Around here, school has already started in several districts. I know for others, school won’t start for a few more weeks. Thinking about healthy, gluten free snacks that kids will enjoy can be a challenge, especially real food snacks.
Being gluten free makes packing snacks an extra challenge. We have to be more prepared. I like to keep a small lunch box with a huge ice pack in it with fresh snacks to keep on hand. I’m not a fan of overly processed, nutrient deficient, and often plain tasting gluten free packaged foods. We have found a couple of brands of crackers and cereals that we do like and I keep them on hand because they do not spoil. This has been a life-saver when the kids get hungry and I wasn’t prepared.
Having variety is also important for our young ones. Giving them options not only empowers them to make choices, it helps develop their pallet into enjoying and desiring real foods. I have compiled a list of 48 snacks that are perfect for on the go, school, and a few that are better off ate at home.
On the Go and School:
- apples
- oranges
- peaches
- nectarines
- bananas
- grapes
- berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc)
- melon cubes
- raisins
- dried mango (unsweetened)
- banana chips
- dried apricots
- dried apple rings (unsweetened)
- fruit leathers (100% fruit
)
- seasonal raw veggies including: green beans, sugar snap peas, bell pepper sticks, broccoli and cauliflower (optional: bring along a dipping sauce like hummus, ranch or mayo)
- carrot sticks
- cucumber slices
- celery sticks
- jicama sticks
- Squeezum’s (fruits and veggies in those to-go bags
)
- yogurt tubes
- cheese cubes (full-fat)
- Gluten free jerky
- Gluten free lunch meat (turkey, ham, chicken)
- Homemade chicken cubes (or turkey/steak/etc)
- hard boiled eggs
- pickles
- gluten free crackers (we love Mary’s Gone Crackers
)
- air popped popcorn
- olives
- almonds
- cashews
- pistachios
- sunflower seeds
- pepita seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- nut butters in individual packets (almond, peanut, sunflower seed, etc)
- gluten free banana bread muffins
- gluten free zucchini bread muffins
A Few More Better Left For Home: (at least for my kids)
- healthy jello
- green smoothies
- green smoothie popsicles
- fruit juice popsicles
- avocado slices
- kale chips
- bowls of yogurt (instead of tubes)
- bowls of applesauce (instead of packets)
- cherries
Did I miss anything? I would love to hear from you and what your favorite gluten free or allergen free healthy snacks are for you and your family!
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