Back to School Snacks: Ditch the Outdated Snacks

Ah, back-to-school season—when parents everywhere are freaking out about school supplies and healthy snacks.  Before you stock up on the same old snacks, it’s time for a lunchbox intervention. Let’s leave those outdated snacks in the past where they belong and upgrade to options that are fun, nutritious, and gut-approved.

Snacks That Should Stay in the 90s

1. Fruit Snacks Remember those tiny packets of sugary, gummy “fruit” shaped like dinosaurs? Spoiler alert: they’re about as healthy as eating a jellybean salad.

2. Cheese Puffs Orange dust everywhere. Need we say more? Unless you’re aiming for a mid-classroom cleanup session, it’s time to say goodbye.

3. Snack Cakes Sure, they’re nostalgic, but do you really want to pack a snack that’s mostly sugar, chemicals, and regret?

4. Mystery Meat Sticks Those individually wrapped, vaguely meat-like snacks might have been cool once, but your kid deserves better. Like…actual food.

Snacks That Pass the Test

1. Prebiotic & Probiotic Bars Fuel their day (and their gut) with snacks that taste great and help their tummy stay happy. Hello, Lola Snacks—you’re the star of the lunchbox.

2. DIY Snack Packs Skip the store-bought kits and make your own! Cheese cubes, whole-grain crackers, and some apple slices are the perfect combo of healthy protein, fiber, and fun.

3. Veggie Chips Crunchy, colorful, and way less messy than cheese puffs. Bonus points if you make them at home. My friend Sara has and awesome kale chip recipe.

4. Trail Mix Let the kids mix their own with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a few dark chocolate chips. It’s a snack and an activity all in one!

5. Smoothie Pops Perfect for after-school energy boosts. Blend up some fruit, yogurt, and a splash of honey, freeze in molds, and voila—a snack that feels like dessert- yes it works here too, think after school chill-out.

Snack Packing Tips for the Win

• Invest in Fun Containers: Bento boxes and reusable snack bags make healthy snacks feel special.

• Sneak in the Veggies: Carrot muffins, zucchini bread, or spinach in smoothies—they’ll never know.

• Let Them Choose: Give your kids a say in their snack choices, my mom loved to give me a can of sardines. They’ll be more likely to eat it and less likely to trade it for gummy dinosaurs.

This year, say goodbye to the outdated snacks of the 90's and hello to smarter, healthier, and dare we say…tastier options. Your kids (and their teachers) will thank you.

Happy snacking!