Follow

Snack time at our house usually goes something a little like this…

Kid: “Mom, can I have a snack?”

Me: *Cringe* “Um…sure honey, what would you like?”

Kid: “I don’t know. How about a banana?”

Me: “OK” *Gives kid Banana*

Kid: *Finishes Banana* “Mom, I’m still hungry.”

And, the vicious cycle begins again.

Am I the only one that has this problem?

I really don’t like to load my kids up on fruit, especially high glycemic fruits.  Sure, it may be a little better than loading my kids up on goldfish crackers and wheat thins, but it can still send their blood sugar out of control (not good).  Plus, an overload of fruit doesn’t satisfy (fat should do that).  They keep coming back for more!  My kids are 5, 3, & 1 and you would think that there are 3 teenage boys living at my house (and I only have 1 boy) by the way my sweet pumpkins eat.  Some fruit, some of the time is ok, but adding a little variety of  snacks with fat and protein in them can be really helpful in regulating blood sugar levels.

For us, processed foods are just out of the question.  I rarely even buy premade crackers unless I’m in a real pinch, and even then I try to go with crackers that have very few ingredients.  Whole food, properly prepared snacks are ideal for optimal nutrition.  This  means that if I do eat grains or nuts I’d like them to be soaked or sprouted, and organic fruits and veggies are desirable if we are eating produce.  And, if we end up eating any dairy I try my hardest to have raw dairy for us as much as possible.

I know that all of us parents want to do the best that we can by feeding our little ones what will not only make them healthy and strong, but possibly our future grandchildren healthy and strong too!  Yup, you can for sure change a family tree by feeding your children healthy food.  Hopefully, they won’t ever have the health problems that you or your parents may have.  Let’s just nip that in the bud right now, shall we?

So, here is a resource for every mama that has ever uttered, “I really want to give my kids healthy snacks, but I just don’t know what to give them.”

Hallelujah!  Keep this reference handy!

Homemade Gummy Snacks, Jello & Fruit Leathers {Allergen friendly}

Fruit & Veggie Gummy Snacks from Live Simply
Sour Gummy Stars from Mommpotamus
Homemade Orange Gummies from Hollywood Homestead
Healthy Sour Kiwi Gummies from Happy Health Nut
Homemade Fruit Snacks from Untrained Housewife
Kombucha Fruit Gummies From Real Food RN
Strawberry Lemonade Gummies from Hollywood Homestead
Real Fruit Snacks from Real Food RN
Cultured Fruit Leather from Mamma & Baby Love
Homemade Fruit Leather with Applesauce from Green Boot Living
Homemade Grape Jello from Girl Meets Nourishment
Homemade Jello Fruit Cups from Real Food RN

Healthy Muffins & Cookies

Sprouted Grain Whole Wheat Chocolate Banana Muffins from Live Simply
Silky Banana Bread Bites from 20 Something Allergies {Grain-free, Egg-Free}
Grain Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Intentionally Domestic
Grain Free Banana Nut Muffins from Real Food Whole Health
Paleo Monkey Bars from The Paleo Mom (Oh my, yum!) {Grain Free}
Dark Chocolate Salted Truffle Cookies from The Paleo Parents {Grain free, egg free, nut free}
Paleo Raspberry Pop Tarts {Grain free and Egg Free} from A Girl Worth Saving

Snazzy Fruit & Veggies {Allergen friendly} 

Eat the Rainbow Fruit Kabobs from Mindful Meals
Waffle Apple Slices with Almond Butter and Coconut from Zest and Zeal
Bananas with Peanut Butter from A Life in Balance
Winter Fruit Salad from Zest and Zeal
Homemade Banana Chips from This Tree of Life
Easy Cinnamon Apples from Real Food Whole Health
Chocolate Apricots from Real Food RN
Beet Chips from Live Simply
Sweet Potato Chips from The Paleo Mom
Fermented Carrot Sticks from Real Food RN
Chocolate Avocado Pudding {Dairy-free and Grain-free} from Girl Meets Nourishment
Chocolate Pudding Pops from Completely Nourished
Baked Sweet Potato Tots from Real Food RN
Kale Chips from Whole New Mom

Sweet Bites

Cranberry Date Lara Bars from Live Simply
Raw Brownie Bites from Live Simply
Fruit and Nut Energy Bites from Natural Family Today
Easy Chocolate Pudding from Real Food Whole Health
Chocolate Date Squares from The Paleo Mom
Cinnamon Raisin (not) Rice Pudding from The Paleo Parents

Yummy Nuts, Seeds & Legumes

Maple Salted Pecans from Healing and Eating
Roasted Chickpeas from Intentionally Domestic
Savory Hummus from Whole New Mom
Nourishing Nut Butter and Jelly Snacks from Rooted Blessings
Pineapple/Coconut Trail Mix from FitBomb
Nut-Free Paleo Chewy Granola Bars from The Paleo Mom

Popcorn

Chocolate Coconut Popcorn from Untrained Housewife
Sweet and Salty Popcorn from Completely Nourished

Savory Snacks {Allergen Friendly}

Crocodile Nuggets from Intentionally Domestic
Stuffed Eggplant Rolls from Untrained Housewife
Cheese Crackers from Health Bent
Real Sticks Beef Jerky from Vermont Smoke and Cure (A Rooted Blessings Family Favorite)

Other Resources:

9 Time and Money Saving Tips for Making Kids Snacks from Healing Cuisine
Healthy Kid Snack Ideas from Healing Cusine
Snack Ideas from Family Gone Healthy
16 Healthy Snack Ideas for Young Kids from Family Gone Healthy
Healthy Snacks for Kids While Traveling from Untrained Housewife
4 Healthy Afternoon Snacks from The Organic Kitchen
100 Gluten Free Snack Ideas *Free Printable* from The Chaos and the Clutter
How to Teach Kids to Eat: A Baby Step Approach from Kitchen Stewardship
85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults) from 100 Days of Real Food
An Elementary School Snack List *Free Printable* from 100 Days of Real Food
“Whole Food” Snacks for Kids and Adults from 100 Days of Real Food
Two Real Food Store Bought Snacks from 100 Days of Real Food

Follow