It’s that time of year when backpacks abound, school buses lurk around every corner, and the alarm is going off way too early, reminding us all that summer is over. The hustle and bustle of Back to School can be quite overwhelming, and what’s more is trying to stay healthy throughout the season – especially once everyone starts pumpkin spicing everything! We thought it would be fun to share some healthy snack ideas to help us move into the school year with a good start.
Chips! Every kid loves chips. But with all the additives, MSG and sugar to name the top culprits, it’s hard to toss that bag into your child’s lunch box without hesitation. Not to worry! Prepared in advance, our pizza crusts make for a delicious snack without having to do anything to it but cook and cut. Slice the crust into triangles like you would a tortilla and crisp them in the oven for a great chip alternative that’s not only tasty, but filling.
Celery and Almond Butter is a classic rendition of a healthy snack turned healthier. Celery is of course a great snack by itself, but sometimes needs a little help in the flavor department. Peanut butter is often times not the best go-to but the most prominent practice because of tradition. The problem is that peanut butter can be packed with sugar, corn syrup, and who knows what else? Almond butter is naturally sweet, a great source of vitamins and protein, and carries the good fats for brain performance.
Kabob because, well, it’s fun. Sometimes kids just need a different take on the "same old" to get into it. Try making a fruit and cheese kabob. It’s really the same apple or pear that goes rotting on the counter at home, but if it’s in the form of a small challenge that happens to be fun to take apart, it might just end up ingested!
Avocado Toast seems to be taking the world by storm, and for good reason. Avocados are undoubtedly one of the best foods for health, providing the protein and fat necessary for optimal brain functionality. While it’s probably not something you want to send with your kid to school with, it’s a great alternative breakfast to the usual sweets. PS – have we mentioned how well our crust works for avocado toast? It’s ridiculously good. Check out a simple recipe here!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds may be one of the most underrated snacks in the snack-o-sphere. Pumpkin seeds are packed with magnesium, protein, zinc, and are high in antioxidants. They have way more flavor than a sunflower seed and are nearly twice as big. Plus, these things could keep your kids busy for hours trying to figure out the most efficient way to pop them open. They’re easy to make too! There are many different ways but they all come down to salting and cooking. Here’s a great recipe to try, just use pink Himalayan or sea salt and you’ve got a mineral power pod to pop in your mouth. You were going to throw them away at pumpkin carving time anyway, right?
We hope some of these ideas make you and your kids’ life easy and tasty. Let us know what your favorite Back to School snack is in the comments below!