These easy canned food recipes are perfect for quick, simple meals that are budget-friendly, nutritious and full of flavor!

*Originally published 2/2015. Updated 1/2026*

Hi Friends!

Let’s chat about easy canned food recipes, shall we? Canned foods are often over-looked or get a reputation for not being as good as fresh or frozen food, but in reality they are nutrient-dense and budget-friendly, making them a great option for most people.

How To Use This Guide

This post is meant to be a resource for busy families looking for easy pantry meals that can be cooked on a budget. Be sure to bookmark this blog post so you can easily refer back to it.

Below you will find some general information about the nutritional benefits of a variety of canned foods, as well as lots of recipe suggestions.

The recipes are grouped by type of canned food to make it easier to find what you’re looking for!

Benefits of canned food

While the nutrients in canned fruits and vegetables are locked in at peak freshness soon after they are harvested, fresh fruits and veggies are losing nutrients as they travel across the country and while sitting in the grocery store.

A mix of canned, fresh, frozen and dried foods can help you get all the nutrients you need and canned foods are a great option if, for example, certain produce isn’t in season near you.

Stocking up on canned fruits and vegetables and canned protein sources like tuna and beans is a great way to fill your pantry to help ensure you always have these healthy staples on hand to make quick canned food recipes for healthy weeknight meals!

How To Choose Healthy Canned Foods

When choosing which canned foods to buy, here are a few tips:

• Look for low-sodium or no salt added varieties so that you can control sodium levels.
• If you can’t find low-sodium options, rinse your canned foods with water before using them in a recipe to help remove some of the added salt.
• Look for BPA-free cans so that those chemicals are getting into your food.
• Aim for variety. There are tons of canned food options out there. Challenge yourself to try different types of vegetables, beans etc that you haven’t had before as well as mixing up your intake of fresh, frozen and canned fruits, vegetables and protein.

Common Mistakes When Cooking with Canned Foods

A few things to keep in mind when cooking with canned foods:

• Consider added sodium. Either choose low-sodium, rinse before using or adjust additional added salt to take the sodium in canned foods into consideration.
• Don’t skip the seasoning! Some people complain or think they don’t like canned foods because they are lacking flavor but a lot of canned foods do not come pre-seasoned. So make sure to add your favorite spices and seasonings to help your food taste its best!
• Don’t overcook – Unlike fresh vegetables and protein, canned foods are already cooked. They don’t need long cooking times like some fresh food does. So don’t over-do it on the cooking or you’ll end up with mush. If mixing fresh and canned ingredients, consider adding canned near the end!

Easy Pantry Meals

Canned foods are great for making quick meals. Here are some of my favorite easy Pantry and Freezer Meals. You can use a variety of canned foods to make:

• Budget-Friendly Meals – Canned foods are typically fairly inexpensive and they can be a great way to make nutrient-dense meals as grocery costs continue to rise. Especially in cooked dishes like soups, casseroles etc, canned foods are hard to distinguish from fresh and often contain more nutrients.
• Last-Minute Dinners – Despite ours best planning, sometimes we find ourselves needing a quick dinner with not much left in the fridge. Keeping a well-stocked pantry with a variety of canned foods can help ensure we can still throw together a healthy dinner quickly.
• Emergency or Pantry cooking – In the event of an emergency like a hurricane, power outage, etc, canned foods can sometimes be the only source of available food. Having a stock of canned goods can help you continue to feed your family even when disaster strikes.

Easy Canned Food Recipes

The internet has an endless supply of delicious recipes using canned food. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites in a variety of different categories – everything from lean protein to delicious vegetables!

Canned Protein Recipes

Canned protein is a great option for those looking to meet protein goals and add protein to their meals in a budget-friendly way. There are a wide variety of canned protein options available including chicken, tuna, salmon, sardines and more.

Canned Chicken Recipes

Canned chicken is a fully cooked lean protein that can be packed in water, oil or broth. It’s convenient for quick meals during busy weeks.

What canned you make with canned chicken?

• Dips
• Casseroles
• Chicken salad
• Chicken patties

Here are some ideas for canned chicken recipes:

Buffalo Chicken Dip Crescent Ring

Makes an easy appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner!

Grab the recipe!

White Cheddar Mac and Chicken Bake

Creamy cheesy pasta with chicken and peas

Grab the recipe!

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Comfort food that’s easy enough to pull together on a busy night.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Chicken Salad

An easy, high-protein option that’s great for scooping with veggies or crackers.

Grab the recipe!

Chicken Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Like crab cakes but easier and cheaper without losing any flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Salmon Recipes

Canned salmon is a convenient way to add more seafood to your diet. It’s rich in omega 3’s, high in protein and lasts for a while in your pantry.

What can you make with canned salmon?

• Salmon cakes with dipping sauce
• Soup or chowder
• Pasta
• Casseroles

Here are some canned salmon recipes:

Salmon Patties

Golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Grab the recipe!

Salmon Chowder

Easy, creamy and delicious!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Salmon Salad

Full of flavor and packed with heart-healthy fats.

Grab the recipe!

Garlic Salmon Linguine

Simple, delicious pasta recipe with added protein.

Grab the recipe!

Salmon Potato Casserole

A one pot dinner that can use leftover salmon or canned salmon.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Tuna Recipes

Canned tuna is a great source of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. It can be packed in oil or water and it’s a great, shelf-stable source of protein.

What can you make with canned tuna?

