Need healthy snack ideas for DD to take to school

**imagine** · 08-10-2010, 05:58 PM

I need healthy ideas for snacks. What are some healthy easy to eat while working school snacks?

If you want to read the longer version of my question with many more question then continue.

Lunch will be about 6 hours after she eats breakfast. SO the teacher allows snacks to be brought to school.

Healthy ones ( no cookies, candy ,cake) she said.
THey should be easy to eat while working. She gave orranges since they would have to peel them as a no bring item.

Some she suggested are:
gronola bars, - I'm trying to stay away from very sugar filled snacks or ones high in fat Little Miss doesn't need to grow out at the time being just up.

easy to eat fruit, - what would these be and how would I keep them fresh?

fruit snakcs, - a no go here. THey are considered candy in our house and are treats not snacks

cheeze -its, - I'm on the fence about these as a snack are they a good choice

or crackers - plain ones? Not sure that would go over. any odeas for healthy crackers.

I was also wondering should she have a bit of protien with the snack? and if so what. cheese is out and I think meat would be too.?

and what containers would work for keeping snakcs fresh and easily eatable.

They are also allowed water bottles on their desk at all times. She will also take this to lunch ( since she can't have the milk with her lunch)

**ncarr** · 08-10-2010, 06:14 PM

here is a list of my go to no refrigeration necessary snacks:
-baby carrots
-apple slices
-unsalted nuts- I'm partial to almonds
-Nature's Valley oats and honey granola bars

I keep things in the rubbermade containers that can be washed.

**Neeley** · 08-10-2010, 06:16 PM

Grapes are easy, easy. DS takes them all of the time for the time after school and before football.

DD loves individually wrapped cheese sticks (like the ones made by Polly-O). She takes these to eat everyday during her morning break.

Goldfish are good, too. I usually get the Wal-Mart brand, Whales.

**Contrary Housewife** · 08-10-2010, 06:18 PM

Granola bars: you can make your own where you control how much and what kind of sugar goes into them. "Breakfast cookies" are a similar kind of thing, typically softer than what we are used to calling a granola bar, but the same idea as far as fruit and whole grains goes.

Easy fruit: how about grapes? Can she handle a whole small apple? Carrot and celery sticks?

I would not consider cheezits a 'healthful' snack, but a handful (20 pcs or less) might be an occasional treat.

Plain wheat crackers might go over better with a little cup of peanut butter to dip them in. That would provide protein.

Nuts, if they are allowed (some schools have allergy concerns).

When I pack for DH I like to use the cheap re-usable containers the supermarket has, the ones with blue lids. They are sturdy enough to last a while, but cheap enough that if they get lost or destroyed it's not a great loss. They make a couple small sizes that are perfect for snacks.

**imagine** · 08-10-2010, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Granola bars: you can make your own where you control how much and what kind of sugar goes into them. "Breakfast cookies" are a similar kind of thing, typically softer than what we are used to calling a granola bar, but the same idea as far as fruit and whole grains goes.

Easy fruit: how about grapes? Can she handle a whole small apple? Carrot and celery sticks?

I would not consider cheezits a 'healthful' snack, but a handful (20 pcs or less) might be an occasional treat.

Plain wheat crackers might go over better with a little cup of peanut butter to dip them in. That would provide protein.

Nuts, if they are allowed (some schools have allergy concerns).

When I pack for DH I like to use the cheap re-usable containers the supermarket has, the ones with blue lids. They are sturdy enough to last a while, but cheap enough that if they get lost or destroyed it's not a great loss. They make a couple small sizes that are perfect for snacks.

I had thought about breakfast cookies but I think they would not go over with the teacher as other students might think they could bring regular cookies. KWIM

Not sure if a dip would be a go with the teacher either. All the snacks she suggested like like reach in an nibble one handed snacks. Hum maybe a little peanutbutter spread thin on wheat crackers.

Yes she is in 4th grade she can handle grapes. She is thinking apples slices though will those go bad in just a blue lid container.
She is also thinking banana but I'm not sure how well she will realy eat it. would she need some protein with the fruit

What do you think of some dried fruit ( store bought I don't have a dehydrator, unsalted almonds, but what for grain?

**sunshine** · 08-10-2010, 06:56 PM

Homemade, multi grain bread and butter

popcorn

Cherrios or other dry cereal

Homemade trail mix

veggie "chips" made in the dehydrator (we like zucchini that is flavored with garlic, or tomato chips)

toasted raisin bread sticks

mini homemade muffins

**starsapphire** · 08-10-2010, 07:49 PM

Take a look at this recipe - you can adjust ingredients

Deliciously frugal chewy granola bars

you can peel oranges and break them into segments before packing them

apple slices can be dipped in pineapple or lemon juice to keep from turning brown

how about hard boiled eggs? (peeled ahead of time)

make your own trail mix

bagel & cream cheese or tortilla smeared with cream cheese and you can mix & match flavored cream cheeses with sliced fruits/vegetables - roll it up

**McD** · 08-10-2010, 07:57 PM

What about fruit leather? This article details the Target ones: Archer Farms Organic 100% Real Fruit Strips: A Perfect Snack - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Raisins? Goldfish Crackers? Pretzels? Even a dry granola style cereal? As you run low on these items you can mix the odds and ends together for a 'trail mix' type item.

