By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN  

Backpacks are stuffed and classes are in full swing! Now is your time to shine! A healthy DIY Snack Station makes it easy for your kids to grab mom-approved snack foods & can also make lunch prep faster!

I place a Snack Station in the pantry and another Snack Station in the fridge. The first thing you’ll need is a large food storage container, snack size baggies or reusable containers.

I like the idea of grouping snacks according to food group and secondly by shelf stable and refrigerated items. I’ll prep them on the weekend, and it has saved me so much time getting my kids off to school.

The way I stay on budget is by reserving the pre-packed snacks for school only. For home, I’ll buy the larger packaged items and portion the snacks out myself.

Shelf Stable Snack Station:   

Protein:  

Bars

Beef jerky

Nuts

Sunflower seeds

Carbs & Energy:  

Pretzels

Gold fish

Ritz crackers

Trail mix (cereal, raisin, peanuts)

Peanut butter crackers

Wheat thins

Fruits & Veggies:  

Dried fruits (raisins, apricots)

Fruit cups in own juices

Applesauce, unsweetened

Veggie pouches

Freeze dried apples

Refrigerator Snack Station:  

Veggies:  

Baby Carrots

Sugar snap peas

Grape tomatoes

Cucumber slices

Fruit:  

Apple slices

Clementine’s

Blueberries

Strawberries

Grapes

Watermelon

Protein & Healthy Fats:  

Cheese sticks, Baby bel

Hummus

Yogurt

Milk boxes

Single serve guacamole