Looking for the best boxed mac and cheese? Here are some picks for healthy store bought mac and cheese from a Registered Dietitian. Plus a kids taste test!

*Originally published August 2022. Updated September 2025*

These are some options for the best boxed mac and cheese options that can be found in most grocery stores. They are budget-friendly and busy moms can pair with fruits and vegetables for a quick meal.

Hi friends!

We are continuing our “Best of” series by talking about macaroni and cheese. So far, we’ve covered snacks from certain stores like:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Best Healthy Snacks at Target

We’ve also talked about specific types of snacks like:

• Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks
• High Protein Snack Ideas
• Healthy Fruit Snacks
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Best Frozen Waffles
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

So be sure to catch up on those posts if you missed them!

Best mac and cheese in a box

When it comes to boxed mac and cheese, my biggest concern is sodium. Some brands, especially the deluxe versions, have 1,000+ mg of sodium per serving, which is way more than necessary. While I don’t recommend packaged mac and cheese as an everyday food, it’s certainly something my kids have for dinner occasionally.

When I’m picking out which brand to buy, I look for the lowest sodium per serving that I can find, and I’d also love for there to be a decent amount of both protein and fiber.

The problem is that some of the brands that are higher in both protein and fiber are not always a hit with my kids.

Why You’ll Love This List of the Best Mac & Cheese

• I compare the nutritional value of several brands
• All of these choices are affordable and available
• Kid-tested – I let my kids taste all of these and provide their honest review
• I’m a Registered Dietitian and I’m telling you it’s ok to serve boxed mac and cheese as a busy mom

Mac and Cheese Kids’ Review

So after looking at a lot of mac and cheese boxes, I decided to do a taste test with my kids (Their ages at the time of the taste test: 7, 5 & 3) to see which ones they would actually eat.

I chose two classics: Kraft and Annie’s Original. I also chose two that were higher in fiber & protein: Banza and Goodle. Then I threw in an Annie’s Vegan option and Annie’s 25% reduced-sodium. Here’s the video of their taste test:

Best Healthy Boxed Mac and Cheese

Let’s look at these six options I chose for the taste test in a little more detail. Note- I’m sure there are other great options. I tried to stick to brands that were widely available in the two grocery stores by my house, not specialty stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s etc.

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese

• 9 grams of protein
• 2 grams of fiber
• 560 mg sodium
• Kids liked it

Banza Mac & Cheese (Made w/ chickpea pasta)

• 15 grams protein
• 5 grams fiber
• 640 mg sodium
• Kids didn’t like it

Goodles (found at Target)

• 14 grams protein
• 6 grams fiber
• 590 mg sodium
• Kids didn’t like it

Annie’s Vegan Mac (Red Lentil Spirals)

• 11 grams protein
• 3 grams fiber
• 240 mg sodium
• Kids didn’t like it

Annie’s 25% Less Sodium

• 10 grams protein
• 2 grams fiber
• 400 mg sodium
• Kids liked it

Annie’s Original Macaroni & Classic Cheddar

• 9 grams protein
• 3 grams fiber
• 430 mg sodium
• Kids liked it

Mom tip – Don’t be fooled by the marketing like I was! I thought the Annie’s 25% less sodium meant 25% less than their original but it actually says 25% less than the leading brand and it only has 30mg less than the original Annies!

What is the best boxed mac and cheese brand?

Of course this will vary based on personal preference. To choose which is best for your family, pick a few things that are most important to you and focus on those – protein? fiber? sodium level? taste?

Which boxed mac and cheese is best for kids?

As a Registered Dietitian, these are my top picks to serve to my kids:

• Annie’s
• Banza
• Goodles

I found Annie’s to be the lowest in sodium and my kids like it. Both Banza and Goodles are higher in protein and fiber, but also higher in sodium…and my kids didn’t like them.

Mom tip – I love that Banza and Goodle are higher in both protein and fiber. Despite them also being higher in sodium, I still think they’re good options if your kids will eat them! I have heard from lot of people who really like Goodles specifically so I would try that one first.

Since this original post, they have also launched Annie’s Super! Mac, which is higher and protein and fiber. It’s also a bit higher in sodium but my kids love it.

Does boxed mac and cheese go bad?

Since it’s a shelf-stable food, it will generally last for several years. Remember that the expiration date is speaking to the quality, not the safety so in general it’s fine to eat it 1-2 years past the expiration date. It’s likely the packets of cheese that will go bad before the noodles.

How to make boxed mac and cheese better?

What’s the healthiest boxed mac and cheese option?

• Choose one with 500mg sodium or less per serving
• Try not using the whole packet of cheese
• Mix in Greek yogurt instead of butter for extra protein
• Look for whole wheat, whole grain or alternative noodle options for more fiber

Boxed mac and cheese food prep ideas:

Mac and cheese reheats well so it can be a great option for food prep. Try prepping a batch and using during the week:

• Reheat and mix in some leftover taco meat or chicken
• Stir in a bag of steamed vegetables and serve as a side dish with a lean protein. Broccoli and peas are often a great choice!
• Turn into Macaroni and Cheese Mufffins
• Food prep some pulled pork as well and pair with a salad for a quick and easy dinner!

Boxed Mac and Cheese Hacks

• To make it creamier, try using Greek yogurt. You can either add it right along with the milk instead of butter, or you can skip the milk and try just adding Greek yogurt. Adding less milk also makes it thicker and creamier.
• To turn it into a full meal, try adding leftover cooked chicken or some chicken sausage. You can also add cooked vegetables. One easy hack is to add some frozen peas to the water for the last few minutes of cooking the noodles.
• For a different cheese flavor, try using half the packet of cheese and mixing in some shredded cheese of your own.
• Try putting your own spin on it! Want pizza mac? Grab some white cheddar boxed mac, put it in a pan, top with a little pizza sauce, pepperoni and shredded mozzarella and broil for a couple minutes.
• Add some spices. Try mixing in a little garlic powder or paprika when you add the cheese.

Boxed Mac & Cheese Baked

Mom tip – Want to fool a crowd? Make boxed mac and cheese as directed, add any mix-ins you want, then put it in a baking pan, top with some extra shredded cheese and breadcrumbs and bake at 350 degrees Faherenheit for 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.

How To Make Mac & Cheese From A Box

If you’ve never made boxed mac and cheese, you can follow the directions on the box, which involves boiling water, adding the noodles and then draining them before adding cheese milk and sometimes butter.

Recently I’ve started making it a different way that involves adding the cheese, butter and noodles right at the very beginning before you even boil the water and I think it turns out much better. You can find directions for the TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe here.

Boxed Mac and Cheese in the Microwave

While I haven’t tried this myself beyond eating the Kraft microwavable cups in college, here are directions for how to make boxed mac and cheese in the microwave. The microwave gets the water hot enough to boil so it can cook the noodles, you just have to remember to stir frequently and there won’t be water to drain out at the end.

Instant Pot Box Mac and Cheese

If you have an instant pot, you can also use that to cook a box of mac and cheese. Add one cup water to the instant pot with butter and pasta. Cook 4 minutes, quick release and stir in cheese and milk. Here’s a whole post about how to cook instant pot box mac and cheese.

Can you make boxed mac and cheese without milk?

If you don’t have or don’t want to use milk, try saving 1/4 cup of the water you cooked the pasta in. You can also mix in cream, plain Greek yogurt or even cream cheese or sour cream instead of milk.

How to make box mac and cheese with ground beef?

This is a great way to use up leftover ground beef or turkey, taco meat, etc. Just cook the beef and stir it into the macaroni once you’ve mixed in the milk and cheese. Try adding a little taco seasoning for taco mac or just salt and pepper for some cheesy hamburger mac.

Boxed Mac and Cheese FAQs

Are there gluten-free mac and cheese brands?

Yes! Over the past few years, more and more brands have come out with gluten-free noodle options, made from things like brown rice, chickpeas and lentils and this has also increased the number of gluten-free mac and cheese options. Check out this post for some of the best gluten-free mac and cheese.

Which boxed mac and cheese has the most protein?

There are several brands out there with a decent amount of protein. Muscle Mac has 20g per serving. Banza has 16g per serving. Goodles has 14g per serving. And Annie’s SuperMac has 16g per serving.

What’s the best vegan boxed mac and cheese?

I’ve only tried one of the vegan options but there are plenty out there. Here are some of the Best Boxed Vegan Mac and Cheese options.

Can I add vegetables or protein to boxed mac and cheese?

Absolutely – it’s a great vehicle for transforming leftover chicken, steak or other protein into a new meal and an easy way to add vegetables would be to mix in some steamed or roasted vegetables at the end, or drop some frozen vegetables into the water for the last few minutes of cooking the noodles.

You can also mix in pureed vegetables like pumpkin or stir in some Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Can you make boxed mac and cheese with non-dairy milk?

Yes. You can replace cow’s milk with a milk alternative like soy milk, almond milk, etc.

How do I make boxed mac and cheese taste better?

A few ways to amp up the taste of boxed mac and cheese include adding additional seasonings – paprika, cayenne pepper, etc. You can also mix in some freshly grated cheese. Many people say not to skip the butter because it really helps with the flavor and also not to add too much milk.

Are there low-sodium boxed mac and cheese options?

Annie’s has a lower-sodium variety. It comes in a red box.

Which boxed mac and cheese option reheats best?

Most boxed mac and cheese varieties will become less creamy once they have been cooled and are then reheated. Often adding a splash of milk after reheating can help restore some of the creaminess.

Best Mac and Cheese From A Box

These are some of the best choices for boxed mac and cheese. They’re widely available, affordable and great for a quick, easy dinner.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay—

Looking for individually wrapped snacks for school, parties, sports games and more? Here are some healthy options from a Registered Dietitian.

*Originally published 9/2021. Updated 9/2025*

These healthy individually wrapped snacks are kid-friendly options to use for school snacks, classroom and birthday parties and sports team snacks. They’re simple, affordable and can often be purchased in bulk.

Hi friends!

I’m wrapping up my snack series with a post specifically dedicated to individually wrapped snacks. I shared several in my Healthy Amazon Snacks post but wanted to share some available from other stores as well. Single-serving snacks come in handy if you need to provide snacks for a whole classroom at school, for a sports team or party snacks, if you’re not allowed to send reusable containers and more.

Why You’ll Love These Individually Wrapped Snacks

There are lots of options out there for individual packages of cookies, chips and pretzels and I’ve included some of those. I also wanted to go beyond that and give you some healthy everyday options for both adults and kids. These snacks are:

• Relatively healthy – I try to choose options that are lower in added sugar and sodium
• Budget-friendly – Many can be purchased in bulk to save money since they’re shelf-stable and won’t get stale quickly!
• Kid-approved – Most of these are choices my own kids eat and enjoy!

These items would also be great in lunch boxes. If you need more lunch box ideas, check out this resource: A Month of Easy Packed Lunches For Kids.

If you’re looking for more snack ideas, check out:

• 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks For Kids
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks
• Healthy After School Snacks
• Healthy Toddler Snacks
• Healthy Fruit Snacks

What are the best individually wrapped snacks for kids?

There are a good number of individually wrapped snacks out there and over the past few years, several healthier options have been created. While buying in bulk and packaging into individual portions can often be more cost-effective, all parents can tell you that there are times when you just need the work done for you.

What individually wrapped snacks are nut-free?

It can be tricky to find nut-free snack options if that’s something your school requires. Here are some ideas:

Healthy Individually Wrapped Snacks For School

These are some of my favorite individually wrapped snacks for school that are safe for nut-free schools and classrooms:

• Made Good Granola Bites and Bar
• 88 Acres Bars
• Gogo Squeez
• Horizon Organic shelf-stable milk
• Skinny Pop
• That’s It Fruit Bar Minis
• Stonyfield yogurt tubes/pouches
• Chomplings Meat Sticks (aff link)
• Wholly Guacamole + chips
• String cheese
• Babybel cheese
• 8oz Lifeway kefir bottles/Probugs pouches
• Whisps cheese crisps
• Mama Chia pouches
• ZeeZees roasted sunflower kernels
• Nature’s Bakery Hearty Bars
• Fruit – apple, banana, clementine, fruit cups, raisins/sour raisins

Mom tip – If you want to send snack options to school that need to stay cold, we love these Pack-It Cool snack bags (aff link) that you can throw right in the freezer.

Which individually wrapped snacks are healthy?

There are lots of healthy options out there. When searching for snacks for my kids, I try to find options that have both protein and fiber to help keep them full or pair a carbohydrate snack with one that has some protein.

Here are some options that make good school snacks that are not nut-free or may be processed in a facility with nuts:

• Larabar Minis
• Kind Bar Minis
• RX Bar kids
• Clif Kid Z bars
• Clif Nut Butter Bars
• Single-serve nut butter packets + apple/banana
• Sabra hummus with pretzels
• Bada Bean Bada Boom
• Simple Mills soft baked bars

Some chips/crackers I’ve seen in single-serving packs:

• Simple Mills crackers
• Sun chips
• Hippeas
• Skinny pop
• Whisps

Mom tip – If your school doesn’t have super strict nut-restrictions and the food can’t contain nuts but being processed in a facility with nuts is ok, many of these brands of granola bars have flavors that are nut-free!

If you prefer to buy your snacks online, see the post below:
I rounded up a bunch of individually wrapped snacks you can order from Amazon: Healthy Amazon Snacks.

Which individually wrapped snacks for best for parties?

