Recently I have had a request to blog about what kind of snack foods I feed my kids. This is always a challenge, especially because most growing kids eat every 2-3 hours. It always seems like my kids are hungry every time I turn around. I have mentioned before that we have some food allergies and major food intolerance, so this poses an even bigger challenge. Again, Trader Joes is my favorite for finding gluten free foods at a very reasonable price. I know that the one in Nashville is not located close to everyone, but go there once a month and stock up! It seriously does save you money!
My oldest daughter is highly sensitive to processed sugar, like High Fructose Corn Syrup, and just plain ole white sugar, so I really try to buy things organic or make them myself with honey. The organic products still will have sugar in them, however it is usually most often evaporated can juice. This form of sugar actually still contains the natural minerals found in sugar in nature.
1.Amazon sells some suckers that I buy a huge bag of, its about 2 gallons worth for $30. These last me a LONG time and are a special treat! http://www.amazon.com/YummyEarth-Organic-Lollipops-Assorted-Flavors/dp/B000HDK0DC/ref=pd_ybh_19
2.Cheese sticks by Sargento are also a good source of protein, if no one is allergic to milk. My youngest daughter was allergic for 3 years, but now just seems to be sensitive to certain dairy products. The colby jack form of cheese she can handle much better than the mozzarella. Also if you want cheese from grass fed cows, Kerrygold makes a fabulous cheese. I have found it at the best price point at Sams. I have also seen it at Aldi recently as well.
3.Fruit, of all kinds! A good pair in my house is apples dipped in natural peanut butter. Almond butter is best for me as I am super sensitive to legumes. Make sure that you buy natural peanut butter where peanuts is the only ingredients. Organic is best, but often contains added sugar. Krema, is non-organic, but tastes amazing and I have found it at Kroger.
Cuties are great for kids, they have no seeds and are basically mandarin oranges in their natural form. I do buy canned mandarin oranges in the off season but only if they are in their own juice. No syrup!
4. Popcorn, I buy the organic kernels at Trader Joes (this is also non-GMO) and pop it on the stove top in coconut oil. I even pop this ahead of time and keep it in a zip lock bag for easy access. We do also have an air popper that my 7 year old can pop some corn for herself if she wants to. This version is even healthier!
5. Applesauce squeezers- again I buy these at Trader Joes. They have a carrot/apple one that the girls really like. I also get the strawberry /apple and plain apple too. Be sure to read labels, because not all squeezers are "clean".
6. Raw veggies- I make a ranch dip using plain greek yogurt and they enjoy dipping baby carrots and sugar snap peas. They also like cherry tomatoes and the seedless crispy baby cucumbers with a sprinkle of sea salt.
7. greek yogurt- chiobanni, makes a kid yougurt, called Champion. All of the flavors are good. My kids like the chocolate chip kind best and I let them eat it sometimes in place of icecream! I have only found this at Publix.
8. Keifer ice cream- Lifeway makes a delicious strawberry flavor. It seems expensive at first, but I think of it this way...its a special treat. We only eat it on occasion, so its the same as if you were taking your kids out for an ice cream treat. You would pay the same if not more.
9.Other ice cream treats- So Delicious makes some dairy free treats, and now they also have no sugar added treats as well. Again, the price seems steep, but these are special treats! If you took advantage of the Freebie I posted last week. That ebook listed many websites you could print off coupons for healthier and organic foods. Also if you shop at Kroger, using your plus card, they will send you custom coupons in the mail for items you buy most often.
10.Trail mix- I buy the raw nuts trek mix at Trader Joes because it is convenient. Otherwise you could mix some raw nuts, and dried fruit along with some unsweetened coconut chips and there you have a nice trail mix!
Read the post on my favorite things to link you up to some of my favorite blogs I get other kid friendly recipes from for breakfast items especially!
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