11 Best Clean Snacks for Kids
I've made a conscious effort to improve our eating at home and finding the best clean snacks has been a huge part of it. We started working with a health coach in the fall, and she's been immensely helpful.
Also, finding the right places to order helps, too! I became a Thrive Market member and instantly fell in love. They have a great system for one-off or auto shipments with tons of clean brands. You can use my Thrive Market code for 40% off your first order. I also find many of the brands on Amazon, too.
When it comes to feeding our little ones, finding the best clean snacks for kids can be a challenge. I've found a delicious list of clean eating snacks that go beyond the stereotypical rice cake.
My healthy snack ideas Parents want to offer nutritious, delicious, and easy ideas that kids will love. Here are some great ideas that incorporate whole foods, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense foods, so you can encourage healthy eating habits from an early age.
Today, there's so much more awareness around junk food and high sugar foods. It's certainly a privilege to be able to opt out of unhealthy snacks, and that's not lost on me. I've prioritized it with my family because wholesome ingredients are important to me.
Cerebelly Smart Bars
Emmie has always been a fan of Cerebelly Smart Bars, which she affectionately calls Peppa Pig Bars. We used to buy them at Whole Foods, but I found I can easily get them delivered with Thrive Market. They're also available on Amazon. I love that they taste great, but are no sugar added and have 15 brain-supporting nutrients.
Blake's Seed Based Rice Crispy Treats
While they're not allergen friendly, these treats are delicious! I'm hyper-conscious of allergies because we have a family member that we need to be super careful with. However, if you're not allergic to seeds or chickpeas, these taste like the rice crispy treats we loved from the '90s. The sprinkles on top are the perfect addition that it cues dessert, so it's always our special snack or dessert. I found them on Thrive Market, too.
YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks
I don't know who loves these more -- Emmie or me! I'm always sneaking packs of them, ha! These fruit snacks are DELICIOUS!! They might be my favorite snack-go to when I'm snacking with the kids. We have the nanny share at our house weekly and go through so many snacks, so I order 3 packs for the month and have it on autoship to save 10% with Thrive Market.
BoomChickaPop
I'm late to the party here, but am OBSESSED with BoomChickaPop. I accidentally ordered this flavor and now it's my evening dessert. If you like desserts that are sweet and salty, you'll go crazy over this mix. I can only find it on Thrive Market, so use my code to get 40% off your first order if you try it.
NOKA Superfood Smoothies
Emmie LOVES this dried fruit. It's one of her go-to snacks. I'll warn you, the coloring stains their fingers a bit, so this is definitely a supervised snack. I try to be a cool mom, but am in constant panic I'll find red finger prints on the couch, ha! However, it's a great alternative to trying to get your kids to eat fruit. I order them from Thrive Market, but they're available on Amazon, too!
CHOMPS Grass-fed Beef Sticks
We love beef sticks in our house and CHOMPS is known to be a cleaner brand. We've tried lots of brands that we liked, but when I made my list of the best clean snacks, CHOMPS was at the top of the list. I order them from... you guessed it... Thrive Market mainly because I love to get a discount with an autoship order.
8. JanaBanana Plant Based Bar with Coconut
A friend got us a snack box when Archie was born and these bars were in it. Matt and I were instant fans. We actually keep our own snack jar on the counter so that our home offices are stocked with snacks and we don't have to interrupt the nanny share to grab a bite. These bars are also on Amazon in a bulk pack. They taste like a banana version of a Larabar.
9. FreeYumm Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh are these cookies GOOD! I decided to try the brand in hopes of finding a clean dessert cookie, and I'm a big fan. These cookies are also allergy friendly, which is great. They'd make a really great treat for a kids class or after soccer games. I order a box of 3 on Amazon, and I'd say we easily go through one box a week.
10. Nature's Bandits Organic Fruit & Veggie Stix
These are a must-have! I don't know about you, but I struggle to get Emmie to eat her vegetables, and I'm getting to the point where sneaking them is best. When I think about the best clean snacks, Nature's Bandits is at the top of my list. They're allergen friendly, delicious and every bag provides one serving of fruits and vegetables. I've only been able to find them on Amazon so far.
11. Artisan Tropic Plantain Strips
I have replaced all of my chips eating with plantain chips and so far so good! These chips are absolutely delicious. I have them with a sandwich at lunch occasionally and get them from Amazon, too. They're a little pricey, so I don't order them regularly, but they are good! Since Thrive Market also has plantain chips, I've used those as my go-to.
My goal is to really clean up our meals next, but finally finding the best clean snacks feels good!
You can use my Thrive Market Code to get 40% off your first order!
Incorporating healthy snack foods into children’s diets is crucial for fostering a healthy lifestyle and preventing childhood obesity. For older children and young athletes, whole grain crackers paired with cottage cheese or a cheese slice can be a great source of protein.
Offering a hard-boiled egg, sweet potato chips, or low-fat yogurt as an after-school snack provides essential nutrients without the added sugars found in sugary cereals and chocolate candies.
Low-fat milk and whole-grain cereals make for healthy breakfasts that are packed with important vitamins and minerals like vitamin C.
Storing cookies and sweet treats in moderation and opting for homemade snacks made with olive oil can help reduce the intake of corn syrup and other unhealthy ingredients.
Encouraging children to make their own trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and whole grain cereals is a fun way to involve them in healthy eating.
Pediatric dietitians and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend limiting juice boxes and instead offering water or low-fat milk to avoid tooth decay.
For little kids, simple snacks like red meat alternatives, refried beans, and low-fat yogurt are good ideas.
Older children might enjoy more sophisticated options like feta cheese on whole grain crackers. Incorporating these healthy snack choices is the easiest way to ensure children get the best bet for a nutritious diet.
Reading the ingredients list and understanding marketing efforts can help parents make informed decisions. By providing healthy snacks, parents give their children a great opportunity to develop a lifelong habit of healthy eating.