Need ideas for individually wrapped party snacks (or individually wrapped birthday treats)? Look for single-serving bags of things like:

• Rule Breaker cookies
• Gogosqueez fruit sauce/pudding
• Kirkland Trail mix
• Baked Lays Potato Chips
• Skinny Pop Popcorn
• Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars
• Chex Mix
• Popcorners
• Quaker Reduced Sugar granola bars
• Welch’s Reduced Sugar Fruit Snacks
• Annie’s Bunnies

What’s the best place to buy individually wrapped snacks in bulk?

Costco is a great option if you have one near you, along with other warehouse stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s etc. You can also look at online options like Amazon and even stores like Walmart sell bulk options. Shop around the stores available to you to find the best prices.

Healthy Individually Wrapped Snacks Costco

Here are some of my favorite Costco snacks that can be found in small bags:

Nut-free:

• Skinny Pop
• That’s It Fruit Bar Minis
• Made Good Granola Minis
• Country Archer Mini Beef Sticks
• Gogo Squeeze or fruit cups
• Cheese Sticks
• Babybel cheese
• Kirkland Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Wholly Guacamole or Made Good Foods Guacamole Minis
• Kirkland hummus singles/ Sabra singles with pretzels
• Whisps Cheese Crisps
• Sun Chips

Not nut-free:

• Trail Mix packets
• Clif Kid Z Bars
• Clif Nut Butter Bars
• Kind Minis
• Larabars
• Kirkland Cheese Fruit & Nut Packs

For a full list of Costco snacks I like, see this post: Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family

Healthy Trader Joe’s Individually Wrapped Snacks

Trader Joe’s has a lot of granola bars that are great options:

• Trader Joe’s Raises The Bar
• Trader Joe’s These Peanuts Went On A Date Bars
• Trader Joe’s ABC Bars
• Trader Joe’s Organic Hemp Seed Bars
• Trader Joe’s Organic Chia Bars
• Trader Joe’s This Coconut Brings Chocolate on a Date Bars
• Trader Joe’s Mixed Berry Granola Bites
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Frooze Balls
• Trader Joe’s Apple Carrot Fruit Sauce Crushers
• Trader Joe’s Squishers Yogurt Tubes
• Chomps Meat Sticks

For a full list of my favorite Trader Joe’s Snacks see this post: 35+ Best Trader Joe’s Snacks

Healthy Individually Wrapped Snacks Walmart

Need single-serving snacks from Walmart? Try these:

• Stonyfield Organic Kids yogurt cups
• Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles
• Frigo Combo Pack – Colby Jack cheese & turkey sticks
• Chobani drinkable yogurt
• Horizon Organic shelf-stable milk
• Great Value cheese sticks
• GogoSqueez Morning Smoothies
• Great Value Bursting Berry fruit pouches
• Freshness Guaranteed Mild Guacamole (great with plantain chips!)
• Wymans Just Fruit & Greek Yogurt Bites
• Mamma Chia Squeeze
• Great Value Unsweetened Applesauce
• Great Value Diced Fruit in 100% juice
• Belvita Soft Baked Cookies (a little higher in added sugar but also have some protein and fiber)
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Date & Nut Bars (very similar to Larabars)
• Happykid Bars
• KIND Dark Chocolate Chunk Bars
• KIND Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars
• KIND Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars
• Kashi Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bars
• Larabar Minis
• Simple Mills Dark Chocolate Almond Soft Baked Bars
• RX Kids Bars
• Chex Mix Multipack

Here’s a full list of the Best Healthy Walmart Snacks.

What are the best individually wrapped snacks for adults?

Most of my snack posts are focused on kids because I have 3 of them and I feel like I’m constantly feeding them snacks. But adults need snacks too. A few of my favorite single servings snacks:

• Larabars
• String cheese + That’s It Fruit Bar
• Kind Nut Butter Bars
• Skinny Pop + Kirkland Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Tuna Pouches + Simple Mills crackers
• Fruit with single-serve nut butter

Individually wrapped snacks FAQs

Are there gluten-free individually wrapped snacks?

Here are some of the best gluten-free snacks. Some of my favorites include:

• String cheese
• Beef sticks
• Yogurt
• Popcorn
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Protein or snack bars like Aloha, KIND, Larabar
• Trailmix

What individually wrapped snacks are high in protein?

Here’s a list of healthy high protein snack ideas. Some good options include:

• Cottage cheese or yogurt cups
• 8oz drinkable yogurt/kefir
• Cheese sticks
• Beef sticks
• Nut and seed mix
• Protein bars
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Tuna pouches

What individually wrapped snacks are good for travel and don’t need refrigeration?

Here are some healthy road trip snacks. Bars, meat sticks, individual trail mix packs and That’s It fruit bars are great for throwing into a purse or backpack.

What are the best low-sugar individually-wrapped snacks?

Plain yogurt, popcorn, beef sticks, nuts and seeds and protein chips can be good options. You can also look for bars and other snacks made with things like stevia, monk fruit etc vs real sugar.

Are there individually wrapped snacks for toddlers?

Here are some healthy snacks for toddlers. Some good options for that age include yogurt tubes and pouches, mini versions of full size granola bars, fruit pouches or bars made from 100% fruit, crackers with peanut butter, string cheese, etc.

These healthy individually wrapped snacks are great for both kids and adults. They’re budget-friendly, easy to find and taste great as well!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Looking for some of the best ALDI healthy snacks? Here are some top picks from a Registered Dietitian that both kids and adults will love.

*Published 4/23. Updated 7/25*

These are the best healthy snacks from ALDI for busy families. These snacks are nutritious, affordable and quick and easy to make and eat at home or on the go.

Hi friends!

Today we’re sharing some of the best healthy snacks at ALDI. If you have an ALDI near you, definitely take advantage! It is a hidden gem for some healthy and affordable options! Here are a few of our favorites.

Why You’ll Love These ALDI Healthy Snacks

• Affordable – One of the best things about ALDI is their affordable prices.
• Quick and easy – These snacks require minimal prep – perfect for busy moms.
• Nutritious – Healthy options you can feel good about feeding your family.
• Kid-friendly – These can be enjoyed by kids and adults.

As always, this is not an all-inclusive list and not everyone will agree with all the snacks on the list.

When I’m looking for snacks for my family, I try to focus on options that have at least 2g of both protein and fiber, as well as ones that are lower in added sugar. I typically aim for 6g of added sugar or less per serving but do make exceptions, especially if they have some protein and fiber.

If you’re looking for store-specific snacks, check out:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Healthy Snacks at Target

For more specific snack needs, check out:

• Healthy High Protein Snack Ideas
• Best Gluten-Free Snacks
• Best Frozen Waffles
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

Best Healthy ALDI Snacks

Healthy Whole Grains at ALDI

These whole-grain options are packed with fiber and some protein! Add your favorite cheese, deli meat, or nut butter to make a quick and easy sandwich, wrap, or waffle.

• Specially Selected Small Batch Sourdough bread (3g protein, 1g fiber, 0g sugar)
• L’oven Fresh 100% Whole Wheat Bread (3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar)
• L’oven Fresh 12 Grain Bread (5g protein, 3g fiber, 2g added sugar
• L’oven Whole Wheat Pitas (7g protein, 6g fiber, 1g added sugar)
• Breakfast Best Protein Waffles (12g protein, 3g fiber, 6g sugar *5g added sugar)

Best Healthy Chips & Crackers at ALDI

These crunchy snacks are a great way to add some fiber (and protein!) to a healthy snack. Dip your chips in some hummus or add some cheese to your crackers. Pair popcorn with nuts and seeds for a simple and satisfying snack. The coconut crisps pair great with some fruit and nut butter too!

• Simply Nature Coconut Cashew Crisps (3g protein, 3g fiber, 6g sugar *4g added sugar)
• Savoritz Cheddar Cheese Crisps-Gluten Free! (10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Savoritz Everything Almond Flour Crackers-Gluten Free! (7g protein, 2g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Savoritz Woven Whole Wheat Crackers (2g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Life GFree Sea Salt Brown Rice Crisps– Gluten Free! (2g protein, 3g fiber, <1g added sugar)
• Simply Nature Sea Salt Popcorn (3g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Simply Nature Black Bean Chips-Gluten Free! (5g protein, 5g fiber, <1g sugar)
• Simply Nature Multigrain Tortilla Chips (2g protein, 2g fiber, <1g sugar)
• Clancy’s Peanut Butter Pretzels (4g protein, 1g fiber, 2g sugar *1g added sugar)

Healthy Dairy and Dips at ALDI

These dairy and dip choices are a great way to spice up your snacks and add some protein! Add some granola to your yogurt or some fruit on top of cottage cheese for a fiber boost. Or dip veggies in some tzatziki sauce or hummus! Guacamole and Hummus are great vegan options if you want to give your snack time a twist. If you are in a pinch, Aldi’s snack packs are a great on-the-go choice packed with protein, fat, and fiber for a satisfying snack that will keep you full!

• Friendly Farms Plain Greek Yogurt (15g protein, 0g fiber, 2g sugar)
• Simply Nature Whole Milk Vanilla Yogurt – mix with half plain yogurt (6g protein, 0g fiber, 17g sugar *9g added sugar)
• Simply Nature String Cheese (7g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Lifeway Kefir (10g protein, 0g fiber, 18g sugar *8g added sugar)
• Select Snacks Snack Packs – cheese, nuts & dried fruit (8g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar *1g added sugar)
• Gourmet Snacking Cheese (5g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Friendly Farms Lowfat Cottage Cheese (13g protein, 0g fiber, 5g sugar)
• Guacamole Spicy Singles-Vegan (1g protein, 3g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus & Singles-Vegan (3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g sugar)
• Spinach Parmesan Tzatzki with Greek Yogurt (2g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar)

RD Mom tip- Dips are a great way to get kids to eat things they may be more hesitant about like vegetables! Keep trying until you find a dip they like!

Best ALDI Healthy Granolas & Cereals

These scrumptious granolas and cereals can be great for breakfast or a snack! Both granola and cereal go great with yogurt or even homemade trail mix. If you’re in a pinch a granola bar is an easy option, just be sure to watch out for added sugars!

• Millville Cinamon Granola Crunch (2g protein, 2g fiber, 6g added sugar)
• Elevation Pure and Simple Fruit and Nut Bars-Gluten Free & Vegan! (4g protein, 4g fiber, 18g sugar *0g added sugar)
• Elevation Only Nuts & Sea Salt with Dark Chocolate (6g protein, 7g fiber, 6g sugar *5g added sugar)
• Millville Crispy Oats (5g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Simply Nature Ginger Cranberry Coconut Clusters (2g protein, 5g fiber, 4g sugar *3g added sugar)
• Bear Naked Bites Honey Oat (3g protein, 6g fiber, 5g added sugar)
• Millville Original Balance Multigrain Cereal – *8g added sugar, mix with lower sugar (4g protein, 3g fiber, 8g sugar)

RD mom tip – If I’m serving yogurt with mix-ins, I start with plain yogurt and then let the sweetness come from additions like fresh fruit and granola!

Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a great and easy snack. You can add some dried fruit to make your own trail mix or sprinkle some on top of yogurt. Simple peanut butter and jelly is always a great choice too! If you’re on the go, the 100 calories snack packs are a great choice, just be sure to pair them with some fruit or veggies to make a satisfying snack that will keep you full!

• Southern Grove 100 Calorie Almonds and Walnuts (3g protein, 2g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Southern Grove Unwind Trail Mix + other varieties, look for low added sugar (4g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar *4g added sugar)
• Southern Grove Seed & Raisin Trail Mix (5g protein, 2g fiber, 5g sugar)
• Simply Nature Omega Trail Mix (5g protein, 2g fiber, 6g sugar *5g added sugar)
• Simply Nature Peanut Butter (8g protein, 3g fiber, 2g sugar)

Healthy Protein Snacks Aldi

Every well-rounded snack needs protein. It helps keep you full and provides your body energy. These high-protein snacks are great to add to a fiber-rich snack like crackers or veggies. You can even make a quick sandwich too. If you need a snack that is a little larger, Aldi has some great frozen meals too!

• Simms Smoked Beef Biltong (16g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Aldi Oven Classic Deli Sliced Turkey (13g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Never Any! Chicken Breakfast Sausage (5g protein, 0g fiber, 3g added sugar)
• Egglife Egg Wraps (5g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl (16g protein, 8g fiber, 3g sugar)
• Black Bean Salad (4g protein, 3g fiber, 3g sugar *1g added sugar)
• Simply Nature Peppered Beef Jerky (9g protein, 0g fiber, 6g added sugar)
• Simms Artisan Jerky Aloha Teriyaki (9g protein, 0g fiber, 7g sugar)

Hopefully this post has given you a few new ideas!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

A list of 50+ healthy packaged snacks for busy parents who are looking for some new ideas. Healthy store bought snacks when homemade snacks aren’t an option.

*Originally published March 2018. Updated July 2025*

These are some of the best healthy packaged snacks for kids and adults. They are nutritious, affordable and kid-friendly. They can be packed in lunch boxes as well and are great options for families trying to make healthy food choices.

Hi Friends!

You guys know I’m a huge fan of making healthy homemade snacks, but there are times when store-bought, prepackaged options are both handy and necessary. We all know there are times when we need some individually wrapped snacks.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Packaged Snacks

• Easy to find – most of these should be available at your local grocery store
• Variety- It can be easy to fall into a snack rut so here are lots of options to try
• Affordable – Lots of budget-friendly options
• Nutritious – Plenty of nutrient-dense choices with protein and fiber
• Kid-friendly – Snacks that are both healthy and tasty!

