It’s never too early to start introducing healthy eating habits to kids, but the trick is to find some meals and snacks that are both nutritious and appealing to them. However, introducing kids to a variety of food groups, tastes, and textures from the start can help them adapt to eating healthy, yummy foods that include essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when it comes to preparing your child’s packed school lunch. If you’re looking for some inspiration when it comes to healthy lunchbox snacks, here are 10 foolproof and nutritious ideas to get you started.
Table of Contents
- BUILT Bars and Puffs: Kid-Friendly Protein Snacks
- Apple Slices with Nut or Seed Butter
- Veggie Sticks and Hummus Cups
- Greek Yogurt Parfaits
- Whole-Grain Crackers with Cheese Cubes
- Energy Bites or Homemade Protein Balls
- Hard-Boiled Eggs and Fruit
- Trail Mix (Kid-Friendly Edition)
- Mini Sandwiches or Wraps
- Frozen Grapes or Fruit Kabobs
1. BUILT Bars and Puffs: Kid-Friendly Protein Snacks
Protein is an important nutrient that helps kids grow and develop, both mentally and physically. A protein-rich snack, like a BUILT Bar, is a tasty way to make sure that they are getting the nutrition they need at snack time.
BUILT Bars are soft and chewy, almost like a marshmallow, and covered in a tasty chocolate coating, so they taste like a treat to kids (and adults!). However, they are filled with clean protein that sustains energy throughout the day, which is perfect for active kids.
When you’re packing lunch and snacks, you also want to think about mess and cleanup. BUILT Bars are individually wrapped for perfect portioning and packing, and leave no mess behind. There are a variety of flavors to try, so grab a variety pack so your child can discover their favorite.
2. Apple Slices With Nut or Seed Butter
One classic snack that you can never go wrong with is apple slices with either nut or seed butter. There are so many varieties of apples, so you can switch it up depending on your child’s preferred taste and texture. Whichever one you choose will be packed with satiating fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that are good for both cardiovascular and gut health.
Pair the apple slices with a nut or allergy-friendly seed butter to make it a more complete snack. Nut and seed butters have healthy fats, protein, and a taste that kids love, so they’re sure to gobble them down. You can even add mini chocolate chips or granola to the nut butter to give it more texture and sweetness.
Tip: The healthiest nut and seed butters are minimally processed and contain no added sugars. Try adding natural nut or seed butters to your child’s lunch box snacks and see if they like them.
3. Veggie Sticks and Hummus Cups
Did you know that most kids are more receptive to trying raw veggies than cooked ones? There are a few reasons for this, but one reason is that kids can pick them up with their hands as finger foods, and they’re cool to the touch. They’re a fun finger food that can be cut into different sizes and shapes. In fact, you can get your kids involved when preparing snacks and have them safely try cutting things with vegetable cutters that turn veggies into fun shapes, like hearts, stars, and flowers.
You can try any number of veggies, like carrot sticks, bell peppers, and celery, and pair them with protein and fiber-packed hummus. It’s a great plant-based snack that’s tasty and balanced.
4. Greek Yogurt Parfaits
A Greek yogurt parfait is a snack that feels like a treat or dessert but is actually quite nutritious. Layer plain Greek yogurt in a container with toppings like berries, granola, and honey for some fiber, crunch, and sweetness, and you’ve got a well-rounded snack that’s kid-approved.
Greek yogurt is high in calcium and probiotics that support bone and gut health. It also packs in more protein than regular yogurt, so you get more nutritional bang for your buck. You can try different combinations of fruits and cereals in your parfaits to make things interesting.
5. Whole-Grain Crackers With Cheese Cubes
Cheese and crackers are a snack combo that’s a hit with both kids and adults alike. As mentioned before, getting kids involved in preparing their food and giving them some choice makes them more interested in eating healthy food and forms good eating habits. At the supermarket, you can ask your child what kind of cheese they would like to try. Later on at home, you can help them cut it into fun shapes or bite-sized pieces that they will look forward to seeing in their lunchbox.
Choose whole-grain or seed-based crackers that have extra fiber. Along with the protein and fat from the cheese, this winning combination covers all the necessary macronutrients and will keep your kiddo full and energized.
6. Energy Bites or Homemade Protein Balls
Energy bites and protein balls are a great snack for kids because they are simple to make and easy to customize for even the pickiest of eaters. All you have to do is pour oats, honey, nut butter, and chocolate chips into a bowl and stir to combine. Once everything is mixed together, form the mixture into bite-sized balls and then pop them in the fridge to chill and form.
You can swap out the ingredients for what you have on hand or what your child prefers. Try using different nut or seed butters, swap milk for dark chocolate chips, or even maple syrup for honey. Your child can help you make the protein balls, which will get them excited to eat them later on. There’s a lot of room for variety here, so you and your child can have fun trying different ingredients and combinations until you find the perfect one.
