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Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Healthy Snack Ideas Everyone Will Eat

March 9, 2008 14 Comments

*Amazon or other affiliate links may be included, see full disclosure after the post. I'm not a medical professional, so use anything you read here only as a starting point for your own research.

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“Healthy” as in, NOT what's pictured here!

(NOTE:  For a newer, prettier list of real food snacks, click here.)

When I first began eating better and had what I call my “food conversion“, making healthier meals with better ingredients was its own challenge, but for me that was easier than figuring out an even bigger dilemma:  what in the world to give the kids for healthy snacks.  It seemed like everything was in the “bad” category now.

Keep in mind though, the more nutrient dense foods the kids are eating at mealtime (plenty of healthy fats are key), I definitely notice less hanging around the kitchen wanting a snack.  BUT there are always times we still need some good snack ideas or a grab-and-go food, so here are a few…

If you have more to add to my list, please leave a comment below and share it with everyone!

Get more lists like the one below in a printable format FREE by clicking here to sign up and join the Kitchen Kop Krew.  You'll also get a free cookbook: “Wicked Keto” and more freebies. 🙂 

HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS (as opposed to those pictured above!):

Notes:  I'm adding three stars (***) by the ideas below that would be good low-carb options if you have weight issues you're concerned about.

And you may want to read Is Edamame a Safe Snack?