Note- if you’re looking for store-specific snacks, I have you covered:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Healthy Snacks At Target
• Best ALDI Snacks

Healthy Packaged Snacks Notes:

• This is not a sponsored post. None of these companies asked to be included or even knew I was putting this post together.
• While I originally intended this round-up to be geared towards kids, there are a lot of things adults could enjoy as well.
• We have not tried all of these. I repeat – I have not personally tried all of these, nor have my kids. I have no idea if my kids like them all and have no doubt there are some they would not eat.

This list is meant to provide inspiration. Everyone is free to make their own choices and have their own opinions

What Are The Healthiest Packaged Snacks For Adults and Kids?

RD mom tip – When I’m looking for snacks for my kids, I try to choose options that have at least 3 grams of protein and/or fiber and less than 5-6 grams of added sugar. Total sugar may be higher due to naturally occurring sugar.

Healthy Chips and Crackers

Everyone loves a crunchy snack! These options are kid-friendly, low in added sugar and can be paired with sliced cheese or a healthy dip for a more satisfying snack! Check out this post for more of my favorite Healthy Crackers For Kids and Adults. My personal favorite are Crunchmaster crackers but there are too many visible seeds for my kids to enjoy them.

• Triscuits thin crisps – 3g of protein, 4g of fiber, 0g added sugar – easier for kids to chew than regular Triscuits
• Sun chips- 2g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Plentils -3g protein, 1g fiber, 0g added sugar
• RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Simple Mills Pop’Ems – 2g protein, 1g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Simple Mills Crackers – 3g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar

Keep in mind many of these come in different flavors and the nutrition info may vary!

Healthy Crunchy Snacks

Here are more snack ideas that can provide that satisfying crunch for both kids and adults.

• Hippeas Pops – 3g protein, 2g fiber, <1g added sugar – They also make puffs and chips
• Trail Mix – 5g protein, 3g fiber, 6g added sugar -There are endless trail mix options so nutrition facts will vary but this is a great option because you can find one customized to your liking.
• The Only Bean Edamame – 14g protein, 5g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Whisps – 10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Seaweed snacks – 1g protein, 1 g fiber, 0g added sugar – Similar to kale chips, these won’t be for everyone but can still be a good option for some added nutrients
• Harvest Snaps Crunchy Loops – 4g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar – They have crisps, loops and puffs in a variety of flavors

RD Mom Tip- Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks and has a little protein and fiber. Try adding it to trail mix. If you have younger kids, popcorn cakes can be a good option to reduce choking risk.

Healthy Granola Bars for Kids

What are the healthiest granola bars for kids and adults?

These are some of my favorite kid-friendly granola bar options for kids when I don’t want to turn to a protein bar like would for an adult. These are all lower in added sugar and have some protein and fiber. Here are more of the Best Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars For Kids. For adults, one of my favorite options is Aloha Bars – I love that they don’t have stevia. 88 Acres and Go Macro also have some good options.

• 88 Acres Nut & Seed Bars -6g protein, 3g fiber, 5g added sugar
• Clif Nut Butter Bars – 7g protein, 3g fiber, 6g added sugar
• Larabar Trail Mix Bars – 4g protein, 2g fiber, 4g added sugar. I also like their regular bars
• Skout Organic – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar – They have both kid snack bars and protein bars
• Kind Soft Baked Squares – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 7g added sugar – Good for those who don’t want a super chewy or crunchy option. Kind also has some good chewy nut-based bars
• Simple Mills Soft Baked Bars -4g protein, 2g fiber, 6g added sugar

Healthy Cereals

Cereal has always been one of my favorite snacks and doesn’t just have to be for breakfast. Pair with milk to add some extra protein or mix some into your favorite trail mix or yogurt. Here are more Lower Sugar Cereals For Kids.

• Puffins – 3g protein, 3g fiber, 6g added sugar
• Love Grown – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 8g added sugar – love that these are made with beans!
• Cascadian Farms Purely O’s – 4g protein, 4g fiber, <1g added sugar
• Wheat Chex – 6g protein, 8g fiber, 6g added sugar – There are also plain rice and corn options
• Nature’s Path Heritage Flakes – 5g protein, 7g fiber, 5g added sugar
• Kix -3g protein, 3g fiber, 4g added sugar

RD Mom tip – If you’re having trouble getting your kids to enjoy lower sugar cereals, mixing them with a little of their favorite cereal so it’s more half and half can be a good way to slowly cut back on added sugar.

Healthy Dairy and Refrigerated Snacks

Dairy can be a great source of protein for both kids and adults and you don’t have to eat it plain. There are some good lower-sugar flavor options out there.

• Lifeway Kefir – 10g protein, 0g fiber, 8g added sugar – They have 8oz bottles and you can also check out Probugs pouches for kids
• Babybel Cheese – 4g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar – pair with crackers!
• Stonyfield Yogurt Pouches – 5g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar – look for the no added sugar options!
• Breakstone Cottage Doubles – 13g protein, 0g fiber, 4g added sugar
• String cheese – 7g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Chobani Less Sugar – 12g protein, 0g fiber, 5g added sugar – this is one of the best flavored yogurt options I’ve found. Siggi’s also has good options

How can I transition my kids to healthier packed snack options?

RD Mom tip- If you’re trying to adjust your kids to lower sugar options – start by mixing their favorite yogurt, milk, kefir with plain and slowly increase the amount of plain. Some with things like cereal – start with a mix of higher and lower sugar favorites.

High Fiber Snacks

Almost everyone could use more fiber in their diet and snacks can be a great time to add some to your day! Even a few grams here and there can help. Here are a few options:

• Mama Chia Squeeze – 2g protein, 3g fiber, 5g added sugar
• Mush – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 0g added sugar
• KIND bars – 4g protein, 6g fiber, 7g added sugar – several of their nut-based bars are high in fiber
• Biena Roasted Chickpeas – 6g protein, 6g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Beanitos – 4g protein, 4g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Ground Flax – Add this to your yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, even sprinkle onto peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

Kid-Friendly Fruit Snacks

What are healthy fruit-based snacks that aren’t full of sugar?

While plain fresh, canned, dried frozen fruit is my favorite option, there are some packaged fruit snacks and alternatives that are good options. I’ve listed some below but check out this post as well for more Healthy Fruit Snacks and Alternatives.

• Figgy Pops – 3g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar
• That’s It Fruit Bars – 1g protein, 4g fiber, 0g added sugar – pair with a protein source!
• Freeze-dried fruit – 2g protein, 6g fiber, 0g added sugar- great to add to trail mix
• Bear Fruit Rolls – 0g protein, 4g fiber, 0g added sugar – the also have sour varieties
• Peeled Snacks – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Bare Apple Chips – 0g protein, 4g fiber, 0g added sugar

RD mom tip – Fruit is a great snack and many options contain no added sugar, but fruit does naturally contain sugar and it’s best to pair fruit with a source of protein or healthy fats to give it more staying power!

High Protein Snacks

What high protein snacks help keep you full?

Protein is one component that should be included in almost all snacks – along with fiber and/or healthy fats. It helps with muscle-building, recovery and satiety – all good things! These are some of my favorite for kids. Look here for more of my favorite Healthy High Protein Snack Ideas for adults.

• Hb eggs – 6g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Chomps – 10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Kodiak Power Waffles – 12g protein, 3g fiber, 4g added sugar
• Aloha Protein Minis – 6g protein, 2g fiber, 1g added sugar – can be a good snack option for elementary and older kids
• Deli meat turkey – 12g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar – Look for a brand like Dietz and Watson that’s made with just turkey, salt and spices
• Balanced Breaks – 7g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar – The raisin option is my favorite!

Snacks with Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are a great addition to daily snacks. For kids they are important for growth and development. For adults, they can be a good source of nutrients like omega-3’s and also help make snacks more satisfying.

• Wholly Guacamole Minis – 1g protein, 3g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Sabra Smart Snacks – 10g protein, 7g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Cinnamon and sugar Superseedz – 7g protein, 2g fiber, 3g added sugar
• Honey Smoked Salmon – 13g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Aussie Bites -2g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Once Again Peanut Butter Packets – 8g protein, 2g fiber, 0g added sugar – great to pair with fruit or crackers

Healthy Packaged Snacks FAQs

What are the best nut-free snacks for schools and workplaces?

I know from experience that finding nut-free snacks for schools can be challenging. I put together the Ultimate List of Peanut-Free and Tree Nut-Free Packaged Snacks with lots of ideas for you.

What are some crunchy snacks that are actually good for you?

My favorite crunchy snacks to reccomend are raw veggies, nuts and seeds and trail mix. Kale chips, homemade crackers, roasted chickpeas and edamame are also great. Here are some more ideas for Healthy Crunchy Snacks.

Are there healthy savory packaged snacks that aren’t chips?

Yes! Some of my favorites include roasted chickpeas, roasted edamame, kale chips, and harvest snaps. Crunchmasters multiseed crackers, raw veggies with a packaged dip, trail mix, popcorn and savory granola bars are also good choices.

What are good healthy snacks for travel and long commutes?

Eating in the car or while commuting is unavoidable at times. Here’s a list of Healthy Road Trip Snacks including things like fresh fruits and veggies, cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs and yogurt in the cooler and crackers, trail mix, muffins, jerky, granola bars and more in the snack bag! And if you have younger kids, here’s a list of Low Mess Snacks For Kids.

Can toddlers and younger kids have packaged snacks safely?

Yes! But there are definitely choking hazards to be aware of including round foods like grapes and hot dogs, raw veggies, marshmallows, hard candy, popcorn and more. Here are some Healthy Snacks for Toddlers.

What snacks offer a good balance of protein, fiber and healthy fats?

A few of my favorites include apple with peanut butter and a cheese stick, crackers with guacamole and a beef stick, high fiber muffin and a yogurt, and homemade trail mix with low sugar cereal, popcorn, nuts and dried fruit.

What are the best store bought snacks for school lunches or work?

If you need ideas for school lunches, you’ll love my guide: A Month of Packed Lunches for Kids including full color pictures and tons of ideas for both lunches and snacks.

What are the best packaged snacks for busy professionals or parents?

I’ve got a whole list of snack ideas that are gerat for At Work and After-Work Snacks, including some non-perishable ideas like tuna pouches with crackers, beef sticks, protein bars, roasted nuts and more.

That’s it for now! I’ll keep adding as I find more! If you liked this post, be sure to share and pin it for later!

Healthy Pre Packaged Snacks

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Are you looking for healthy fruit snacks or fruit snack alternatives for your kids? Here are some recommendations from a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3.

*Published 6/2023. Updated 7/2025.*

Hi friends!

I’ve got another highly requested “best of store-bought” post for you today! Today we’re talking all things fruit snacks. I’m sharing some of my top choices for fruit snacks and fruit snack alternatives and answering some frequently asked questions.

But first, in case you’ve missed any of the other posts in this series, you can check them out below:

Snacks from certain stores:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Best Healthy Snacks at Target

Types of snacks:

• Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks
• High Protein Snack Ideas
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Healthy Frozen Waffles
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Fruit Snacks

• Variety – everything from traditional fruit snacks to dried fruit
• Kid-friendly – almost all kids like fruit
• Lots of options and lternatives – lots of options if you’re looking for something besides traditional fruit snacks
• Dried fruit is a nutritious option for the sweet treat kids love without added sugar

Scroll to the bottom for a video of a taste test with my kids and see which fruit snack alternatives were our favorite!

What to look for in fruit snacks

While I don’t recommend typical fruit snacks as an everyday food, there’s nothing wrong with having them as an occasional treat. Here are a few things to note:

• Remember that they are indeed more of a treat than a fruit. In most fruit snacks, the first ingredient is sugar or corn syrup and there are usually 12+ grams of added sugar per serving.
• Look for options that have no artificial flavors, synthetic colors or high fructose corn syrup.

If you’re looking for an alternative, look for an option with fruit or 100% fruit juice as the first ingredient that contains no or low amounts of added sugar.

Fruit snack alternatives can be a healthy snack option that’s convenient for on the go, has some vitamins and minerals and even counts towards your daily fruit intake if you choose the right one! Some options also contain a few grams of fiber!

Are fruit snacks healthy?

Traditional fruit snack companies are really good at marketing and playing up their strengths but it’s important to look at the ingredients and nutrition label. You might find your favorites contain a fair amount of corn syrup and sugar, as well as artificial colors like red40 and blue1.

In addition, some are made with fruit juice concentrate. This is basically like fruit juice with the water removed and is similar to the difference between dried fruit and fresh fruit.

So while it’s still fruit, it’s a more concentrated version and there will be more of the naturally occurring sugars that are found in fruit. Companies also often add sugar to fruit juice concentrates to make them sweeter. Many people consider fruit juice concentrate another form of added sugar.

RD mom tip – See if you can find an option with fruit as the first ingredient and fruit juice concentrate lower on the ingredient list.

Here’s an article with more on this topic.

Can fruit snacks be part of a healthy diet? Absolutely. But I recommend treating many of them more like a dessert than a fruit.

Best Fruit Snacks Brands

So what are the best fruit snack brands?

Traditional fruit snacks

Many people reach for the following out of the “traditional fruit snack options” because they have some real fruit juice in them.

• Annie’s Organic Fruit Snacks – These do have some real fruit juice in them and avoid artificial flavors, synthetic colors and high fructose corn syrup. They’re also organic and vegan if that’s important to you. However, the first 3 ingredients are still sugar and they contain 12g of added sugar.
• Black Forest Fruit Snacks – These also contain real fruit juice but the first 2 ingredients are sugar and they have 11g added sugar. But they are organic, have no high fructose corn syrup and don’t use synthetic colors.
• Yum Earth Fruit Snacks – Again, the first couple of ingredients are sugar, they contain 12g of added sugar but there’s no high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes and they are allergy-friendly, vegan and organic.

