“Mom and Dad, I’m HUNGRY!” Every parents here’s those words. Especially after they ate 30 minutes ago. They start asking for snacks, something to drink, fruits, candy, chips, you name it. I swear it feels like they burn through those calories 10x faster then we do. Because I have two hungry little girls, I have learned to pack good snacks that will keep them fuller longer and are also healthy for them.
Have you ever gave your child a few animal crackers or even some fruit gummies and wondered why 10 minutes later they are saying they are hungry again or want more snacks? Yes parents we have all been there. This is why I have decided to create this post cause I think it’s time to start making snack time more filling when we are on an adventure. A full tummy makes everyone happy during a hike or whatever adventure it is that you’re family is on.
HEALTHY SNACKS
For fulfilling a good list of snacks we want to find items that are not just healthy but filling such as oatmeal, fruits, veggies, grains, cheese, etc. Here’s a few of the things I take with me to my outings for my kids. I usually take several of these. So cheese, fruits, and some crackers or fruits, veggies, and some homemade trail mix. You can pick and choose. I always take a small sandwich as well for after the hike or for around lunch/dinner time.
1. Trail Mix
Most trail mixes are not meant to be a meal, though you can create your own mix to fit your nutritional needs. If you stick to a trail mix that consists strictly of fruits and nuts you can fall into a healthy snack category. I have heard good things about Beach Nut trail mix as well. It is vegan, gluten free, and organic. This Trail Mix for Toddlers is a fun on-the-go snack option that is made especially with toddlers in mind! Filled with protein, calcium, fiber and antioxidants these small bites of goodness are healthy and fun to eat!
2. Fruits: Oranges, Mandarins, Grapes, Apples, Bananas, etc.
According to Choose My Plate, fruits provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body. Most fruits are low in fat, sodium, and calories. Best of all they have no cholesterol. Fruits also have essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, and potassium. You can fruits in various different ways on the trail. You can eat dehydrated fruits or just take the fruits with you for consumption. My kids loves the “Oh Nuts” dehydrated mangoes for on the trail. They also enjoys to eat a whole apple or peach.
3. Veggies: Carrots, Celery, Baby Tomatoes.
Vegetables is another food group that is under consumed in the US. According the Choose My Plate, vegetables provide nutrients vital for your health and body maintenance. Majority of vegetables are low in fat and calories with no cholesterol. They also provide important nutrients to the body such as potassium, fiber, folic acid, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. Some of the vegetables you can take on the trail are baby carrots, celery, baby tomatoes, and cucumbers. Just put them in a reusable baggies and carry it in your pack for easy access.
4. Cheese
Cheese is another good and healthy snack. Maybe not in large amounts but definitely a fun one to have for little ones. You can take some of the cheese bites and eat them with some vegetables, dehydrated fruits, or even nuts. Just take a cheese block and cut it into squares or you can even use cheese string if it’s easier for you to carry along.
5. Granola Bars
This may come as a surprise to some, and this is completely depending on the kind of granola bars that you eat as well, but granola bars have good nutritional value to them. Some of those nutritional values include minerals such as sodium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Some granola bars even have vitamins in them such as vitamin E, vitamin C, niacin, and thiamin. They can also ease with digestion, weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels, boost energy levels, and much more. You can read some 9 Surprising Benefits of Granola Bars for more information. You can even make a granola trail mix. Use granola, some dehydrated fruits, yogurt bites, and voila. I like to use Nature’s Valley, This Bar Saves Lives, or Quaker Chewy Bars or you can make some delicious homemade ones. Read all about This Bar Saves Lives and how they help kids in need around the world on The “Walking Mermaid” Click here.
6. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
This may not be the most healthiest of all the snacks on my list but it’s definitely a healthy cookie to have around. Here is a very delicious recipe that I found. On our lazy days we also use these. From Yummy Toddler Foods
7. Peanut Butter and Carrots or Celery (or both) you can also use fruits.
I love peanut butter. It has a delicious blend of calories, nutritional value, and healthy fats. They are very good when you eat it with other things such as crackers, vegetables, or even a sandwich. You can even use almond butter for better nutritional benefits.
8. Animal Crackers, Pretzels, Crackers
You are probably thinking that I am contradicting myself. Grains is good to have, don’t get me wrong, but some of them aren’t as filling. This is why I recommend eating these with another one of the snacks such as crackers with cheese, or pretzels in your trail mix, or even animal crackers with dehydrated fruits.
9. Raisins
Raisins are used for many reasons. My daughter only eats them alone or chocolate covered but you can also add them to oatmeal, granola, trail mix, salads (fruit salad or vegetable salad), and even yogurt. These little treats are packed with fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. So whether you just bring along a box of raisins for them to tear up or mix it with your trail mix or granola, raisins is one easy snack that you can take along with you on your hikes. You can read more on the health benefits of raisins here.
10. Nuts: almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc.
Did you know that nuts are considered fruits? Yes! Not the sweetest of all fruits and on the contrary, they are high in fats unlike most fruits. This doesn’t change the fact that they have many nutrients though. Some of these nutrients are fiber, proteins, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, and manganese just to say a few. Every nut is different on the nutrient intake but all have these general range of nutrients. You can read more about the health benefits of nuts here. For the trail I like to take either Planters Peanuts or honey roasted cashews. I also love almonds for a good source of protein.
11. Applesauce
I like to buy the Mott’s or GoGo pouches. Not the small aluminum foil lid container ones as they can easily break and spill in your bag. You can also go eco-friendly and make your own squeeze pouches and use one of these kits to store them in. You can make them out of different fruits as well.
12. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich bites
Well this is easy, we already discussed the benefits of eating peanut butter and different nuts. Now we just add some grains and fruits into the mix and you have the perfect snack for any trip. PB&J are my youngest daughter’s favorite. Every day for lunch she asks me for a peanut butter jelly sandwich. You can make these from organic peanut butter (or you can use almond butter), organic jelly, and a delicious healthy bread that has nuts or oats on it. Cut each sandwich into 4 or 6 pieces or cut them out in fun characters such as Minnie Mouse or a circle and snack time is going to be a success.