  • Kelly's Healthy Popcorn and Is Popcorn Really Good for You?popcorn lg
  • ***Kale Chips
  • ***Nitrite free salami – find a farm or meat market that sells all-natural meats: www.localharvest.org or www.eatwellguide.org.  Or click here to get safe, healthy meat online.
  • ***Cheese, preferably raw – read more here about the amazing benefits of raw dairy!  No “processed cheese” — Sick!
  • Toast with a good sourdough or fermented bread with real butter, preferably organic (remember butter and other healthy fats help your body absorb nutrients in your other food and help with digestion!)
  • Yogurt, preferably homemade from raw milk, but for sure whole milk yogurt, never low fat! (This post on healthy milk explains why low-fat dairy is so unhealthy.)
  • Organic crackers – my kids like the organic cheese bunny crackers or organic graham crackers for a once-in-a-while snack, and although it's better than a lot of snacks, they're still not the best because it's in yet another package, which I need to get away from more and more.  Have you seen the recipe for these sourdough crackers?  Now those are a great choice, and they're really good!  (Serve with salami or cheese mentioned above for good protein.)
  • Homemade cookies – preferably with less sugar than the recipe calls for, or at least with more natural sugars like organic cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, and the jury is still out on Agave Nectar – read more about that at the My Dark Secrets post.chili-lime almonds
  • ***Crispy nuts – an extra healthy, yummy & easy way to prepare nuts.  Or even better, try these chili lime almonds.
  • Organic dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, etc. – these are great on salads, too) – these are least expensive through my buying club (check your local health food store), at a bulk foods store, or at an Amish store.
  • Fresh fruits (preferably ) – Jeanne just gave me a great idea! She will freeze grapes or berries in small baggies and the kids like to grab those for a quick snack on the go.
  • Frozen fruits like blueberries, grapes, or mangos.  ***With all fruits and veggies, keep an eye on the “Dirty Dozen“, so you know which ones it's important to buy organic (if they're a highly sprayed crop), OR which ones you can just buy conventional with no problem.
  • ***Fresh veggies (again, keep an eye on the “Dirty Dozen“, so you know which ones it's important to buy organic (if they're a highly sprayed crop), OR which ones you can just buy conventional with no problem) – try dipping them in this easy-to-make homemade ranch.
  • Extra healthy Superfood Smoothies.
  • Organic applesauce – again, this is one of my “compromises” that I give the kids when I don't have any homemade applesauce in the freezer – I have a recipe which is SO good by the way, and from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook – it tastes like the best apple pie you've ever eaten:  Homemade applesauce.
  • Deviled eggs – yum!  Or just plain hard-boiled eggs with sea salt.  It's SO easy and FAST to make hard boiled eggs in the pressure cooker, see how here.
  • Organic corn chips with this, the BEST homemade salsa recipe! or homemade guacamole – if you're not using homemade, check your labels and find some with short ingredient lists, no trans fats, no MSG, no preservatives, etc.  (You'll have to do some sleuthing to find some half-way decent tortilla chips…)  Also, my kids love this tasty Mexican layered dip.layered taco tip
  • Here's the BEST homemade fresh salsa recipe!
  • This is a weird snack that I LOVE to have for my lunch sometimes: a bowl of grapes or apples (preferably organic), crispy pecans and fresh shredded parmesan – yum! The kids love it, too.
  • Sliced apples with cinnamon and a little sugar on top is always a hit.
  • My kids love this “Texas Caviar”/Bean Salsa dip.
  • Homemade pita bread crisps/bagel crisps/tortilla crisps – start with healthy versions of pita bread, tortillas or bagels (no trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, whole grain, preferably organic, etc.), if using bagels, slice into thin pieces and brush with butter, and cinnamon sugar if desired, bake until golden.  Easy.  See my recipe for homemade tortillas!
  • From Julie: “Honey Bunches of Oats”: use whatever amounts you prefer and mix together peanut butter, honey and dried oats, preferably properly prepared – made similar to Crispy Nuts: mix together 4 c. organic oats, 4 c. filtered water, 1/2 c. yogurt or whey – soak on the counter overnight. In the morning drain and spread onto a buttered cookie sheet. Bake at 150* (or your oven's lowest temp) for 24 hours or until crunchy.
  • Leftovers of this wildly popular baked oatmeal recipe (even with those who aren't crazy about oatmeal), are also great for on-the-go.
  • ***My kids love beef jerky or meat sticks. (Be sure to get the kind made without MSG – I usually get it at our farm, or you could try homemade.  You can also click here to order healthy meats online.)  Also, Braunsweiger or Head Cheese – yes, I said it, and I even eat it! The “head cheese” just tastes like sausage and it's so good for you! Thankfully, and surprisingly, our kids (all but our teen of course) love it. We always call it “sausage”, whatever you do, don't call it by the real names!
  • Crab meat dip with crackers or celery.  (Fresh crab meat is best because it's not easy finding canned crab meat without all the preservatives.)  Mix one can crab meat with 8 oz. cream cheese and a few squirts of organic ketchup to your taste.  Easy and kids love it.
  • Beef Liver Pâté with Shallots and Bacon (A Tasty Nutrient-Dense Snack!)
  • My latest favorite snack is a banana sliced and fried in bacon grease – it may sound odd, but it's soooooo good!  Kids love it, too!  (Yes, bacon fat is a healthy fat IF you get it from a farm where the animals are raised on pasture!)
  • Homemade Potato Chips – guilt-free!
  • Spicy Pita Snackers (Like Olga's without the MSG!)
  • Ham and Cream Cheese Roll-upsham rollups pic
  • Crispy Rosemary Walnuts (Converting a Walnut Hater)
  • Can anything good come from the chips aisle?

More posts you might like:

  • Healthy & tasty waffles and pancakes
  • Meatless/Lenten/Vegetarian meal ideas
  • All about SUPPLEMENTS
  • Coconut for dieting and more!
  • Sourdough Galore: English Muffins, Crackers, Pizza Crust, Pancakes, and Waffles!
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Comments

  1. Jenn V. says

    September 28, 2010 at 12:59 PM

    Just wanted to add in that I love fried plantains, which I’m sure are similar to fried bananas – and we dip them in fresh sour cream. YUM!

    Reply
  2. Barbara Grant says

    September 7, 2010 at 8:50 AM

    I have made jerky using ground beef and it was good, even if it was a little surprisingly tough! We just had a 15 year old cow butchered and made the whole thing into hamburger. I think I will have to try the jerky again.

