It’s pretty much the parenting dream to make lunch box packing as easy as possible, right? Between getting them dressed, finding shoes, brushing teeth (did they really? Better go back and check.), there’s more than enough to occupy your weekday mornings. Who wants to spend any time stressing over what school snacks to add to their lunches?
Skip the lunch box panic with our school snack picks. Not only are they all available on Amazon, but we’ve done the leg work for you and made sure to find better-for-them options that you can feel good about tossing into their backpacks. They’re also super convenient, so no chopping, slicing, or dicing needed. Read on for our picks! *Please note that some products listed may contain allergens and/or may be restricted by your child’s school or classroom. Please review any school communication with regard to accepted food items and contact your administration for additional information.
Nature’s Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars
Non-GMO and made with real whole wheat, these soft-baked bars are an easy go-to. They come in 6 real-fruit varieties, too.
Whether you have a picky eater on your hands or not (you lucky duck), Else Ready-to-Drink Nutrition Shakes are a must for a healthy breakfast before school or an after-school snack. Dairy- and soy-free, these ultra-yummy shakes are packed with protein, gluten-free carbs, healthy fats, and 25 essential nutrients kids need. Have a kiddo who spends more time talking than eating at school? These shakes are also a great way to make sure they're still getting solid sips of the good stuff. Available in Vanilla and Chocolate.
Adding Whisps to kids' lunches those crunchy cravings while providing some protein-packed brain food that kids need. Whisps are gluten-free, keto-friendly cheese crisps that are a good source of protein and made with one ingredient: 100% cheese. Swap out the chips and go for one of their 7 cheesy choices.
Made from whole organic fruit, picked at its peak and then crafted into deliciously portable strips, this jerky has no sugars, no preservatives and no concentrates. Just the 1, 2 or 3 whole ingredients in kid-friendly flavors like Mango, Pineapple, and Banana.
Every kid loves a mini muffin, but they're not always the best option. Bobo's Oat Bites taste more like dessert than a snack (score!), but with whole grain oats and coconut oil as the first few ingredients, they're a feel-better snack. Bobo's also offers bars, bites, protein bars, and more.
Protein is the name of the game when it comes to smart snacks, so these mini jerky sticks from Chomps are a great option. Grass-fed beef, turkey raised without antibiotics or hormones, Chomps have no sugar, no added nitrates or nitrites, and are free of 9 of the top allergens. They come in a bunch of different flavors, too.
Potato chips are a classic lunch box favorite, but you can skip the greasy fingers with Popchips. They're not deep fried, so they're a lot lighter and a better-for-you pick. Plus, they come in BBQ, Sea Salt, Sour Cream & Onion, Nacho, Salt & Vinegar, & Sweet Heat, so you'll find a flavor for every kid.
We know candy isn't an everyday go-to, but a surprise treat in their lunch box is always welcome. UNREAL offers simple, organic, non-GMO treats with up to 51% less sugar than leading brands. They're also sugar alcohol- and corn syrup-free, using fair trade and sustainably-sourced ingredients.
Made with no peanuts, no tree nuts, and gluten free, these school-friendly* KIND Kids Bars are packed with 5g of protein and come in Blueberry Muffin and Chocolate Chip varieties. (*You'll still want to double check with your school to make sure that these bars meet school requirements, just to be safe.)
These high-protein jerky sticks for kids from The New Primal are naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and come in kid-inspired flavors, like these Chicken & Maple Sticks.
With 40 fruits and vegetables in each weekly box of Sippers, these 100% raw, all-natural daily fruit and vegetable juices are free from added sugars, juice concentrates, and artificial additives. They're a great lunch box addition, and are available in both 4- and 8-week options. *Note: Raw Generation Kids Sippers need to be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours after defrosting.
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