I Used to Buy These Lunchbox Snacks, But These 8 Are Better for Kids

Lunchbox snacks are convenient. They’re the go-to choice when you’re rushing through the grocery store after dropping the kids off at school. Those brightly colored bags are a familiar pick that you know your kid will actually eat without putting up a fight. No judgment here, because honestly? We all do it.

But after watching the kids bounce off the walls at 3 pm and actually reading the ingredient labels, we began questioning some of these products. A lot of popular snacks are marketed for kids, but they are loaded with added sugars and refined flour. Sure, they’ll eat it without making a fuss, but they’ll be worse off for it.

We just knew there were better options out there that could replace the typical lunchbox snack, without causing an uproar. Kids need snacks that will give them the energy to go through the school day, without causing a sugar crash before the bell rings.

We found 8 healthier options that are worth switching to, and here’s why they work.

Fruit snacks feel like they’re a reasonable choice, but you’d be surprised. Although they do say “fruit” right there on the bag, most of them are essentially candy with some vitamins sprinkled on top. They’re mostly made of corn syrup and sugar, and they have very little fiber.

Switching to actual fruit is the answer. Kids usually love apple slices, grapes, or clementines. They’re a great source of vitamins and fiber, and they don’t take much time to prepare. The natural sugar is digested much more slowly, which avoids the dreaded sugar crash.

We know not every kid is a fan of fruit, and sometimes fresh fruit isn’t a practical choice, but you can always mix it up with raisin snack packs or tinned fruit in juice (not syrup). These are better grab-and-go alternatives and still deliver real nutrition.

We know those little Lunchable-style cracker packs are super convenient; there’s no question there. But they’re typically made from refined white flour and have very little fiber in them.
Switching to whole-grain crackers like Triscuits or Wasa paired with real cheese sticks is the way to go. Together, they are a great source of protein and calcium, and also pack more fiber. Honestly, kids also love to build those little cracker-and-cheese stacks anyway, so it’s a win-win situation.

Chips are a lunchbox classic, so switching them out may not seem reasonable at first. However, popcorn is a not-so-obvious alternative for kids above the age of five. They’re a whole grain with natural fiber, and are not loaded with artificial flavoring. Young kids tend to like them if they’re lightly salted or air-popped.
Just make sure you skip the heavily buttered and flavored versions. They’re pretty close to junk food and may end up being a worse pick than the chips.

Pre-packaged dip cups with crackers or pretzels are not a terrible choice, but they’re not a great source of nutrition either. Consider switching to hummus paired with carrot sticks or cucumber slices. It has loads of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Now, we know switching out crackers for veggies may not be easy, but your kid will be better for it. Besides, research shows that kids will eat more vegetables when they have something to dip them into, and hummus is mild enough that most kids will enjoy it.

Pre-made peanut butter and jelly snack packs are a convenient choice. They don’t require any prepping, and you know your kid will actually eat them. But they also pack a lot of added sugar, and the bread itself is made from refined white flour rather than whole grain.
A small container of natural peanut or almond butter paired with apple slices is a great choice. If your kids fight you on this one, you can always go for whole-grain bread instead of fruit, which is still a healthier choice.
Your kids will get healthy fats, protein, and fiber, not to mention vitamins from the fruit. Just make sure that nuts are allowed at the school. If not, sunflower seed butter is also an option that most kids take to pretty quickly.

Flavored yogurt pouches and tubes seem like a safe choice, and they’re definitely not the worst item on the list, but they can also carry a surprising amount of added sugar.
Try switching to plain Greek yogurt with some berries or a bit of honey. It’s a much healthier alternative with more protein and no processed added sugars. The berries and honey add natural flavor, and most kids come around to it faster than you'd expect. Just pack it in a small reusable container with a lid, and you’re good to go.

Kids’ granola bars may seem healthy at face value, but they’re basically cookie bars with some oats on top. Some of them have over 10 grams of added sugar, which is way too much sugar for a small snack.
Making a simple batch of homemade granola bars will only take you about 20 minutes, but you’ll have them in stock for weeks as they freeze pretty well. Try rolled oats with a bit of honey, nut butter, and other mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit. There are also store-bought options with much healthier ingredients if you’re short on time. Just make sure to read the label. Each bar should have no more than 6-8 grams of sugar

Pre-packaged meat snacks are super convenient. Kids love them, and they don’t take up time. But they’re also high in sodium and heavily processed. Switching to the healthy alternative will only take you about 30 extra seconds, so it’s definitely worth trying.
Grab a slice of deli turkey and wrap it around a piece of cheese. It’s a delicious, protein-rich snack, and your kid will hardly tell the difference. Add a few cucumber sticks or cherry tomatoes, and you’ve got yourself a tasty snack with protein, dairy, and vitamins.