Let’s face it: packing a school lunch your kid will actually eat can feel like a daily gamble. You want to give them something nutritious… but you also want that lunchbox to come back empty!
Good news: healthy doesn’t have to mean boring. With a few smart swaps, you can feel good about what’s in their lunch – and they’ll be excited to dig in. Here are our favorite real-life snack swaps that trade the sugar and filler for fuel and flavour:
Instead of: Fruit Juice
➡️ Try: Fruit-Infused Water or 100% Fruit/Veggie Smoothie
Fruit juice is stripped of most of the natural fibre found in whole fruit, leading to blood sugar spiking quickly without fibre to slow it down. A smoothie or a refillable bottle with water and berries or citrus slices keeps kids hydrated without the crash.
Instead of: Flavoured Chips or Popcorn
➡️ Try: Lightly salted popcorn or roasted chickpeas
Same satisfying crunch, but more fibre and protein – and no mystery ingredients. Add a little cinnamon for a sweet spin, make it into a trail mix with raisins, dried cranberries and seeds, or sprinkle popcorn with grated parmesan cheese.
Instead of: Sticky Granola Bars
➡️ Try: Homemade energy bites
Many bars made for kids are more like candy bars – high in sugar, and low in fibre, protein and other nutrients. The sticky syrups coating granola bars can get stuck in-between teeth and increase the risk of cavities. There are many quick no-bake energy bite recipes online – find one that combines your kid’s favourite ingredients!
Instead of: Sugary Cookies
➡️ Try: Pod Squad Snacks Mini Waffle Crisps
Our crisps bring all the crunch and satisfaction of a cookie – but with superfood ingredients like organic beans, oats, and flax. And, unlike many convenient kids snacks, they are high in fibre and protein for long-lasting energy that can keep up with their learning and playing throughout the day!
Instead of: Processed Cheese Snacks
➡️ Try: Cheese cubes/slices + whole grain crackers
Give them the satisfaction of finger food with better ingredients. Stacking a cracker, slice of cheese and slice of apple makes for a fun and nutritious kid snactivity!
💡Lunchbox Tip:
Want to get fewer leftovers? Give your kid two or three healthy options to choose from – they’ll feel in control, and you’ll feel good about the choices.
