Simple tips for super snacking - healthy and delicious bites for kids on the go and at home

Ideas for delicious snacks for your kids

Does this sound familiar? “You can’t have those snacks at home– those are ‘on the go’ snacks!” Or perhaps you’ve said this once or twice? “If you want a ‘fruit snack’, eat a piece of fruit!” These frequent exchanges highlight the two main mistakes I’ve made since our kids have become serial snackers:

1. I fell victim to those cute, convenient and exorbitantly priced single serve packages of pretty much everything. Raisins. Applesauce.Goldfish. You name it. If it seemed relatively healthy, came in a handy “snack pack” and was sold at Costco, I bought it.


2. “Fruit Snacks.” Why they don’t just give in and admit these are fruit-shaped gummy bears, I’ll never know. But, suffice it to say, if you read the label, these so-called "fruit" snacks are far more sugar and far less fruit. And really, with a just a pint-sized handful per serving, they are not filling anyone up! I don’t care if they are made by Welch’s or Mott’s or even organic Annie’s, they are junk.

There. I said it. I have purchased a lot of junk. And I wish I hadn’t because old habits die hard. Even with kids who are only 3, 5 and 7! And, all this junk comes at a steep price. It's far too expensive to continue for the long run -- especially when you have to dole out the snacks five at a time!

So, what’s a mom to do? Well, for starters, learn from my mistakes…

· Avoid those clever, convenient prepackaged snacks and buy in bulk instead. Get that super-sized bag of Goldfish or raisins at Costco and divvy it up in small containers each day. I’m a big fan of the Take and Toss cups that come in two sizes – one that’s just right for tiny tots and one that will be perfect for your budding scholar. If you want something less plastic and more permanent, I have friends who give rave reviews to Glass Lock containers, which have fun, bright lids in several colors to brighten up both lunch boxes and dreary days!

· Pack a real fruit snack. As in a piece of fruit. We’ve had success with bananas, apples, blueberries, strawberries and grapes – even though last year when my only little lady was in kindergarten, she wrote me a note I’ll never forget: “Mom. I don’t lik gren grapz. I like red onz. But I stil love you.”

So, there you have it -- written proof that your kids will love you even if you eliminate fake fruit snacks.

Here is a more complete list of our top choices to keep our pack of snackers happy… and ideally, healthy too!

· Goldfish, pretzels, Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins

· Graham crackers, Teddy Grahams and even the occasional Oreo (we all need a treat sometimes!)

· Carrots, cucumber, pepper slices served with a side of hummus

· Sliced apples, kiwi, clementines, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple

· Raisins and other dried fruit: apricots, cherries, cranberries, mango, etc.

· Cereal bars – our favorites come from Kellogg’s (and are available at Costco and other “big box” stores) or Trader Joe’s

· Yogurt. Note that this says Yogurt. Not Gogurt. I’ve had to boycott Gogurt ever since they introduced the Sponge Bob version that glows in the dark. My kids can be hard enough to handle in the dark – the last thing I need is glowing bellies to add to the fun!

Last but not least, buy on sale and buy in bulk. Hopefully this gives you a few new ideas for how ensure your snackers are happy ones -- and, if you have yummy, healthy snacks that are your go-to favorites, let me know!

In the blur of baby days and toddler tantrums - "Parents Need to Eat Too" - VIDEO

Parents need to eat too. This may sound obvious but, it is a simple little fact that is often forgotten in the blur of baby days and toddler tantrums. My husband is actually great at remembering this little tidbit and frequently recalls the airline advice that urges adults to put on their oxygen masks before tending to the children around them. He thinks of food (three full square meals a day) like that oxygen... it is absolutely essential and copious amounts are required for his base level of functioning.

The same can not be said of me. Don't get me wrong. I love to eat. Really. I love love love food. But, the notion of putting together a plate for myself while a little one is howling never even occurred to me. I just assumed that in the natural order of all things food-related, the kids come first. Well, guess what? I was wrong. And, in a moment more rare than a solar eclipse, I'm going to admit something else -- my husband was right!

And, he's not alone. Debbie Koenig, who you may know from the blog Words to Eat By has a fab new book that will help parents everywhere master the struggle of the juggle -- in particular, the juggle of a jiggly newborn or tuggy toddler and the dinnertime dilemma.

In Parents Need to Eat Too, Debbie shares tips and recipes that will speak to busy moms of tiny tots, myself included! Although my kids no longer require swaying and shushing and being strapped to me in a sling, those days are not so far behind and I sure would have appreciated this book then. It contains tasty, simple recipes that be made during nap-time, like Zucchini and Spinach Risotto or Roasted Vegetable Lasagna. It also includes what I think is a stroke of pure genius -- an entire chapter of meals that can be eaten with one hand! Only a mom (and especially a new mom!) can truly appreciate what it's like to have to eat meal after meal with only one hand free because the other one is building up a huge bicep while supporting the head of your precious offspring. I kind of remember feeling like this in those days...

It's true. I can vividly recall being so hungry and so helpless that I literally wanted to put my face in my plate just like "mommy's little piggy." Thanks to Debbie's chapter of One Handed Meals, other moms need not face the same humiliating fate! Her Broccoli and Cheddar Pinwheels will please kids and parents alike and the same can be said of her Chicken (Pot) Handpies.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of her book and look forward to trying out more recipes in the weeks to come... especially since she also devotes a chapter to "Mom's New Friend: The Slow Cooker". I got a slow cooker for Christmas and was convinced it would help solve my dinnertime woes... it hasn't yet but, with Debbie's easy recipes in hand, it just might!

To get your own copy, visit Amazon or Barnes & Noble.