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!

Learn how to 100% gluten free easily from my years of experience and research with my 12 day online course Thrive Gluten Free. Click here to learn more.