RD mom tip – Be sure to read the labels. Don’t be fooled by creative marketing whose job it is to make you believe these are as healthy as actual fruit.

Better fruit snack options

Here are some options to consider that still resemble a fruit snack but have less added sugar:

• Solely Organic Whole Fruit Gummies (aff link) – Made with just 3 ingredients: mango, orange extract and Vitamin C. They have no added sugar and contain 1 serving of fruit per bag.
• Chum Fruit Bites – No added sugar. Made with just fruit.
• Bear Fruit Minis – No added sugar. Made with just fruit and black carrot extract.
• Barnana Bites – Chewy banana bites made with just banana and banana powder.
• Eat The Change Cosmic Carrot Chews – The first ingredient is carrots. The remaining ingredients are apple juice concentrate, natural flavors and citric acid and they have 2g of added sugar.
• Plum Organic Teensy Snacks – The first ingredients are apple puree concentrate and apple juice concentrate. They have 4g of added sugar.
• Thrive Market Organic Fruit Circles – Contain no added sugar

RD Mom tip – looks can be important to kids so these are good options if your kid really wants fruit snacks like their friends!

Healthier Fruit Snack Alternatives

One of the best options to consider as a fruit snack alternative is dried fruit. Dried fruit is real fruit that contains tons of vitamins and minerals like fresh fruit, but the water has been removed making it more shelf stable and great for on-the-go snacks.

It’s important to remember that fruit does still contain sugar, though it’s naturally occurring. And that dried fruit has the water removed which means the sugar is more concentrated and the portions are smaller.

Also, watch for added sugar. There are plenty of options out there for unsweetened dried fruit but some companies are still adding extra sugar to make it even sweeter.

Dried Fruit Snacks and Dried Whole Fruit

Here are some dried fruit snack options:

• Raisins – My oldest loves the SunMaid sour raisins that come in a few different flavors.
• Dried Blueberries – We get these from Nuts.com to add to trail mix. They have a great selection of dried fruit.
• Dates – We love brands like Natural Delights and Joolies. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces.
• Prunes – Sunsweet sells ones already diced or you can cut into small bite-sized pieces.
• Rind Snacks – Dried fruit with the rinds/peels left on for even more nutrients
• Unsweetened dried fruit– we like Peeled and Made in Nature but there are tons of options out there for unsweetened dried mango, pineapple, apples, cherries etc. Made in Nature also makes Figgy Pops with dried fruit, nuts and seeds.
• Bare chips – A crunchy option for apple, banana and coconut chips.
• Freeze-dried fruit – Available everywhere this can be a great option to add to trail mix, use as a yogurt topping, eat as finger food for toddlers, etc.
• Fruit Bliss – Dried fruit that’s then steamed in water to rehydrate and make it juicy!

RD mom tip – Remember that can cut larger pieces of dried fruit like mangos, apples, peaches etc into smaller pieces so they are bite-sized and still resemble fruit snacks.

Fruit Strips & Fruit Leather

Fruit strips and fruit leather can be another great option. Here are some options made with just fruit. Some are made with fruit juice concentrate and have a few grams of added sugar but still less than most traditional fruit snacks.

• Stretch Island Fruit Leather (aff link) – No added sugar.
• Organic 365 Fruit Strips – No added sugar.
• WildMade Veggie Go’s Fruit Strips (aff link) – Made with fruit purees, no added sugar and some veggies.
• Simple Truth Organic Fruit & Veggie Strips – Made with fruit juice concentrate. 3g added sugar.
• Good & Gather Fruit Strips – Made with fruit juice concentrate. 4g added sugar.

RD mom tip – If your kids see their friends packing fruit by the foot or fruit rollups, they might like some of these options that are similar but made with less added sugar!

Fruit Rolls and Fruit Ropes

There’s just something really fun about being able to unroll your snack! These are some options for fruit rolls and ropes. Most are made with fruit as the first ingredient and no added sugar

• Bear Fruit Rolls – Made with fruit, no added sugar.
• Froot Thief (aff link) – The first ingredient is apples, with no added sugar.
• Peaceful Fruits Fruit Tape – the first ingredient is fruit, with no added sugar
• Good and Gather Twisted Fruit Ropes – Made with fruit juice concentrate, 5g added sugar.

Fruit Bars

These snack bars are fruit-focused and you can cut them into small bite-sized pieces as a fruit snack replacement!

• That’s It Mini Fruit Bars – Made with just fruit. 0g added sugar.
• Larabar Minis – The fruit-based flavors are made with just dates, nuts and dried fruit like cherries, blueberries, etc. They have 0g added sugar.
• Skout Organic Bars – Made with dates, dried fruit, sunflower seed butter, and sunflower seed protein powder. 0g added sugar.
• Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars – Made with just fruit juice concentrates, these have 4g added sugar
• Zego Sunny Day Fruit and Veggie Bars – Made with fruit puree, fruit concentrate and mushroom powder for Vitamin D. They have 3g added sugar.

I rounded up several of the options mentioned above that I could find local to me and had my older two kids do a little taste test. Watch it here:

I tried them all with them. Some of them we all agreed were not our favorites like the cosmic carrot chews, solely and rind. Their very favorites are just plain dates and raisins. Chase also likes the flavored and sour raisins and the Bear fruit rolls and I really liked the that’s it bars. The Stretch Island, Simply Organic and Pure Organic Layered were ok and we can see some kids liking them. Lara bars are also worth a try but we did not like the cherry pie flavor.

Fruit Snacks FAQs

Are fruit snacks healthy?

As stated above, traditional fruit snacks should be treated more like desserts. Here are the ingredients in some of the most popular fruit snacks so you can see how the first several ingredients in most of them is various forms of sugar.

Welch’s uses fruit puree but also adds red 40 and blue 1 so you have to weigh what’s most important to you when choosing your fruit snacks.

Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snack Ingredients: Fruit puree (grape, peach, orange, strawberry and raspberry), corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, modified tapioca starch, gelatin, concord grape juice from concentrate, pectin, citric acid (acidulant), lactic acid, natural and artificial flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitamin A palmitate, sodium citrate, coconut oil, carnauba wax, annatto (color), turmeric (color), red 40, and blue 1.

Mott’s Fruit Snacks

Mott’s Fruit Snacks Ingredients: Corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, pear juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, strawberry puree, carrot juice concentrate. Contains 2% or less of: fruit pectin, citric acid, Vitamin C, dextrose, sodium citrate, malic acid, potassium citrate, sunflower oil, vegetable and fruit juice added for color, natural flavor, carnauba wax.

Annie’s Fruit Snacks

Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snack Ingredients: Organic Rice Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Water, Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Organic Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Color (organic black carrot, organic black currant extracts), Organic Carnauba Wax.

Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks

Scooby Doo Fruit Flavored Snack Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Apple Juice Concentrate. Contains 2 % or less of: Citric Acid, Pectin, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Sunflower Oil†, Color (vegetable juice, spirulina extract, fruit juice, annatto extract, turmeric extract), Natural Flavor, Carnauba Wax.

Black Forest Fruit Snacks

Black Forest Organic Fruit Flavored Snacks Berry Medley: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Tapioca Starch, Organic Apple Puree, Gelatin, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Black Carrot Juice Concentrate (Color), Organic Sunflower Oil*, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Organic Carnauba Wax

Can you make homemade fruit snacks?

Yes! There are lots of recipes out there if you’re willing to give homemade fruit snacks a try! Here are a few to check out:

• Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks from Dessert for Two
• Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks from Joy Food Sunshine
• Homemade Fruit Gummies from My Kids Lick the Bowl

Bulk Fruit Snacks

Homemade fruit snacks would be a great option if you’re looking to make a large quantity. You can buy cute fruit-shaped molds if you want, or you could make a large pan and cut them out with small cutters. Or, make it even easier by just cutting them into small squares!

This would be fun for a party or gathering with kids.

Where to buy fruit snacks?

Fruit snacks are widely available but two of the stores I’ve been specifically asked about the best choices at are Costco and Walmart:

Costco Fruit Snacks

Here are a few choices available at Costco:

• That’s It Mini Fruit Bars
• Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars
• Sunsweet Dried Plums
• Made In Nature – figs, dried mangoes etc
• Bear Fruit Rolls
• Bare Apple Chips

Fruit snacks Walmart

A few options from Walmart:

• Bear Fruit Rolls
• Black Forest Stretch Island Fruit Strips
• Raisels Golden Raisin Sours
• Great Value Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps
• Great Value prunes, raisins etc.
• Natural Delights Dates
• Oh Nuts and Sincerely Nuts Dried Fruit
• Made in Nature
• That’s It Fruit Bars
• Pure Organic Layered Bars
• Larabars

These healthy fruit snacks and alternatives can be a nutritious snack option made with real fruit to replace regular fruit snacks and other options that are higher in added sugar.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

If you have a picky eater and are looking to expand their world by introducing them to some new foods and flavors, here’s a list of 75 new foods to try!

*Originally published 9/23. Updated 6/25*

Hi friends!

Over the summer I decided it was time to get my kids excited again about trying new healthy foods at home. But not just healthy foods. We started a chart for each of them and wrote down and celebrated everything new that they tried – even things like desserts and types of candy.

The goal was not to get them to try specific foods, it was just to get them excited about trying new things in general and to find some new and exciting ingredients to cook with! Their list included everything from pound cake and candy to fruits and vegetables to multigrain chips. If they hadn’t tried it before and were willing to take a bite, it went on the list!

I also had them record their response – a smiley face for like it, a check mark for just ok, and an x for no thank you.

New Foods To Try With Kids

It was fun to watch their excitement grow as their list grew, and since there are 3 of them, there was often a little friendly competition to see who could try the most things to add to their lists.

When I shared this on Instagram, I had a lot of people interested in a list of new foods for their kids to try. Something they could use as a starting point to get ideas for introducing new foods to their kids. So I made one!

There are no set rules about the best ways to try new foods. Pick a day and try a whole bunch at once, or set a goal to try one new ingredient a week!

How Can I Introduce My Kids To New Foods

One of the best ways to get kids interested in trying new foods is to let them pick! Watch cooking shows, take them to the grocery store, flip through cookbooks and let them choose things that look interesting or yummy to them. Then do some research together to figure out the best way to use the ingredients.

Another option is to pick one thing and try it multiple ways. Say you’re going to try broccoli – make some roasted, some steamed, some sauteed, and some raw with dip and let them try all of them and rate their favorites!

Foods To Expand Your Palate

If the bigger list seems overwhelming and you’re specifically looking to expose a kiddo to a certain type of food to broaden their horizons, here are some categories you could start with:

10 New Vegetables To Try

If you’re looking to start with vegetables, here are 10 new vegetables to try. These extend beyond what seem to be the typical first veggies for kids- carrots, corn, sweet potato, peas, etc.

Romaine Lettuce

• A good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin K and it’s super crunchy.
• For a lot of kids, romaine can be a good gateway lettuce into salads.
• Cut into larger chunks and encourage them to pick them up with their fingers and dip in salad dressing!

Snap Peas

• Provide some Vitamin C and fiber.
• These can be fun for kids to explore. Have them crunch into them whole, or peel them open, count the peas inside, taste the peas etc!

Butternut Squash

• High in Vitamin A and C and magnesium.
• Yellow and orange veggies have been shown to be particularly effective at protecting against heart disease.
• Cube it and make this Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon.
• Puree and use in these Chocolate Squash Muffins.
• Or try adding it to Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.

Red Bell Peppers

• A great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A and they have some fiber.
• They’re naturally a bit sweet and be eaten both raw and cooked.
• Try serving them raw with a dressing or dip for dipping, adding finely diced bell peppers as a pizza topping.
• Roast them to make a sauce like this Red Pesto For Babies and Toddlers.
• Or make a grilled cheese sandwich with roasted red peppers!

Pumpkin

• Contains antioxidants and is a good source of Vitamin A and has some fiber!
• Pumpkin is most commonly found canned in grocery stores and can be used in a variety of ways.
• Add it to baked goods like this Pumpkin Bread or Maple Pumpkin Bars for breakfast.
• Mix it into breakfast favorites like Pumpkin Pancakes or Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal.
• Or try it in more savory recipes like Pumpkin Pizza Rolls.
• It mixes well into sauces for things like Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, or One Pot Pumpkin Pasta.

Cabbage

• Has some fiber and is a good source of Vitamin K and Vitamin C.
• Kids might like it because it’s crunchy!
• You can turn it into a slaw and add it to tacos.
• Try it raw in this Kid-Friendly Chopped Cabbage Salad.
• Or cook or roast it in things like Roasted Cabbage Wedges, Fried Cabbage with Apples & Bacon or One Pot Cabbage Lasagna.

Jicama

• Great source of vitamin C and high in fiber.
• High in inulin which is a prebiotic fiber that can be used by the healthy bacteria in your gut!
• Here’s a little more about it and some jicama recipe ideas.
• An easy way to try it is to peel and cut into sticks and use them for scooping up your favorite dip, guacamole, hummus etc!
• Or try Jicama Fries in the oven or air fryer.

Cauliflower

• High in fiber, Vitamin C and folate. Also a source of choline!
• Doesn’t have a super strong flavor so you can mix it with things kids enjoy like cheese in these Cheesy Cauliflower Nuggets.
• Add it to a Toddler Smoothie with Hidden Veggies or oatmeal like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cauliflower Oatmeal.
• Try Cauliflower Pizza Crust.
• Combine with eggs in these Cauliflower Cheese Egg Muffins.

