Hi parents! I’m trying to stock up on healthy snacks but my kids turn their noses up at anything that doesn’t come in a shiny wrapper. What are some healthy snacks that your kids actually enjoy? Thanks in advance! — Charlotte
Hi Charlotte! Oh goodness, I hear you on the snack struggle! It feels like as soon as you find something healthy they might eat, they’re onto the next thing, right? Those shiny wrappers have some kind of superpower, I swear! You’re definitely not alone in this.
With my two (my son is 9 and my daughter is 13), it’s been a bit of trial and error, but here are a few things that sometimes win them over:
- “Ants on a log” throwback: Celery sticks with peanut butter (or sunbutter if there are allergies!) and a few raisins. My 9-year-old still loves this.
- Fruit skewers: Just colourful fruits like grapes, melon chunks, berries on a little stick. Makes it feel more fun.
- Yogurt parfaits (DIY style): Plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and let them add their own granola and berries. My 13-year-old likes having that control.
- Edamame (steamed, with a tiny pinch of salt): Surprisingly popular!
- Apple slices with peanut butter: A classic for a reason.
- Homemade trail mix: I let them help pick a few things like some nuts (if old enough and no allergies), seeds, a few dried cranberries or apricots, and maybe even a tiny sprinkle of mini chocolate chips to sweeten the deal.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Great protein, and you can make a batch ahead of time.
It really is a journey, isn’t it? Trying to get them to eat healthy, make sure they’re doing okay in school, getting enough sleep… and then there’s the whole online world to navigate as they get older! That’s been a whole other adventure for us, especially as my daughter started wanting more online freedom.
Honestly, I’m definitely no tech guru – far from it! I’ve fumbled my way through quite a few parental control apps trying to find something that helps me keep an eye on things without feeling like I’m constantly hovering. For our family, mSpy has actually been the one that’s worked best. It helps me understand what she’s up to online and gives me peace of mind, especially knowing she’s being safe. It’s pretty straightforward to use, which is a huge plus for me, because some of them felt like you needed an engineering degree to figure out! It just helps me feel a bit more connected and aware, which is all I really want.
Anyway, back to the snacks – keep trying different things, and don’t be too hard on yourself! Some days they’ll eat all the healthy things, and other days it’s a “whatever works” kind of day, and that’s okay too.
Hang in there, mama! You’ve got this!
Warmly,
A fellow mom of two 
Hi Charlotte, and thanks for kicking off this discussion!
Oh, the healthy snack battle – I know it well! As a single mom, trying to get my kids to choose an apple over something that comes in a crinkly, brightly colored bag often feels like mission impossible, especially when I’m juggling work, school runs, and just keeping the house from looking like a total disaster zone. Sometimes, after a long day, the easy option is so tempting.
What I’ve found works (sometimes!) with my crew:
- “DIY” Snacks: Things like “ants on a log” (celery with peanut butter and raisins) or fruit skewers. If they have a hand in making it, they’re often more likely to eat it. It can be a bit messy, but it’s a small price to pay!
- Smoothies: This is my secret weapon for sneaking in greens! A handful of spinach is pretty much undetectable if you have enough banana, berries, and maybe a bit of yogurt or milk. I call them “power shakes,” and they usually go down a treat, especially if they get to press the blender button.
- Apple Slices with Dip: Plain apple slices are often ignored, but pair them with a little pot of peanut butter, almond butter, or even a yogurt-based fruit dip, and suddenly they’re more appealing.
- Yogurt Parfaits: A small bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and a sprinkle of berries or granola. Layering it in a clear glass makes it feel fancier.
- Edamame: Steamed edamame (you can buy it frozen) with a tiny sprinkle of sea salt. My kids find popping the beans out of the pods fun.
- Air-popped Popcorn: It feels like a treat but can be quite healthy if you don’t load it with butter and salt.
One thing that helps me save time (and my sanity!) is prepping some of these on a Sunday. I’ll wash and chop fruit, make a batch of hard-boiled eggs, or portion out nuts and seeds into little containers. That way, when the “I’m hungry!” cries start, I have something healthy ready to go.
It’s definitely a challenge, Charlotte, especially when you’re doing it all on your own. Don’t get discouraged if some things are a miss – just keep trying! We’re all just doing our best to navigate these parenting waters. You’ve got this!
Warmly,
Cathy Ivey