Healthy School Snacks (Gluten Free + Dairy Free options)

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We have entered the world of kindergarten and so far we have survived. While I could not have predicted the emotional wreck I was in the first week, one thing that I started worrying about as early as last Spring was: food. I was terrified of running out of lunch options for my son, since they have to bring their lunch every day for at least the first two weeks, and my picky eater wouldn’t eat most of the hot lunch options anyway. Also, since they eat at 11 a.m. and don’t leave school until 2:50 p.m., I am required to pack not one but two snacks per day. He gets home hungry and needs yet another snack since dinner is still more than 3 hours away.

Nutrition plays a big role in a child’s immunity to common childhood illnesses like stomach bugs and colds. I also typically try to avoid ingredients like artificial colors (linked to hyperactivity), trans fats, processed sugar, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

I thought I’d jot down a few of my go-to favorites so far — I’d love to hear your additions in the comment section or on our Facebook page. I try to make most of our healthy school snacks gluten free and dairy free because my son has mild intolerances to both of those ingredients. Our school is not nut-free, but we are not allowed to use nuts in the two snacks during the school day, so I separate school snacks from after-school snacks, which can contain nuts.

School Snacks - Gluten-Free Dairy-Free | Dallas Moms Blog

School snacks (nut free, dairy free, some gluten free)

  • dried cranberries, cherries, or apples (dried fruit: watch ingredients list to avoid high fructose corn
  • syrup, also listed as “fructose” now)
  • organic raisins
  • Z bars (Costco)
  • organic fruit strips (Costco)
  • graham crackers (watch for high fructose corn syrup or fructose on the label)
  • popcorn
  • fruit snacks (made with real juice instead of refined sugar or corn syrup)
  • dried seaweed snacks (comes in sticks or sheets!)
  • veggie straws or chips
  • carrot sticks

After school snacks (contain nuts, dairy free, some gluten free)

  • Peanut Butter Crackers (Lance’s now has a gluten free version! Also try Late July brand for organic, non-GMO)
  • Larabars
  • protein balls (this is my favorite recipe so far, but Pinterest has TONS, so try one until you find one your kids like!)
  • real gelatin gummies
  • fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries, apples, oranges, mangoes, kiwis, pineapple, etc.)
  • smoothie
  • leftover smoothie frozen into a popsicle
  • fruit juice popsicle
  • mixed nuts or trail mix (look out for artificial colors, corn syrup or added sugar in ingredients)
  • coconut yogurt

Phew, those lists are a lot smaller than I thought they were, but I can confirm that they should last about 3 weeks without your child noticing any repetition. Or at least it has so far, for us! I’d love to hear any additional suggestions!

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