Mushrooms

• Technically a fungus but is often considered a vegetable. Good source of Vitamin D and potassium!
• If your kids have tried them cooked and don’t love them, slice them up and let them try them raw.
• They mix well into pasta, especially if you chop them up small. Try this One Pot Creamy Mushroom Orzo or this Vegan Cream of Mushroom Pasta.
• Chop them up finely and mix with ground beef or turkey next time you’re making taco meat or mix some in next time you make burgers!
• Saute in butter with a little garlic powder and salt as a side dish for chicken or steak.

Broccoli

• High in fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron and potassium.
• Let the kids cut apart the tiny trees and sprinkle water on the trees before eating them.
• Serve raw with dip or steamed with cheese sauce for dipping.
• Grate into “broccoli sprinkles” and add to pizza.
• Roast it to make this Easy Crispy Broccoli.
• Try this Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup.
• Add to Pizza Rolls.
• Try broccoli slaw instead of regular broccoli. Add it to noodle-based dishes like this Instant Pot Peanut Noodles.

11 New Fruits To Try

A lot of kids start with fruits like strawberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas, peaches and pears but there are so many other great fruit options out there that provide important nutrients and taste great as well!

Mango

• A good source of Vitamin C and contains Vitamin A and folate. They’re also a good source of both soluble and unsoluble fiber.
• A fun kitchen activity for kids is learning how to cut a mango. Cut some up and eat it plain or try it in some mango salsa!
• Learn how to select a ripe mango and make some Mango Chia Jam.
• If they don’t like fresh mango, try dried mango strips.
• Need more ideas? Here are 50 Healthy Mango Recipes for Kids

Plantains

• They look like bananas but are typically cooked before serving. They’re green when unripe and turn yellowish/black as they ripen.
• Green plantains are starchy and similar to potatoes. As they ripen they get sweeter.
• They’re a source of resistant startch which acts as a prebiotic to feed your good gut bacteria.
• They contain fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
• Try making plantain chips (or buying some at the store to try!)
• You can also make plantain pancakes, sticky sweet fried plantains or oven baked plantains.

Kiwi

• They come in two colors so be sure to try them both – green and yellow gold! Learn more about the differences here.
• A good source of Vitamin C and fiber. Most of the fiber is in the skin – yes you can eat it!
• Also a good source of Vitamin E and prebiotics.
• Try them raw. They’re great to pack in lunch boxes! Or make these Easy Kiwi Pops.
• Change things up and try this roasted salmon with kiwi salsa.

Cantaloupe

• Has a high water content so can aid hydration.
• Good sources of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and potassium.
• Kids love using a melon baller to scoop out balls of cantaloupe to eat!
• Try adding it to a cantaloupe smoothie.
• You can make grilled cantaloupe!
• It pairs well with prosciutto to make a melon prosciutto salad with mozzarella.

Fresh Cherries

• There are several different varieties. Bing and Rainier are great for eating fresh as a snack.
• Good sources of vitamin C.
• Buy a $5 cherry pitter and let the kids go to town pitting the cherries before they snack on them.
• Try them in these Cherry Oat Bars.
• Make a Cherry Limeade or add them to a Cherry Smoothie Bowl.
• You can also add them to muffins, oatmeal etc. similar to the way you add other berries. Try this Easy Berry Cherry Baked Oatmeal.

Fresh Cranberries

• Good sources of Vitamin C. High in antioxidants, especially phenols and anthocyanins. Many consider them a superfruit.
• You can also try them dried but keep in mind dried cranberries often have added sugar.
• This Fresh Cranberry Sauce is great on oatmeal, waffles etc as a change from regular jelly.
• Add a little tartness to sweet muffins like these Fresh Cranberry Muffins.
• For savory options try this Cranberry Chicken Recipe or this Cheesy Turkey and Cranberry Monkey Bread.

Pineapple

• Rich in Vitamin C, manganese and other antioxidants.
• Contains digestive enzymes that might aid in the digestion of meat.
• We love using frozen pineapple in our favorite Strawberry Smoothie or make Pineapple Orange Banana Popsicles.
• Recreate the famous Pineapple Dole Whip.
• Canned pineapple is a great option for lunchboxes.
• Use canned crushed pineapple to add sweetness to meatballs like these Carrot Pineapple Turkey Meatballs.

Apricots

• Rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene – they’re good for your eyes!
• Cut them up fresh and make a yogurt parfait. Or try them grilled with yogurt or ice cream!
• Try dried apricots in a trail mix or these Apricot Bliss Balls.
• Use them like peaches to make an apricot crisp.
• Or try a stone fruit slaw to serve on tacos, over chicken etc.

Dates

• High in fiber and antioxidants like flavonoids.
• Try them sliced to remove the pit and stuffed with peanut butter or cream cheese.
• Cut them up into bite-sized pieces for toddlers to eat similar to raisins.
• Use them to naturally sweeten baked goods like these Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies and Zucchini Oat Bars.
• Try my Go-To Energy Balls for an easy snack. Or one of these Kid-Friendly Energy Balls recipes.
• Make a frozen treat like this Date-Sweetened Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

Avocado

• High in fiber and good fats like monounsaturated fats.
• They also contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and more.
• Get out the potato masher and let the kids make guacamole to try with chips!
• Try one of these 10 Ways To Serve Avocados To Kids.
• Add some to an egg sandwich or make avocado toast with their favorite toppings.
• Add some to your next cheese quesadilla to turn it into an avocado quesadilla.
• If you don’t love the taste, cube and freeze it to add to smoothies for the health benefits.

Plums

• Good source of Vitamin C, A and K.
• Add them to your next batch of applesauce to make Plum & Apple Compote.
• Slice and eat them like a nectarine.
• Try Easy Stewed Plums.
• Make a Plum Crisp.

10 New Protein Sources To Try

Most people think of meat when they think of protein, but if your kiddos aren’t crazy about meat there are a lot of other protein sources out there to try. And if they do like meat like chicken, remember there are other meat options out there like steak, pork, sausage etc to try as well! Here are some ideas for new protein sources to try:

Edamame

• Whole, immature soybeans that grow in pods. You can buy them in pods or pre-shelled.
• Good source of Vitamin K and folate.
• Try dried edamame for a crunchy, salty snack kids might love!
• Grab a steamable bag in the freezer section and serve with butter and salt.
• Or mix them into a stirfry like this Beef and Broccoli Edamame Stirfry or soup.
• Turn it into a dip like this Creamy Edamame Dip or this Cilantro Lime Edamame dip similar to guacamole.
• Mix into a crunch salad like this Cashew Crunch Edamame Salad or try Edamame Falafel.

Hemp Hearts

• Packed with healthy fats and protein. Just 3 Tablespoons of hemp hearts has 15 grams of healthy fats and almost 10 grams of protein.
• Also a good source of iron, Vitamin B6 and folate.
• Learn more about them and other healthy seeds in my Super Seeds guide.
• These are super easy to mix into any muffins, bars or pancakes you make. Just add a few Tablespoons. Try them in these Banana Flax Muffins or these Energy Balls.
• Add them to smoothies, sprinkle on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc. They’re barely noticeable and pack a big nutrient punch.
• You can also mix them into oatmeal, overnight oats or chia pudding like this High Protein Carrot Cake Chia Pudding.

White Beans

• Great source of protein and fiber. Also provide folate, magnesium and Vitamin B6.
• These are perfect for mixing into baked goods like my Sweet Potato White Bean Bars.
• If your kids like quesadillas, try these White Bean Quesadillas.
• You can puree them with broth and add to soups to thicken them.
• Or use them to make a dip like this Whipped Avocado White Bean Dip.
• Try them in a pasta and white bean salad.
• Add them to your next bowl of pasta with marinara sauce or pesto.

Lentils

• Great source of protein and fiber. Packed with B vitamins, and iron.
• Learn how to cook lentils on the stove. I make a whole bag and portion them to freeze so I have them to easily pull out and use.
• Try them blended into muffins like these Lentil Banana Muffins or make Roasted Lentils to add to trail mix.
• Mix them in with ground meat next time you make taco meat or spaghetti sauce like this Red Lentil Bolognese.
• Red lentils especially tend to fall apart and blend nicely into sauces and soups. Here are 15 Red Lentil Recipes.
• Try this One Pot Pasta with Cheesy Lentil Sauce.

Tofu

• Tofu is condensed soy milk pressed to different firmnesses.
• High in protein and a good non-dairy source of calcium.
• Try making this Crispy Baked Tofu with their favorite dipping sauce or these Crispy Tofu Nuggets.
• Use crumbled tofu in a kid-friendly soup like this Taco Soup.
• Blend silken tofu into this Silken Tofu Berry Smoothie.

Green Peas

• A half cup of green peas contains 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.
• Also a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin K.
• Keep it simple and throw some frozen peas into the pasta water for the last few minutes the next time you make mac and cheese.
• Try these Pea Fritters.
• Learn how to cook frozen green peas so they’re not mushy and add some butter and salt!
• Try them roasted for a crunchy snack like these Roasted Parmesan Peas.
• Bake them into these Chocolate Pea cookies.
• Pair them with pasta in this Ravioli with Peas and Pancetta.

Salmon

• Great source of protein and omega- 3 fatty acids. Also high in selenium and Vitamin B12.
• Smoked salmon can be a good starting point. My kids love Honey Smoked Fish Salmon.
• Try this easy Oven Baked Salmon with a honey mustard glaze.
• Make these 5 min Air Fryer Salmon Bites.
• Instead of chicken nuggets, try these Crispy Baked Salmon Nuggets.

Quinoa

• Naturally gluten-free and high in fiber, it’s also a good source of protein, B vitamins and magnesium.
• If your kids like rice, try mixing in some quinoa with it next time!
• You can add quinoa to pancakes like this or these Quinoa Breakfast Cookies.
• Mix some into your next batch of tacos or chicken quinoa enchiladas.
• Try a twist on pizza with these Cheesy Quinoa Pizza Bites.
• Try these Quinoa Krispies on yogurt

Steak

• Good source of B vitamins, iron and niacin.
• Try these Air Fryer Steak Bites.
• Use small pieces of steak in things your kids already like such as tacos, steak quesadillas, wraps, etc.
• Serve it with something familiar like fries in this recipe for Steak Frites.
• Kabobs are fun for kids to make and eat. Try these Soy Ginger Beef Kabobs.

Jerky

• Can be high in sodium so not the best option for everyday but fine occasionally.
• A great shelf-stable protein option that can be good for school snacks, sports bags etc.
• We like Chomps and Country Archer.
• Try different types of meat and different flavor options to find one you like.

Try New Foods FAQs

What are some unique grains to cook for dinner?

If you’re looking for new grains to try, here are some to consider:

• Quinoa
• Sorghum
• Millet
• Buckwheat
• Teff
• Amaranth
• Farro
• Wild Rice

Experiment with substituting these into your favorite dishes in place of rice and pasta and also try them on their own so you can really taste the texture and consistency. Here are more details about how to cook whole grains and what to use them for.

What are some international foods I can cook at home and try?

There are lots of great unique ingredients to cook with. Some easy ones to start with are things like miso paste, gochujang and harissa.

How do I use miso paste and gochujang in recipes?

Miso is a fermented soy bean paste that is popular in many Asian recipes. It’s known for adding a salty, umami flavor and miso soup is one of the most common ways to try it. Learn more about miso here. Gochujang is often used in Korean food and is a spicy paste made of red chili peppers, fermented soy beans, rice and salt. Here’s an easy gochujang sauce.

What plant-based ingredients are trending right now?

Some plant-based foods trending right now include plant protein – especially from things like peas and fava beans and protein-rich milk alternatives like almond milk with soy protein and flax milk with pea protein. Date syrup and monk fruit are gaining popularity in sweeteners and plant-based butters and cheeses are also expanding.

What foods can help me expand my cooking skills?

Anything that requires you to learn a new preparation method, a new way to peel, cook or serve something will help you expand your cooking skills. Things like jackfruit, jicama, mango and other options in the produce section can be a good place to start.

What are some new herbs and spices I could try?

If you haven’t tried some of the more common staple spices like basil, rosemary and thyme those can be a good place to start. To expand even further, try things like turmeric, star anise, za’atar, saffron and cardamom.

What are some good high-protein foods I’ve probably never tried?

Tofu, edamame and tempeh are some plant-based proteins you may not have tried. There are also tons of different varieties of fish as well as lots of different kinds of beans and peas.

What are some common superfoods I could try?

Here are 16 Superfoods That Are Worthy of the Title that you could start with – everything from green tea to leafy greens.

What are some good beginner-friendly adventurous foods?

Some that come to mind are things like curry, pad thai and injera. A great option is to research some local restaurants that serve foods from different cultures and start there. You can sample a variety of different dishes all in one place. Then if you like one, try to recreate something similar at home!

Try Something New For Dinner

If this post was helpful, share it with a friend! Set a goal together to try at least one new food each week and use it in a taste test or recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Here are 5 of the best low sugar yogurts. These are not sugar-free yogurt options. They all have 7 grams of added sugar or less and no artificial sweeteners!

*Originally published 7/2022. Updated 12/2024.*

Hi friends!

I have been working on a new snack series! Today we’re talking about yogurt. Yogurt is kid-friendly, an easy protein source and can be a great addition to a balanced diet. However, if you’re not careful, it can easily fall into the dessert category based on the large amounts of sugar that is often added to it.

