Making homemade snacks is almost always cheaper, healthier and better for the environment because there are no packets to throw away. We have great snack ideas and recipes, but sometimes you just need a grab-and-go snack!
There are loads of packaged snacks in supermarkets, many labelled ‘perfect for the lunch box’ or ‘good for kids’. Don’t be fooled by these marketing tactics. Many of these products are packed with sugar, salt and saturated fat. But it’s not all bad news, there are healthy options available! Here are our top 8 healthy snacks that you can store in the fridge or pantry, ready to pop in the lunch box or when you have to grab and go.
Popcorn is a wholegrain, providing kids with fibre for healthy tummies. Choose air-popped varieties that are lightly salted, as these will have less salt and fat in them compared to the flavoured ones. Swap chips with popcorn today!
Many Australian children need more calcium in their diet. Yoghurt is a good source of calcium, necessary for strong bones and teeth. It makes a perfect grab-and-go snack.
Packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals, canned fruit is a good snack, especially when you don’t have fresh fruit available. Choose fruit in natural juice rather than in sugar syrup or jelly.
Like yoghurt, plain milk poppers or calcium-fortified soy milk poppers are a good source of calcium which is important for strong bones and teeth. You can freeze them, which will help keep the lunch box cold.
Dried fruit like sultanas, apple and apricots contain fibre and can be a handy, sweet snack. However, dried fruit can lead to tooth decay so it’s important not to eat it every day.
Roasted chickpeas and fava beans contain fibre and protein for a filling snack. Avoid the chocolate-coated ones and look out for 5 stars on the pack.
Cheese provides calcium and wholegrain crackers provide energy and fibre. Choose the sliced cheese and crackers, not the cheese spread and crackers, as the cheese spread is high in salt.
Don’t forget lots of fruit and vegies are the perfect grab-and-go snack that comes in its own packaging! Grab a banana, pear, mandarin, apple, baby cucumber or handful of cherry tomatoes. A great way to get your 2+5.
For more healthy snack ideas download our Free Snack Solution Guide.
Check out our special holiday guide to keep your kids happy and healthy over the school holidays.
© Cancer Council NSW 2024 Head Office Address: 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521.
Some images on this site have been supplied by Cancer Council Western Australia's Crunch & Sip website
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