Healthy Snacks and Lunches for Busy Moms and Their Middle School Kids
Between baseball practice, dance lessons, and carting the kids to their friends’ houses, how’s a mom-on-the-go supposed to ensure that her kids are eating right and staying hydrated during these triple-digit days? We’ve got your answer right here, with these quick and healthy snack and lunch options that you can whip up quicker than your kids can say, “Mom, can you take me to Jimmy’s?”
1. Dry cereal: No time for milk in the morning? No worries. Just throw some whole-grain cereal, such as Raisin Bran and MultiGrain Cheerios, in a baggie, add some nuts for extra flavor, nutrition, and protein, and you can be on your way in minutes.
2. String cheese: Kids love peeling string cheese, turning it into an interactive snack. So let them play with their food by offering them these low-calorie calcium superstars. If the cheese alone won’t cut it, pair it with a few whole-grain crackers to help fulfill that crunch craving.
3. Fruit: This one’s pretty much a no-brainer. If your little ones are in the mood for something sweet, let the natural sweetness of fruit do the trick. Apples, bananas, oranges—you really can’t go wrong. For a summertime treat, try feeding your kids frozen grapes. They’re like mini popsicles!
4. Granola bars: Keeping a few of these on hand—in your purse, in the glovebox—can limit those fast-food mornings and afternoons. Instead of hitting up the drive-thru for a greasy breakfast sandwich or burrito, whip out a nutritious and filling granola bar. With so many different brands and flavors out there, it can be daunting to find one that serves all your needs. It’s best to go for bars with fewer than 15 grams of sugar, at least 4 grams of fiber, and one that’s less than 150 calories. Kashi’s TLC Chewy Granola bars are a great option.
5. Chocolate: Yep, you heard us right. We know fruit doesn’t always silence the sweet tooth. So when you and your youngsters need a sweet treat, go for 100-calorie chocolate bars (or if you can’t find them, just nibble on a couple small pieces of this food of the gods).
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