If you want more store-bought snack ideas, check out these posts:

Snacks from certain stores:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Best Healthy Snacks at Target

Types of snacks:

• Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks
• Healthy Fruit Snacks
• High Protein Snack Ideas
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

Best Low Sugar Yogurts – Top Brands

How to choose low sugar yogurt?

So what low-sugar yogurts are best? I went to Meijer and Kroger to find some options for you!

There is no official definition for low-sugar so opinions will vary person to person. As a Registered Dietitian, I tried to look for options that were relatively low in sugar but would still taste good.

Low Sugar Yogurt Recipes

For options lowest in added sugar, try using plain yogurt and sweetening with your own fruit like this – How To Make Naturally Sweetened Greek Yogurt – No added Sugar. You could also try making your own yogurt – How To Make Homemade Vanilla Yogurt.

Best Flavored Yogurt Options

If you don’t like those options , you’ll need to choose from flavored store-bought options and the level of added sugar varies widely by brand.

Best yogurt without artificial sweetener

Many people, including myself, don’t like the aftertaste that comes with stevia and may have digestive issues with sweeteners like monk fruit, etc. If you want to learn more about sugar substitutes, check out my post – The Ultimate Guide to Sugar Substitutes.

For this roundup, I’ve chosen to go with yogurts sweetened with traditional sugar, not sugar substitutes.

Here are five options that have 7 grams of added sugar or less. Watch the video for an overview, or scroll down to see the options:

What is the healthiest low sugar yogurt?

The healthiest low sugar yogurt for you is one that you’ll eat! You can’t get the protein and other nutrient benefits if you’re not willing to consume it!

Lowest Sugar Yogurt Brands

Here are the five options I found that are lower in sugar and still taste good.

Oikos Blended – Low Sugar Greek Yogurt

• 7 grams added sugar
• 13 grams protein
• 0 grams fat

Ingredients in the strawberry flavor: cultured non fat milk, strawberries, cane sugar, water, contains less than 1% of: pectin, natural flavors, fruit and vegetable juice concentrate and beta carotene (for color, vitamin D3.

Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt

• 5 grams added sugar
• 12 grams protein
• 3 grams fat

Ingredients in Vanilla: Cultured lowfat milk, water, cane sugar, natural flavors, fruit pectin, guar gum, cinnamon, locust bean gum, vanilla extract, lemon juice concentrate.

Fage Total Split Cup – Low Sugar Yogurt

• 7 grams added sugar
• 12 grams protein
• 2.5 grams fat

Ingredients: STRAINED YOGURT: Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk and Cream, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei).

STRAWBERRY FRUIT PREPARATION: Strawberries, Cane Sugar, Water, Corn Starch, Contains 2% or less of: Strawberry Juice Concentrate, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Fruit Pectin. 

Siggi’s Yogurt With Low Sugar

• 6 grams added sugar
• 15 grams protein
• 2.5 grams fat (there’s also a whole milk version)

Ingredients in black cherry: Pasteurized Skim Milk, Pasteurized Cream, Cherries, Cane Sugar, Fruit Pectin, Live Active Cultures

Icelandic Provisions Low Sugar Yogurt

• 7 grams added sugar
• 15 grams protein
• 2 grams fat

Ingredients in strawberry: Skyr (Pasteurized Low-Fat Milk, Live and Active Cultures), Fruit (Strawberries, Lingonberries), Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Carob Bean Gum, Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrate (For Color)

Low Sugar Greek Yogurt

What’s the difference between greek yogurt and regular yogurt? Greek yogurt is strained after it’s fermented to remove the whey and make it thicker. Skyr is similar to Greek yogurt in that it’s strained, often longer than Greek yogurt, making it even thicker. Greek yogurt can have fewer carbs and less sugar, while also having more protein than regular yogurt. For all varieties there are whole milk and lower fat options. Skyr is usually made with skim milk and can have even more protein than Greek yogurt.

Kids Taste Test Yogurt with Low Sugar

Low Sugar Yogurts for Kids

While low sugar options are great, we still need kids to enjoy them! I did a little taste test with my kids where they tasted the 5 options listed above, plus a higher sugar option and one sweetened with stevia. Watch to see which were their favorites:

Best Sugar-Free Yogurt

Is sugar-free yogurt good for you?

So what about sugar-free yogurt that use artifical sweeteners and yogurts sweetened with stevia and monkfruit? Personally and as an RD they’re not my favorite. Stevia and other sweeteners like it can cause GI distress- gas, bloating etc for some people. Some people also don’t like the taste or aftertaste. They’re also much much sweeter than regular yogurts and kids can get used to that level of sweetness. Like most things, they’re probably fine in moderation but for this post I chose ones sweetened with regular sugar because that’s my preference. If you’re looking for other options there are definitely some out there!

For Special Diets

Low Sugar Yogurts for Diatbetics

If you’re diabetic and looking for options that are specifically good for diabetics, check out this article from my friend and fellow RD who is a Type 1 Diabetic – How To Choose The Best Yogurt For Diabetes.

Low Sugar Vegan Yogurt

If you’re looking for some healthy dairy-free yogurt options check out this post – Healthy Dairy-free Yogurt That Actually Tastes Good.

Additional healthy yogurt options:

Two other easy ways to reduce the added sugar in yogurt is to choose plain yogurt and mix in smashed fruit or drizzle with a little honey.

Or you can buy a flavored variety that might have a bit more added sugar and mix it half and half with plain yogurt!

Hope this post was helpful! Want some recipes that use yogurt, both flavored and plain?

• Gluten-free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars
• Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffles
• Pumpkin Yogurt Dip
• Banana Carrot Muffins
• Spicy Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade

–Lindsay–

Looking for the best healthy high-protein snacks that kids and adults will love? Here are some of my top picks as a Registered Dietitian for high protein snacks that are low carb, vegan and more.

*Originally published 4/2023. Updated 10/2024*

Hi friends! We are continuing our best of store-bought snack series! We’ve already covered several stores and categories so be sure to check them out if you missed them the first time!

If you’re looking for store-specific snacks check out:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Best Healthy Snacks at Target

For specific categories, check out:

• Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks
• Healthy Fruit Snacks
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Best Frozen Waffles
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

Today we’re talking about high protein snack ideas because it’s a frequently requested topic! So let’s talk a little bit about protein and why I think it’s so important as a Registered Dietitian.

FAQs about Best High Protein Snack Ideas To Buy

Why is Protein Important for a snack?

Protein is essential for our body. Proteins are made up of amino acids which our body uses in all sorts of ways! Protein isn’t just for building muscles, it’s also important in lots of chemical reactions such as digestion and energy production.

What are the benefits of high-protein snacks?

High-protein snacks can help us stay fuller longer. Protein does not cause spikes in blood sugar like carbohydrates can so pairing carbs with protein, fiber and healthy fats is important for maintaining steady blood glucose levels and increasing satiety. High-protein snacks can also be important after a workout to help build muscle and speed up muscle recovery.

Are All High Protein Snacks Healthy?

Unfortunately, not all high-protein snacks are created equal. It’s best to check the nutrition label and try to find the simplest ingredients you can. When looking for high-protein snacks I look for those that have a decent amount of protein but are also not too high in added sugar or sodium. Many high-protein snacks contain sugar alcohols as well which can be difficult to digest so be sure to look out for those if that’s a concern for you.

Simple Fast High Protein Snacks

Why Eat High Protein Snacks?

Protein is the building block for our muscles and is essential in many bodily functions. Protein also slows digestion which helps reduce blood sugar spikes and keeps us full and satisfied for longer while providing our bodies with the energy we need.

How much protein should a snack have?

Anywhere from 8-16 grams of protein is good for a snack. It doesn’t have to be from one food either. Combining foods like peanut butter toast, crackers & hummus, or yogurt & granola, are an easy way to bump up the protein.

What snacks are high in protein?

Snacks that are made with animal products tend to be good sources of protein. This includes things like dairy products, meat, seafood, cheese, eggs. There are also vegan snacks that are high in protein like edamame, nuts, seeds etc. Carbohydrate snacks made with whole grains can also have a decent amount of protein.

Easy Snacks High In Protein

Now let’s get to the snacks! There’s no hard and fast rule for what constitutes high protein and as always, people will have differening opinions. But hopefully this list will give you a starting point and some new ideas for high protein snacks to try!

High Protein Low Fat Snacks

Some snacks listed below can fall into multiple categories. For example, some snacks like tuna or deli meat can also be considered high-protein and low-fat snacks but we have them below in the high protein/low carb category because they fit there as well. If you are looking to bump up the fiber pairing these snacks with a complex carbohydrate (granola, whole grain bread, crackers) is a great option too.

So what snacks are high in protein but low in fat?

Here are some ideas:

• Too Good Vanilla Low-fat Greek Yogurt (12g protein, 3g car, 0g fiber, 2g sugar) *stevia sweetened
• Good Culture 2% Low Fat Cottage Cheese (19g protein, 0g fiber, 3g sugar)
• Fage Non Fat Greek Yogurt (16g protein, 5g fiber, 0g fiber, 5g sugar
• Siggis Vanilla Yogurt (16g protein, 0g fiber, 9g sugar *5g added sugar)
• Chobani Less sugar yogurt (12g protein, 1g fiber, 5g added sugar) 
• Applegate precooked chicken strips (23g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar) 
• Fuel for fire fruit smoothies (10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g added sugar) *aff link
• Pictsweet Farms Steam’ables Edamame (7g protein, 3g fiber, 2g sugar)

Best High Protein Whole Grains

These high-protein grains are a great way to increase your protein while adding some fiber to your day. Grains have inherently less protein than meat/dairy products, but these options are great sources of protein for this category and are even better when paired with another protein source!

• Kodiak Cakes Power Waffles +many flavors or pancake/waffle mix (12g protein, 3g fiber, 27g carb, 5g added sugar)
• RX High Protein Oatmeal (12g protein, 6g fiber, 7g sugar, 0g added sugar)
• Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed Crackers + another protein source (5g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Purely Elizabeth Granola Vanilla Almond Butter-Grain free, gluten-free, vegan! ( 6g protein, 3g fiber, 5g added sugars)
• Dave’s Killer 21 Whole Grain and Seeds Organic Loaf (5g protein, 5g fiber, 5g added sugar)
• Purely Elizabeth collagen protein oats (9g protein, 5g fiber, 6g added sugar) 
• Snow Days Pizza Bites -note that these are actually grain-free! (7g protein, 5g fiber, 2g sugar)

High Protein Low Carb Snacks (10 carbs or less)

If you are looking for a snack that is high in protein but lower in carbs, we’ve got you covered! Many of these snacks are also great options if you are gluten-free too.

• P3 Portable Protein Snack Park with Turkey, Almonds, & Colby Jack Cheese (11g protein, 4g carb, 1g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Chomp Meat Sticks (9g protein, 0g carb, 0g sugars)
• Good & Gather Sweet & Spicy Tuna (14g protein, 1g fiber, 4g added sugar)
• StarKist Wild Caught Light Tuna (17g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Wild Planet Wild Tuna, Bean, and Corn Salad (16g protein, 8g fiber, 3g added sugar) 
• Hard Boiled Eggs (6g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Egglife Egg Wraps (5g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar) 
• Organic Valley Feta & Chive Egg Bites (14g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Sargento Balanced Breaks White Cheddar, Roasted Almonds & Dried Cranberries (7g protein, 2g fiber, 8g added sugar)
• Plainville Farms Oven Roasted Chicken Breast (10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Dietz & Watson Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast (11g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Sargento Natural Mozzarella String Cheese (7g protein, 0g carb, 0g sugar)
• Wisps Cheese Crisps +many flavors (9g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar)

Best High Protein Vegan Snacks // High Protein Vegetarian Snacks

Who says plants can’t be high in protein too? These vegan protein snacks are great if you looking to increase your plant-based protein sources. Nuts and Seeds are great sources of vegan protein. We’ve included a few vegan protein bars in our protein bar section below too!

• Good & Gather Raw Mixed Nuts (6g protein, 7g carb, 2g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Go Raw Sprouted Organic Pumpkin Seeds Sea Salt (8g protein, 4g carb, 3g fiber 0g sugar)
• The Only Bean– Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans with Sea Salt (14g protein, 5g fiber, 2g sugar)
• Biena Roasted Chickpeas with Sea Salt (6g protein, 6g fiber, <1g sugar)
• Crazy Richards 100% All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter-pair with Dave’s killer bread (8g protein, 3g fiber, 2g sugar)
• Protein Power Ball Mint Dark Chocolate (6g protein, 2g fiber, 6g sugar)
• Siete Frozen Almound Flour Tortilla (6g protein, 3g fiber, 1g sugar)
• Seapoint Farms dry roasted edamame (14g protein, 6g fiber, 1g sugar) 
• Califia Farms Protein Oat Milk (8g protein, 1g fiber, 3g added sugar) 
• Enjoy Life Enjoy Bites Dark Raspberry– Gluten & Nut Free (6g protein, 3g fiber, 11g sugar, 5g added sugar)
• Sabara Hummus + Mary’s Gone Super Seed Crackers (7g protein, 4g fiber, 0g sugar)
• Bada Bean Bada Boom Roast Broad Fava Beans (6g protein, 4g fiber, 1g added sugar)
• Beyond Meat Plant-based Teriyaki Jerky (10g protein, 2g fiber, 5g added sugar)
• Louisville Vegan Jerky Smoked Black Pepper (7g protein, 2g fiber, <1g sugar)

Healthy High Protein Snacks-Protein Snack Bars

It can be hard to find protein bars that are high in protein, low in added sugar, and have simple ingredients. Sometimes you have to weigh the trade-off of getting a little more added sugar with simpler ingredients. We have included a few of our favorite options for you!