7. Hard-Boiled Eggs and Fruit
Hard-boiled eggs and fruit are a simple, portable snack that has a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Eggs are a protein powerhouse and are pretty mess-free once they’re boiled, which makes them an easy finger food for kids to handle. You can send them whole, or cut them into pieces if you think that would be easier for your child to eat.
Eggs go great with any fruit, but apple slices, orange wedges, and grapes are always lunchtime favorites. Again, they’re easy for kids of most ages to eat with little mess, and they’re simple to pack up. However, letting your child choose their fruit is another way to ensure that they’ll eat it and gives them a nice feeling of autonomy. All fruit is a great source of healthy fiber and contains antioxidants and vitamins for growth and development.
The pairing of eggs and fruit has a good balance of macronutrients and will keep your active child’s energy sustained all throughout the day.
8. Trail Mix (Kid-Friendly Edition)
Trail mix can be a really healthy and satiating snack, but some store-bought versions have salty nuts, sugary candies, and other ingredients that might not be the healthiest choices for your little one. Making your own trail mix at home with a few simple ingredients is an easy way to create a kid-friendly snack that’s still nutritious.
Just like with the protein balls, you can tailor your trail mix to whatever you and your family like. As a base, choose a whole-grain cereal for some carbs and crunch. Add in roasted nuts or seeds, some pretzels, and some chocolate chips or raisins for sweetness. Mix it all together and you’ve got a healthy trail mix that’s way better than any store-bought brand.
Trail mix is easy to portion out and pack in reusable containers. Depending on how big a batch you make, you can have kid-friendly snacks on hand for the week to come. Best of all, the variety of ingredients will keep your child interested and encourage them to try more foods and flavors.
9. Mini Sandwiches or Wraps
Forget the basic sandwiches you remember from your lunchbox as a kid. Instead, try mini sandwiches on whole-grain buns that feel a little more fun and fancy for kids. You can try any number of healthy ingredients, like turkey, cheese, hummus, or avocado, along with some veggies, to create a snack that has a nice balance of carbs, fat, and protein.
You can also ditch the bread entirely and go for a wrap. Whole-wheat wraps offer a nice amount of fiber, but there are many healthy options out there to try. You can try the same ingredients as the sandwiches above, or go retro and add cream cheese to the wrap along with turkey, and cut them into pinwheels. The cute, kid-approved presentation will win your child over.
Either way, wraps and little sandwiches are pretty simple to prepare and pack, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to trying out different fillings and toppings.
10. Frozen Grapes or Fruit Kabobs
If your kid is always looking for something sweet at lunch or snack time, find new and creative ways to get them interested in the idea of fruit as a treat. Take grapes, for example. Your child has probably had grapes before, but bump things up a fun notch and pack frozen grapes in their next snack box. This change in texture and sensation will be totally new and exciting, and could even be reminiscent of a Popsicle or other frozen treat. Frozen grapes can also keep their lunchbox cool throughout the day, as a bonus!
Fruit kabobs are a refreshing and colorful addition to any lunchbox. Spear a combination of your child’s favorite fruits on a stick as a hydrating burst of sweetness for their snack time.
Find Out Why BUILT Bars Are Built for Snack Time
Packing your child a well-rounded snack and lunchbox can be a great introduction to healthy eating and snacking for your child, and letting them make some choices can ensure they actually eat what you pack. BUILT Bars are kid-friendly, protein-packed snacks that are mess-free and come in a variety of decadent flavors. Pick up your variety pack today, and you and your child can both discover your new favorite flavors!
FAQs
What are the best high-protein snacks for school?
High-protein snacks sustain energy throughout the day and help kids grow, develop, and maintain a healthy immune system. BUILT Bars, boiled eggs, pasta salads, yogurt, and string cheese or cheese cubes are all excellent sources of healthy protein for kids.
How do I make healthy snacks appealing to picky eaters?
Presentation can make all the difference when it comes to kids. Add in a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, and cut them into fun shapes they’ll be interested in. It also doesn’t hurt to find some cute containers that they’ll look forward to opening and discovering what’s inside.
Can kids eat BUILT Bars every day?
Yes, in moderation! BUILT Bars are high-protein snacks that are also low in sugar, which is perfect for active kids who need an easy, healthy snack.
How can I add more balance to lunchboxes?
When you pack school lunches and snacks, try to include items from different food groups for balance. Choose one protein, fruits and/or veggies, and a whole grain.
What snacks don’t need refrigeration?
Convenient snacks that don’t need refrigeration include BUILT Bars, trail mix, crackers, nuts, and dried fruit.
