead of searching for a quick bite of anything while you’re at the office or running errands, toss one of these healthy snacks into your purse or desk drawer. They’ll keep your energy up and your tiny tag-along will enjoy all the vitamins and nutrients.

1. Fruit. Apples, pears, bananas and oranges all travel well and require no prep. Wash them up at home, put them in a storage baggy and take them wherever you go.

2. Nuts. Nuts are great sources of protein and will give you an even boost in energy. Try almonds and pecans. They’re tasty, healthy and also travel well in a storage bag.

3. Veggies and dips. Cut up some celery or grab some prepackaged baby carrots and bring along an individual sized dip. There are several kinds available at most grocery stores.

4. Crackers. You can buy small packages of whole grain crackers or put some in a storage container. They’re a tasty source of fiber and will help with mild morning sickness.

5. Trail Mix. Trail mixes are awesome, because they usually have a good mix of nuts and dried fruit. They travel well and can conquer a sweet craving like nobody’s business.

Snacking while you’re pregnant is a great way to supplement your diet and keep you feeling healthy and energized, especially if you choose foods that are packed with protein and nutrients. Just because you’re away from your fridge, doesn’t mean you’re away from delicious, filling snacks that are good for you and your baby.