• RX Bars (12g protein, 23g carb, 5g fiber, 13g sugar 0g added sugar)
• Epic Chicken Protein Bars (11g protein, 3g carbs, 2g fiber, 0g added sugars)
• Go Macro Macro Bars + other flavors-Vegan! (11g protein, 36g carbs, 11g added sugar)
• Aloha Organic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars-Vegan!(14g protein, 20g carb, 3g fiber, 13g sugar)
• Cascadian Farm Organic Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Protein Bars (12g protein, 2g fiber, 19g carb, 11g added sugar)
• Clif Nut Butter Bars-Vegan! (7g protein, 27g carb, 3g fiber, 6g added sugar)
• KIND Protein Bars Double Chocolate-Vegan (12g protein, 18g carbs, 5g fiber, 6g added sugar)
• Bob’s Bars – PB Honey and Oat -Vegan! (8g protein, 3g fiber, 9g added sugar) 

Best High Protein Low Calorie Snacks

A popular search term in this category is high protein/low calories snacks. I don’t count calories or macros so I’m not listing options for this category but I’m sure there are other lists out there.

I do want to encourage you to remember that when calories are removed they are often replaced with artificial ingredients or sweeteners. In my opinion, it is less important to focus on calories and more important to focus on high-protein snacks that are well-balanced. These snacks keep you full and satisfied while giving your body the energy it needs to tackle the day.

Healthy Snacks For Diabetics

High Protein Low Sugar Snacks

My husband is a Type 1 diabetic so I’m always on the hunt for snack ideas for him that are high in protein and low in sugar? Some of his favorites are:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Turkey and cheese roll-ups
• Nut-based trail mix
• Tuna salad with crackers
• Beef sticks
• Cottage cheese
• Roasted Chickpeas

High Protein Smoothie Snacks

Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of protein into a snack. Whether it’s thanks to the addition of protein powder, or thanks to packing in a lot of high-protein ingredients, smoothies can be a great high-protein snack option.

Here are some recipes to get you started:

• Silken Tofu Berry Smoothie
• 12 Protein-Packed Smoothies
• Green Power Bean Smoothie
• 16 High Protein Smoothies

Dairy-free High Protein Snacks

If you’re looking for dairy-free high protein snacks, remember that all vegan snacks will be dairy-free so that’s an easy place to start.

Other dairy-free snack ideas:

• Roasted nuts and seeds
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Jerky
• Deli Meat
• Egg Wraps
• Steamed edamame
• Lentil dip with whole grain crackers
• Smoothies made with plant-based milk and protein powder

Gluten-Free High Protein Snacks

And if you’re looking for gluten-free snack ideas, I have a whole post full of ideas:

Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks

Good Protein Snacks For Work

If you need snack ideas for at work and after work, I have a whole post about that full of lots of high protein ideas:

At Work & After Work Snacks

On The Go Protein Snacks

If you’re headed off on a road trip, traveling for work or just spending a lot of time commuting, you make be looking for healthy protein snacks on the go. I wrote a whole post with some of my favorite road trip snacks that are great for travel:

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

Protein Snacks Meal Prep

One thing that I think is important to remember is that a snack is really just a small meal. So if you have a favorite high-protein meal, especially one you can prep ahead of time, you can just eat a smaller portion of it for a snack!

I have a great roundup of meal prep lunch ideas of any of them would work for a quick snack. Prep a few ahead of time and enjoy them for a quick snack.

Healthy Meal Prep Lunches

Best Store Bought Protein Snacks

What are your favorite high protein snacks?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

This list of Peanut-Free and Tree Nut-Free Packaged Snacks is designed to help parents and caretakers who need to provide allergy-friendly snacks for their own kids or to an entire school class or daycare.

*Originally published August 2019. Updated August 2024*

Hi friends!

This roundup of Peanut Free & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks for School has been highly requested. You guys have been asking me for nut-free ideas for YEARS, literally…and to be honest, I’ve been putting it off. I’m not an allergy mama. My kids don’t have allergies and their school doesn’t require them to be nut-free so I selfishly haven’t had a whole lot of reason to write this post. But I finally sat down and did it!

Note that all of these snack ideas would also be great in lunch boxes. If you need help with packed lunch ideas, check out my guide: A Month of Easy Packed Lunches For Kids.

I have a whole series on best of store-bought packaged snacks if you need more ideas:

Snacks from certain stores:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Best Healthy Snacks at Target

Types of snacks:

• Best Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks
• High Protein Snack Ideas
• Healthy Fruit Snacks
• Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Best Frozen Waffles

A few things to note before we go further:

• This is not an all-inclusive list. There are a lot of options out there. Some of which are not the healthiest. It would be impossible to include them all, and as an RD I approached this list as still wanting it to be filled with snacks that have some nutritional value. Know that I did my best to include items that are somewhat healthy and that I would feel good about giving my own kids.
• It’s still your responsibility to do your research. I spent a lot of time on websites and looking at packaging but things can change quickly in the manufacturing process so you still need to check all the labels yourself and check them every time you buy them..not just the first time.
• I haven’t tried them all. Like I said, I’m not an allergy mama so we haven’t had the occasion to buy a lot of these products and therefore neither I nor my kids have tasted a lot of them.
• Some wouldn’t be my first choice nutritionally. But most on this list are things I feel are good choices when packaged snacks are needed.

Nut Free Packaged Snacks for Kindergarteners and Beyond

The best way to determine if foods are allergy-free snacks is to read the label since brands should have a warning statement or allergen list. Be aware of phrases like this:

“May Contain Peanut or Tree Nuts.”

“Processed on shared equipment with Peanuts or Tree Nuts.”

“Manufactured in a plant with Peanut or Tree Nuts.”

“Contains Peanut or Tree Nut Ingredients.”

You can also check the FAQs on the website but packaging should have the most updated info.

Some schools give guidelines that foods must not contain peanut or tree nuts but don’t require them to be from nut-free facilities. Some do. Be familiar with the rules for wherever you’re sending food so you can make sure to choose snacks that comply with their guidelines. 

And remember that although choosing allergy-friendly options like this can be a pain if your family does not have allergies, it’s important for the safety of a lot of kids and allergy families appreciate you putting in the time and effort to keep their kids safe. My hope is that this list will make your job just a little bit easier.

List of Peanut Free Snacks & Nut Free Packaged Snacks For School

Here’s my list of peanut-free and tree nut-free packaged snacks from several allergy-friendly brands, many of which are known for keeping their facilities free of the top 8 allergens. You can click the hyperlinked brand name below each image to be taken to their website, use their store locator etc.

I’ve listed some of their products that might make good snacks. Most brands offer more products than the ones I’ve listed and you can use your discretion to choose those as well! And remember that some brands may have some products made in nut-free facilities and other products that are not so read carefully! I hope it gives you some new ideas if you need them for school and daycare lunches especially!

Peanut Free Snacks

• Made Good – Granola bars, granola minis, morning bars and crackers!
  • Free from the top 9 allergens, made in a nut-free facility
• Safe & Fair – Granola, popcorn and pea protein chips. Plus Remy’s Graham crackers.
  • Free from the top 9 allergens, granola facility is top 9 allergen free
• Enjoy Life – Lentil chips
  • Free from top 9 allergens, facility is nut-free, made in a facility that contains gluten using a certified gluten-free process
• 88 Acres– Granola bars (seed & oat bars), protein bars, seed butters and granola.
  • Free from top 9 allergens, made in a top 9 free facility.
• Zee Zees – Soft baked bars, trail mix, roasted chickpeas, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, applesauce, dips and spreads
  • Nut-free and free from several other allergens as well. Made in nut-free facility.
• RW Garcia – Crackers and chips
  • Nut-free and gluten-free. Made in a peanut-free and tree nut-free facility.
• PopChips – Chips
  • Don’t contain peanuts or treenuts. Certified gluten-free.
• GoGo Squeez – Fruit squeez, fruit and veggie squeez, yogurt squeez, Go Go squeez morning smoothies
  • Nut-free and gluten-free, some are dairy-free.

Snacks Peanut Free (Gluten Nut Free Snacks)

• Nature’s Bakery – Fig bars, mini fig bars, oatmeal crumble bars,
  • Nut-free and free of many allergens except wheat (do have a gf bar option. Facility is nut-free.
  • Note these have 11-14g added sugar which is a bit high for an everyday snack in my opinion.
• Skinny Pop – Popcorn
  • Peanut, tree nut and gluten free.
• Chomps – Beef sticksS
  • Top 9 allergy free. Produced in facility where soy, milk and sesame are present.
• Hippeas – Puffs, chips and straws.
  • Top 9 allergy free. Produced in facility on shared dairy lines but not shared with nut-containing products.
• Blake’s Seed Based – Breakfast bars, granola bars, crispy treats
  • Top 9 allergy free. Made in a peanut-free, tree nut-free and gluten-free facility.
• Veggies Made Great – Muffins, frittatas, veggie cakes and blondies
  • Peanut and tree nut free and made in a nut-free facility.
• Beanfields– Bean and rice-based chips
  • Top 9 allergen free.
• Biena – Roasted chickpeas and tasty thins (chickpea and veggie crisps)
  • Peanut and tree nut free
• That’s It Fruit Bars – fruit bars, mini fruit bars, probiotic bars, energy bars, apple and pumpkin seed crunchables, and truffles.
  • Free from top 12 allergens.
• The Good Crisp Company – chips
  • Peanut and tree nut free, made in peanut and tree nut free facility.
• Cascadian Farms – Chocolate drizzled granola bars
  • Those boxes that are specifically marked are produced in a peanut-free facility
• Annie’s Granola Bars – chocolate drizzled or chocolate dipped granola bars
  • They have a couple specifically made in a peanut-free facility. Look for the label.

Peanut Free Treats

If you’re looking for treats to send with your kiddo for a special occasion, class party etc, here are some peanut and tree nut free options:

• Rule Breaker – Cookies/blondies and mini cookies
  • Made with chickpeas. Top 11 allergy free and made in a top 11 allergy free facility.
• Free2b – Sun cups and mini sun cups (filled with sunflower seed butter)
  • Top 10 allergy free, made in a top 10 allergy free facility
• Made Good – Cookies
  • Top 9 allergy free, made in a top 9 allergy free facilty
• Katz – Creme cakes, donuts, creme-filled cupcakes and more.
  • Gluten-free, peanut and tree nut free, made in a GF, nut free and peanut free facility.
• Zee Zees Soft Baked Bars– lots of fun flavors like birthday cake and s’mores.
  • Nut-free facility
• Abe’s – Cakes, mini muffins and cupcakes, brownies, pound cake.
  • Peanut free and tree nut free facility (except coconut).
• Better Bites – Cupcakes, cake bites and do bites.
  • Top 8 allergen free, dedicated facility
• Home Free – Cookies
  • Free of top 14 allergies, dedicated peanut/tree nut free facility
• Kinnikinnick – Cookies, breads, buns, donuts, pie crusts
  • Peanut, tree nut, gluten, soy and dairy free.
• Yum Earth – Candy, lollipops, fruit snacks
  • Top 9 allergy free

Nut-butter alternatives

Pair with pretzels, fruit, celery etc for dipping, put on sandwiches and more!

• SunButter
  • Made with sunflower seeds. Creamy, crunchy and chocolate flavors, plus jammie sandwiches
• WowButter
  • Made with soy. Creamy and crunchy options.
• 88 Acres Seed Butter
  • Made with pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Plain, chocolate and vanilla cinnamon.
• Oat Haus Granola Butter
  • Made with oats and flax. Vanilla, birthday cake, brownie batter, cinnamon roll and more flavors.
• The Amazing Chickpea
  • Made with chickpeas. Plain, apple cinnamon, banana bread, chocolate and more flavors.
• Tahini
  • Made from sesame seeds. Add honey or maple syrup to sweeten

Peanut Free and Tree Nut-Free (Nut-Allergy Free Snacks)

There are also some other packaged snacks that I frequently see mentioned on allergy-friendly lists. Some of their websites say the snacks themselves are peanut/tree nut free but the facilities are not. For some of the others I couldn’t find specific info about the facilities so you’ll need to do your own research based on how strict the guidelines are at your school/facility:

• Cereal- Cheerios, Chex, Original Barbara’s Puffins
• Triscuits
• Goldfish/Cheddar Bunnies
• SunChips
• Pirate Booty
• Veggie Straws
• Dino Bars – *contain coconut oil
• Harvest Snaps
• Pringles
• Nutrigrain bars

And a few other packaged snack ideas:
(DO YOUR RESEARCH AND CHECK THE LABELS)

• String cheese
• Fruit: fresh, dried, freeze-dried, fruit leathers, dried fruit bars, fruit cups
• Individual guacamole and hummus cups
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Yogurt cups/tubes/pouches
• Shelf-stable milk boxes
• Cottage cheese + fruit cups
• Meat sticks/jerky
• 8oz Lifeway kefir
• Mini bagel with cream cheese
• Tortilla chips with guacamole

So there you go! Hope that was helpful.

Please remember – I spent a lot of time and energy on this post, but things change. You are responsible for checking the labels and doing research on the things you choose to buy!

And if you’re looking for more snack ideas check out these posts:

• 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• After School Healthy Snacks
• Low Mess Car Snacks for Kids
• Low Sugar Cereals for Kids
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Looking for healthy snacks at Costco? This list includes 50+ options that the whole family will love! Crunchy snacks, high protein snacks, granola bars and more.

*Originally published 8/2021. Updated 8/2025*

These Healthy Costco Snacks are healthy, affordable and perfect for snacks and lunches. They are kid-friendly and easy to prep and eat – great for busy families trying to eat healthy.