**ladykemma2** · 08-11-2010, 07:17 AM

i take quarter or half sandwiches. carb snacks don't work for me. cheese cubes, string cheese, cubed meat.

**imagine** · 08-11-2010, 02:37 PM

Here is what we decided she will take the first day of school (tomorrow)

We made a customized trail mix
Here is our recipe
1/2 cup died pineapples
1 cup plain cheerio type cereal
2 cups corn chex type cereal
1/2 whole unsalted almonds

1/2 cup serving This fit perfectly in those cereal cups that were popular when my kids were toddlers/pre-school age ( our has a picture of tony the tiger on it)

103 calories
7.35 sugars
2.63 protein

Also told her she could try fruit like a banana or grapes or and apple. I just need a bit of some notice in the AM.

That is our start for healthy mid morning school snacks. We will make adjustments as needed

Thanks everyone!

Anyone know the nutritional info on homemade granola bars? How about store bought ones?

**druthb00** · 08-11-2010, 03:06 PM

I was at WalMart a week or two ago and saw these really cool looking lunch/snack containers where they put the reusable water bottles/thermos's (sp? lol)/etc. They're called StayFit food storage. The only way I can find them on the website is in a great big package of multiple containers for about $25. But I saw them piece by piece at the store starting at around $4 or $5 I think.

From WalMart's site:

"Stay Fit Food Storage using Cool Gears E-Z Freeze technology for the best products for the On-The-Go Consumer!"

* Product is made specifically for the On the Go consumer.
* Today's Economy is dictating for need for product to preserve and protect food products for those who enjoy home cooked meals at work, school, or play.
* Cool Gear's patented Freezer Gel compartments allow the food product to be kept in a chilled environment until use, depending on actual storage.

Some of the grammar is a bit sketchy but I'm sure you get the idea lol. The lids have some sort of freezable gel packs on/in them that keep whatever is in the container cool.

Anyway, some of the smaller ones might be good for keeping cut fruit cooler/fresher. And I see one that's got a little dip container in the center.

**tervsforme** · 08-11-2010, 03:42 PM

The deliciously frugal granola bars from this site are really good. I change the ingredients all the time and usually use peanut butter instead of all of the butter.

The trail mix is a great idea, you can change the ingredients at will, so it won't be the same thing over and over.

I also like the quartered sandwich idea. I ALWAYS keep a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread in my drawer at work. I cut it into 4 pieces and just eat a piece at a time if I get hungry. It usually lasts me 2 days, sometimes 3 and it's fine in a tupperware container.

Lots of great ideas!

**joyofsix** · 08-11-2010, 10:27 PM

My kids like:
string cheese or cheese cubes and triscuits
already made peanut butter crackers
1/2 peanut or sunflower butter sandwich
nuts or trail mix
tortilla with refrieds rolled up
all sorts of fruits pre-peeled or whole
homemade granola bars
1/2 pita&hummus
Obviously my kids like hearty snacks and like to eat.

**Palooka** · 08-11-2010, 11:45 PM

That trail mix sounds yummy.

Raisins and nuts
Dry cereal
Maybe a few crackers with a little peanut butter
what about a protein drink? Probably pricey though.

**Libby** · 08-11-2010, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by druthb00

I was at WalMart a week or two ago and saw these really cool looking lunch/snack containers where they put the reusable water bottles/thermos's (sp? lol)/etc. They're called StayFit food storage. The only way I can find them on the website is in a great big package of multiple containers for about $25. But I saw them piece by piece at the store starting at around $4 or $5 I think.

From WalMart's site:

"Stay Fit Food Storage using Cool Gears E-Z Freeze technology for the best products for the On-The-Go Consumer!"

* Product is made specifically for the On the Go consumer.
* Today's Economy is dictating for need for product to preserve and protect food products for those who enjoy home cooked meals at work, school, or play.
* Cool Gear's patented Freezer Gel compartments allow the food product to be kept in a chilled environment until use, depending on actual storage.

Some of the grammar is a bit sketchy but I'm sure you get the idea lol. The lids have some sort of freezable gel packs on/in them that keep whatever is in the container cool.

Anyway, some of the smaller ones might be good for keeping cut fruit cooler/fresher. And I see one that's got a little dip container in the center.

I've seen those at Home Sense (in Canada) for close to $10. Later on at walmart I found a similar more simplistic version for $5 but it has Disney characters on it - cars, toy story etc.

The lid has an indent for your sauces with a lid that has picture on it. You freeze the entire lid overnight before use the next day. The entire lid snaps onto the base which holds your dipping items. I hope that was clear enough to understand.

I chose the childs version to save $5. It's fun and really...who's gonna see your dip lid anyhow right?

I plan to use it for veggies with dip, fruit with youghurt to dip, tiny side salad, nacho's & salsa etc