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    September 6, 2010 at 12:56 AM

    Re: Jerky

    We have had good success using Alton Brown’s jerky recipe from food network https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/beef-jerky-recipe/index.html. It doesn’t call for any curing salts, just Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, liquid smoke and spices. Knowing what I do now I would use Tamari in place of the soy sauce, but other than that it’s all real food, as far as I know so far based on my reading since May. 😉

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    June 11, 2009 at 2:35 AM

    Bummer! Oh well, it takes trial and error – I’ve had so many bombs in the kitchen, it’s sick.

    Reply
  5. Alisse says

    June 9, 2009 at 1:27 PM

    No go. 🙁 I used pre-cut carne asada meat (Not sure about what cut it was, but that must’ve been the problem). The jerky is really leathery and tough, and it’s a workout for the jaws…

    I’m open to suggestions about the right cuts to use, etc.

    In the meantime, anyone looking for a recipe for tasty dog treats? 😉

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    June 9, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    Alisse, how did it come out?

    Reply
  7. Alisse says

    June 6, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    Try this website for beef jerky: https://monsterguide.net/how-to-make-beef-jerky Apparently, curing can be achieved with apple cider vinegar. I am about to test this theory (today).

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    April 25, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    Hi Annie, great news about the whole milk!! (Be sure you’re not drinking ultra-past. organic milk – read this to find out why that’s so bad: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/02/healthy-milk.html)

    Your instincts are right about low-fat foods – they’re terrible for us! Read more here: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/08/healthy-fats-oils.html

    Read here about Splenda: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/04/dangers-of-artificial-sweeteners-do.html. Try to avoid it if you can and instead eat small amounts of real sugars: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/04/all-about-sugars-the-good-the-bad-the-disgusting.html.

    Hope that helps!
    Kelly

    Reply
  9. Annie says

    April 22, 2009 at 11:48 PM

    Hi! Wow your site is so overwhelming but very helpful at the same time! I just made my switch to whole milk today! It wasn’t too hard for me because I think it is delicious! Plus we already had some organic whole milk, because that’s what my one year old drinks. Anyway, I am trying to diet and I just was wondering if all low fat foods are not actually good for me. Like low fat crackers, pancake mix, pudding, yogurt, sugar-free jello, 100 Calorie Packs, etc? It’s just so crazy to me, all this stuff I grew up on thinking was ok for me actually isn’t? It’s a big transition! I was also wondering what you thought about Splenda and using that in baking like homemade cookies, breads, etc.
    Thanks so much,
    Annie

    Reply
  10. Kelly the Kitchen Kop says

    October 23, 2008 at 3:27 AM

    Good question, I’d like to know that too. If you don’t hear from anyone here at my blog, let me know if you end up finding one somewhere else.

    Thanks!
    Kelly

    Reply
  11. Michelle says

    October 22, 2008 at 6:29 PM

    Hi Kelly,

    Have you or any of your readers come across a good homemade beef jerky recipe that is MSG and nitrate/nitrite free? I’ve been searching the web, and most call for curing salts (which contain nitrates/nitrites.) Does any one have a healthy substitution for curing salts?
    Thanks for your input!

    Michelle

    Reply
  12. Kelly says

    March 13, 2008 at 6:53 PM

    Natalie,

    That does sound like a great program, I read about it when I was doing research for the school lunches post. Unfortunately I haven’t heard of anything like that here in our area. 🙁

    Kelly

    Reply
  13. Natalie says

    March 13, 2008 at 5:52 PM

    I’m not sure if this is the right post to put this comment on or not, but I stumbled upon http://www.midwestfoodconnection.org while surfing the internet. This is a program in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, area whereby students are taught about nutrients in food, local sustainable farming and making good food choices. It sounds like an awesome program. Since I am just starting the journey of having children in school, does anything exist like this in our local school districts?

    Reply
  14. Holly says

    March 10, 2008 at 8:40 AM

    Great list! thanks Kelly!

    Reply

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