Healthier Snacks for the Whole Family + A Lunch Packing Cheatsheet Printable!
Monday, July 3, 2017
I try to feed my family as healthily as I can, but that doesn't mean giving up our favorite snacks. I think moderation is key when snacking, but so is making better-for-you choices. If you're eating a balanced diet the rest of the time, you don't have to cut out the things you enjoy, like those BBQ chips. You can have your chips and eat them too, and to that end, I've made a cheatsheet for packing healthier lunches in a hurry for those busy people out there. Just choose a food from each category and lunch is done (including your snack!)
Eating a healthy diet would be so much easier if all we craved was fruits and veggies to snack on. That fresh, ripe plum may be calling your name now, but what about when your salty craving hits?
Having one serving of chips isn't the end of the world, or your healthy diet. The most important part is choosing snacks with natural ingredients instead of artificial flavors whenever possible and making sure you eat a balanced diet the rest of the time. Oh, and serving sizes: stick to them.
It's so much easier as a mom, and the main grocery shopper, to stock up on individually portioned snacks for the family and I love the Snyder’s-Lance snack packs of chips.
They're a variety pack of chip brands that use natural, high-quality ingredients that still taste great. There's a flavor for everyone in each package and the single-serve sizes are great for portion control.
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| Premium Variety pack: Snyder's of Hanover® Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces, Kettle Brand® Backyard Barbeque® Potato Chips, Cape Cod® 40% Reduced Fat Original Potato Chips, & Late July® Nacho Chipotle Tortilla Chips. |
They have in a Premium Variety pack and a Small Batch Kettle Chip Variety pack, but also a Non-GMO Variety pack and a Gluten-Free Variety pack, too. See them all here.
No matter what your diet, you can have a healthier, but still totally indulgent, snack.
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| Small Batch Kettle Chip Variety pack: Kettle Brand® Jalapeno Potato Chips, Cape Cod® Original Potato Chips, Kettle Brand® Backyard Barbeque Potato Chips, & Cape Cod® Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips. |
My son loves the Kettle Backyard Barbeque, my husband is a Cape Cod and Snyder's pretzel fiend, my daughter loves Late July Nacho Chipotle, and my first pick is the Kettle Jalapeño, so we can all get our treat on.
Something else that's convenient: cheatsheets. If you struggle making lunches in the morning and wonder if they're taking a balanced meal with them when they walk out the door, this one is for you.
A Lunch Packing Cheatsheet
Simply choose one item from each category to make sure that all of the food groups are included and they'll also have a snack for later.
Protein is a big part of the meal and will help you feel full, longer.
- Lunchmeat
- sliced chicken or turkey breast
- fish (like tuna or salmon)
- nut butters
- a handful of nuts
- a serving of a beans or a bean paste like hummus (to dip veggies in)
- tofu
- a hardboiled egg
2. Grain or gluten-free alternative
Whole wheat or multigrain are the best choices. If eating gluten-free, choose a gluten-free alternative.
- Sandwich bread
- a flour tortilla
- Pita bread
- baked Pita chips
- Quinoa
- croutons
- Naan bread
- mini pizza crusts
- crackers
3. Dairy or dairy alternative
- milk (no sugar added)
- yogurt
- cheese cubes or slices
- sour cream
- cottage cheese
- cream cheese
- custard/pudding
4. Fruit
- whole, fresh fruit
- fruit cups (in juice, not syrup)
- applesauce cups
- dried or freeze-dried fruits
- grape/cherry tomatoes
- half an avocado (brushed with lemon juice)
- all-natural fruit roll-up
- all-natural fruit gummies
- 100% real fruit juice/smoothie
5. Veggie
- mini carrots
- carrot sticks, celery
- broccoli spears
- cauliflower spears
- bell pepper sticks
- diced/sliced cucumber
- lettuce (in a salad or on a sandwich)
- spinach (in a salad or on a sandwich)
- veggie juice/smoothie
6. Snack
- chips
- cookies
- chocolate/candy
- chocolate/strawberry milk
7. Drinks
Always include a bottle of water even if you include another drink with lunch, like juice. It can always be saved for later. Better to have water at hand to help you stay hydrated!
For a handy printable version of this cheatsheet, get the PDF here. Print it out at "fit to page" and keep it in the kitchen!
Always include a bottle of water even if you include another drink with lunch, like juice. It can always be saved for later. Better to have water at hand to help you stay hydrated!
For a handy printable version of this cheatsheet, get the PDF here. Print it out at "fit to page" and keep it in the kitchen!
I hope this cheatsheet makes lunch-making a breeze for you! You can also get healthier Snyder's-Lance snack packs in-store at major retailers or online here.
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What are your favorite chips from the Snyder's-Lance snack packs? Do you struggle with packing lunches? I love to read your comments!
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