Best Costco Snacks 2025

Hi friends!

A couple of years ago I shared a list of our favorite things to buy at Costco. Recently I’ve been getting a lot of requests for snack ideas so I compiled a list of healthy Costco snacks to give you some new ideas.

Here are some other stores I’ve covered:

• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks
• Healthy Snacks at Target

If you need more ideas, for specific kinds of snacks, here are some posts to check out:

• Healthy High Protein Snacks
• Best Gluten-Free Snacks
• Best Frozen Waffles
• Healthy Store Bought Tortillas
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Crackers for Kids and Adults
• Best Low-Sugar Yogurts
• Lower Sugar Cereal For Kids
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Individually Wrapped Snack Ideas
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks

These snacks would also be great for packed lunches. Check out my Month of Easy Packed Lunches for Kids if you need more lunch box ideas!

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Costco Snacks

• Kid-friendly
• High in protein and fiber
• Good for school snacks
• Can be packed in lunch boxes for healthy packed lunches
• A mix of pantry staples, fresh ingredients and freezer-friendly options

How can I choose snacks with low added sugar at Costco?

I’ve tried to include some of the nutrition info that I look at when choosing snacks, including protein, fiber, sugar and sodium., but remember there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to snack guidelines. As a Registered Dietitian and mom of 3, here are some that I use when purchasing for my own kids and recommending for others:

• Most of the time I try to choose snacks that have at least 2g of both protein and fiber for kids.
• I always try to make sure snacks include protein so if I have a carb-based snack like crackers or cereal, I pair with a protein like cheese, yogurt, turkey etc.
• I try to limit added sugar to 6g or less whenever possible, occasionally 7-8 grams).

RD mom tip- Snacks with 9+ grams of added sugar or more should be treated more like treats/desserts than snacks.

What are some low-sodium snack options at Costco?

When it comes to sodium, it usually doesn’t make or break my snack decisions. I’ve included it mostly so you can see how the amounts vary from snack to snack. Some crackers and granola bars are higher in sodium than others.

Things like cheese and jerky can also be high in sodium. It’s mostly something I take note of at snack time and if I’m serving something higher sodium like a cheese stick, deli meat or jerky, I try to balance it with something lower sodium like fruit, a homemade muffin, etc.

RD mom tip – Remember that some sodium is naturally occurring, but a lot is added during processing. 140mg per serving or less is generally considered low sodium.

How does Costco’s healthy snack selection vary by location?

I’ve tried to group the snacks into categories to make it easy for you. Also, remember that Costco stores vary regionally and also seasonally. This is my list of the best Costco healthy snacks 2024 that were available at my Costco in Columbus, OH.

Are there nut-free healthy snacks available at Costco?

Yes! There are some great options. I’ve tried to note whether the products are gluten-free/nut-free when I was able to verify but if you have allergies/intolerances, please do your own research. If you need more allergy-friendly snacks, check out my Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks post.

What types of healthy snacks does Costco offer for families?

This snack list is not just for kids! It can be used as a guide for anyone looking to make healthy snacks a part of their day. As the year goes by, I will do my best to update this post with new items I see so that you can keep an eye out for them.

RD mom tip – Many of the snacks at Costco are available in smaller quantities at other stores. If I’m trying something new with my kids, I often buy somewhere else first to make sure they like them before adding to my list of Costco snacks to buy in large quantities.

What are some healthy snack pairings found at Costco?

Here are some of my Costco favorites, plus ideas for pairing them to make balanced snacks!

Healthy Snacks At Costco

Costco Chips and Snacks (Crunchy)

Are there healthy crunchy snacks available at Costco?

Costco has tons of great snack options that will give you that satisfying crunch! Remember that some crunchy foods like popcorn can be a choking hazard for younger kids. I talk a little more about safe snacks for younger kiddos in this post- Healthy Snacks For Toddlers. Here are some of my favorite crunchy snacks:

• Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 0g sugar, 75mg sodium (Gluten-free, nuts not in ingredient list but not guaranteed)
• Hippeas – 4g protein, 3g fiber, 2g sugar, 140mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Harvest Snaps – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 0g sugar, 75mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Crunchmaster Crackers – 3g protein, 2g fiber, 0g sugar, 110mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free made in peanut-free facility)
• Peanut Butter Pretzels – 4g protein, 1g fiber, <1g sugar, 230mg sodium
• RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers – 2g protein, 1g fiber, 2g sugar/no added sugar, 50mg sodium (gluten-free, made in peanut/treenut free facility)
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers – 3g protein, 2g fiber, 0g sugar, 180mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Sonoma Pizza Crisps – 13g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar(0g added), 330mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Triscuits – 3g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar, 160mg sodium (nut-free)
• Skinny Pop Popcorn – 2g protein, 3g fiber, 0g sugar, 75mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Sun Chips – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 2g sugar, 140 mg sodium (nut-free)
• Whisps Cheese Crisps – 13g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 350mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)

RD mom tip – Always pair things like crackers with a protein, fiber or healthy fat source. It will help make the snack as a whole more filling and keep you feeling full longer.

Granola Bars from Costco

• Aussie Bites – 2g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar, 90mg sodium (shared equipment with wheat, peanut & treenut)
• Perfect Bar – 17g protein, 3g fiber, 19g sugar (13g added), 50mg sodium *higher in sugar than i like but also high in protein and low in sodium (gluten-free)
• KIND Minis – 3g protein, 3g fiber, 3g sugar/2g added, 70mg sodium (gluten-free)
• KIND Nut Bar Variety Pack – 6g protein, 7g fiber, 5g sugar(4g added), 140mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Larabar – 5g protein, 3g fiber, 17g sugar/4g added, 65mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Made Good Granola Minis – 1g protein, 2g fiber, 6g sugar, 10mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• RX Bars – 12g protein, 5g fiber, 13g sugar(0 added sugar), 260 mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Nature Valley Chewy Fruit & Nut Bars– 3g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar(6g added), 65mg sodium
• Clif Nut Butter Bars – 7g protein, 3g fiber, 9g sugar/6g added, 150mg sodium

Costco Protein Snacks

Can I find high protein snacks at Costco?

Yes! Check out some of these options. There are some great choices for a variety of diets including gluten-free, vegan and more!

• Kirkland Trail Mix – 5g protein, 2g fiber, 10g sugar/4g added, 40 mg sodium (no gluten-containing ingredients)
• Kirkland Cheese Fruit & Nut Packs -8g protein, 1g fiber, 8g sugar/7g added, 160mg sodium
• Country Archer Mini Beef Sticks – 4g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 200mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Chomps Beef Sticks – 10g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 380 mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Babybel Cheese – 5g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 160mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Kirkland Organic Hard-Boiled Eggs -6g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 60mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Perdue Panko Chicken Nuggets – 13g protein, 1g fiber, 1g sugar, 450mg sodium
• Organic Valley Stringles – 7g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar/0g added, 210 mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Dietz & Watson Originals Turkey – 11g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 360mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt – 12g protein, 0g fiber, 9g sugar/4g added, 50mg sodium (gluten-free,
• Wholly Guacamole Minis – 1g protein, 2g fiber, 1g sugar, 240mg sodium (gluten-free, nut free…this is a healthy fat, not a protein. Pair with carbs for a balanced snack!)
• Nuts – They sell large bags of nuts that you can use to make your own trail mix!
• Kirkland Snacking Nuts – 9g protein, 5g fiber, 2g sugar, 320mg sodium (processed on equipment shared with wheat)
• Go Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds – 8g protein, 2g fiber, 0g sugar, 140mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Honey Smoked Fish Co Salmon – 12g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 420mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Columbus Low Sodium Salami – 7g protein, 0g fiber, 1g sugar, 340 mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Jack Links Beef & Cheese Sticks– 8g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 510mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)

Healthy Carb Snacks From Costco

• Cheerios – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 2g sugar, 190mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Dave’s Killer Bread – 5g protein, 5g fiber, 5g added sugar, 170mg sodium (nut-free)
• Kodiak Cakes Pancake Mix – 14g protein, 5g fiber, 3g sugar/2g added, 380mg sodium (no nut ingredients but processed on shared equipment with tree nuts)
• Lotus Foods Rice Ramen – 4g protein, 2g fiber, 0g sugar, 0g sodium (gluten-free, no nut ingredients but some products processed in facility that contains nuts)
• Kirkland Hummus Cups – 4g protein, 3g fiber, 1g sugar, 290mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Brownberry Multigrain Sandwich Thins – 6g protein, 3g fiber, 3g sugar/2g added, 300mg sodium
• Quaker Oats – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 1g sugar, 0g sodium
• Veggies Made Great Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – 3g protein, 1g fiber, 10g sugar/6g added, 160 mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Brownberry Oatnut Bread – 4g protein, 2g fiber, 3g sugar, 150mg sodium
• Siete Foods Tortillas – 1g protein, 3g fiber, 1g sugar/0g added, 220mg sodium
• Mush Overnight Oats – 5g protein, 4g fiber, 8g sugar/0g added, 130mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Goodles – 14 protein, 7g fiber, 6g sugar, 590 mg sodium
• Kirkland Ancient Grains Granola – 5g protein, 6g fiber, 9g sugar/8g added, 135mg sodium (processed in a facility that uses peanuts/tree nuts)

RD mom tip – Many of these are things that require a little prep work at home to turn into snacks vs being pre-packaged but they shouldn’t take much time and are cost-effective to buy at Costco. Use the bread to make sandwiches/toast/french toast. Use the oats to make oatmeal, energy balls, muffins. Make pancakes or waffles with the mix and freeze them. The ramen noodles cook in 5 minutes for a quick snack.

Fruit Snacks From Costco

Here are some great fruit-based options for snacks from Costco:

• Mott’s Applesauce – 0g protein, 1g fiber, 11g sugar/0 added, 0mg sodium (pair with a protein source! gluten-free, nut-free)
• Kirkland Three Berry Blend Frozen Berries -2g protein, 5g fiber, 10g sugar/0g added, 0g sodium (mix with spinach and milk for an easy smoothie!)
• Gogosqueez – 0g protein, 3g fiber, 12g sugar/0g added, 0mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Kirkland Sunsweet Dried Plums – 1g protein, 3g fiber, 15g sugar/0g added, 0mg sodium (there are TONS of dried fruits available. Pair with a protein option for a more filling snack, use in trailmix etc!)
• Del Monte Fruit in 100% juice – 0g protein, 1g fiber, 13g sugar/0g added, 10 mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• That’s It Mini Fruit Bars– 1g protein, 2g fiber, 10g sugar/0g added, 15mg sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Bear Fruit Rolls – 0g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar/0g added, 0g sodium (gluten-free, nut-free)
• Once Upon A Farm Fruit & Veggie Blends– 1g protein, 2g fiber, 8g sugar/0g added, 0mg sodium

Remember to pair these snacks with protein/fiber/healthy fats to make a more balanced, filling snack!

I also always have these bags of ground flax and hemp hearts at home to add to homemade snacks. I mix them into yogurt, pancakes, waffles, smoothies, muffins and bars. I sprinkle them on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Basically any time I can add them, I do!

What are some healthy snacks at Costco that require minimal preparation?

Here are some premade options that could be eaten for a quick snack. Some of these are higher in sodium but you may need to weigh that with the convenience factor to see if it’s a good choice for you occasionally:

• Pro2Go Grilled Chicken Strips – 18g protein, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 380 mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Frankly Fresh Chicken Breast Burrito Bowl – 30g protein, 7g fiber, 4g sugar, 720mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Amylu Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs – 14g protein, 0g fiber, 4g sugar(2g added), 750mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Don Lee Farms Green Chili Shredded Chicken & Riced Cauliflower Bowl – 23g protein, 4g fiber, 3g sugar(0g added), 570 mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Don Lee Farms Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos – 14g protein, 2g fiber, 3g sugar (0g added), 510mg sodium
• Ling Ling Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers – 12g protein, 2g fiber, 4g sugar(3g added), 570mg sodium
• El Monterey Chicken & Cheese Taquitos – 10g protein, 1g fiber, 0g sugar, 340mg sodium
• Imperial Garden Edamame – 12g protein, 4g fiber, 2g sugar, 5mg sodium (gluten-free)
• Trident Fish Sticks– 12g protein, 1g fiber, 0g sugar, 320mg sodium

Costco Vegan Snacks

Are there any vegan snack options at Costco?

Looking specifically for vegan snacks? Here are a few:

• Hippeas
• Made Good Granola Minis
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
• Harvest Snaps
• Skinny Pop
• Dried Fruit
• Barnana Plantain Chips
• RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers
• Wheat Thins
• Triscuits
• Larabar
• That’s It Minis
• Kirkland Ancient Grains Granola
• Cheerios
• Dave’s Killer Bread
• Lotus Foods Rice Ramen
• Kirkland Hummus Cups
• All the fruit options listed above!

Did you find any new ideas? Pin this post for later! What are your favorite Costco snacks?

Are there gluten-free snack options available at Costco?

Yes! Being gluten-free myself, I know there are plenty of gluten-free options at Costco. Some of my favorites include the honey smoked salmon, Crunchmaster and Simple Mills crackers, Skinny Pop, That’s It Fruit Bars paired with a cheese stick, Chomps and homemade trailmix using all of their nuts and seeds. There are plenty more gluten-free options as well!

Costco Snacks To Buy

These healthy Costco snacks are affordable and nutritious, perfect for at-home and on the go snacking for busy families looking for healthy and nutritious snack options.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–