• Tuna cakes
• Rice bowls
• Salad
• Sandwiches
• Avocado melts

Here are some canned tuna recipes:

Easy Tuna Melts

This recipe for Easy Tuna Melts comes together quickly and is great for lunch! Try it to help add more seafood to your diet!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Tuna Quinoa Cakes

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice

Spicy, crunchy and bursting with flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Bright Mediterranean flavors topped with a creamy feta dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Avocado Tuna Melts

Perfect for a quick, easy lunch!

Grab the recipe!

Tuna Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Eat it with crackers, on bread or stuffed in a pita.

Grab the recipe!

Broccoli Avocado Tuna Bowl

Packed with lean protein, healthy fats and broccoli

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sardine Recipes

Canned sardines can be intimidating but they are nutrient dense and versatile, making them a great addition to your weekly meals. They’re full of nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium and more and they can be used in a variety of ways.

What can you make with canned sardines?

• Sandwiches
• Fish Cakes
• Tacos
• Pasta
• Salad

Here are some canned sardine recipes like:

Canned Sardine Sandwich

Similar to tuna salad and easy to customize!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sardine Cakes

Mini fish cakes made with sardines and topped with a spicy yogurt sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Sardine Tacos

Canned sardines topped with a simple slaw and a spicy sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Green Goddess Pita with Sardines

Sardines, avocado, veggies and sardines with a green goddess dressing

Grab the recipe!

Instant Pot Pesto Pasta with Sardines

An easy instant pot dinner that’s ready in 15 minutes.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Vegetables Recipes

Canned vegetables are a great source of nutrition for many families. They are inexpensive and nutritious because the vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness and processed to lock in the nutrients. You can find canned versions of most all fresh vegetables and they can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Canned Green Bean Recipes

Canned green beans are a great option for adding a serving of vegetables to your meals. They contain some fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and potassium as well.

What can you make with canned green beans?

• One pot dishes
• Green bean casserole
• Side dishes
• Salad

Here are some canned green bean recipes to try:

One Pot Shrimp and Orzo

All you need is one pan and 20 minutes to make this quick and easy One Pot Shrimp and Orzo dinner recipe. Sub canned beans for frozen.

5/5 from 1 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Blistered Green Beans

Quick, easy and garlicky!

Grab the recipe!

Firehouse Green Beans

Ready in under 10 minutes!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Green Bean Salad

Perfect side dish for the hot summer months!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Green Beans for Dinner

An easy way to jazz up canned green beans

Grab the recipe!

Crack Green Beans

Mixed with bacon and full of flavor.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Corn Recipes

Canned corn contains several vitamins and minerals. It has a mild flavor and can be added to a variety of dishes.

What can you make with canned corn?

• Salsa
• Dip
• Skillet dishes
• Street corn
• Soups and chowders

Here are some canned corn recipes:

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Spicy, flavorful and easy to make it’s perfect for dipping with chips!

You can sub canned corn for fresh!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Cowboy Caviar

Learn how to make the best cowboy caviar recipe – a healthy, easy dip that’s perfect for any occasion. Tastes great scooped with chips, added to tacos or served over chicken.

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Honey Butter Skillet Chicken

A simple, flavorful side dish.

Grab the recipe!

Best Canned Corn

Canned corn mixed with fresh herbs, butter and garlic.

Grab the recipe!

Mexican Street Corn

Creamy and delicious!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Corn Chowder

Perfect for a cold winter night!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Sweet Potato Recipes

Canned sweet potatoes are a good source of Vitamin A&C, fiber and potassium. They can be used for dinner or dessert in canned sweet potato recipes.

What can you make with canned sweet potato:

• Sub it for any recipe using pumpkin
• Sub for microwaved fresh sweet potato
• Bars, cookies and muffins
• Soup
• Cake
• Rolls

Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies

No protein powder required for these Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies! Sub canned sweet potato for fresh.

4.7/5 from 14 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato White Bean Bars

These Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They’re kid-friendly, nut-free and full of fiber! 

5/5 from 47 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Quick, simple and melts in your mouth.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Warm and comforting, perfect for the holidays!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Sheet Cake

Layers of sweet potato goodness!

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

The perfect dinner side dish!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Artichoke Recipes

Canned artichokes are a highly nutritious vegetable option. They’re loaded with fiber and also rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C & K. Their mild flavor makes them easy to add to a variety of recipes.

How to use canned artichokes:

• Side dishes
• Roasting
• Fritattas
• Pasta Dishes
• Dips

Here are some canned artichoke recipes:

Roasted Artichoke Hearts

Simple ingredients, quick to make with a simple dipping sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Artichokes with Breadcrumbs

A cheesy topping with breadcrumbs make these irresistable.

Grab the recipe!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Pasta

Turn your favorite dip into an easy pasta dinner.

Grab the recipe!

Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Delicious chicken in a rich, creamy sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Canned Pumpkin Recipes

Perhaps one of the most popular canned vegetables, especially in the fall/winter, canned pumpkin is super versatile. Not only can it be used in baking, but it can be used in savory dishes as well.

How To Use Canned Pumpkin:

• Cakes and pies
• Muffins
• Pancakes and waffles
• Soups
• Curry

Here are some canned pumpkin recipes:

20 Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes {That Are Not Pumpkin Pie}

Pumpkin puree dessert recipes that are not pumpkin pie.

Grab the recipe!

30 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

Looking for healthy pumpkin recipes? Here are 30 recipes to try!

Grab the recipe!

Easy Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

This Easy Pumpkin Bread requires just one bowl and a few simple ingredients. It will quickly become your go-to fall recipe.

5/5 from 7 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Bars

These pumpkin pie bars use a box of yellow cake mix plus a few simple ingredients to make the most delicious pumpkin pie bar recipe. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert or any other occasion.

5/5 from 2 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Quinoa

These chocolate chip pumpkin bars pack an extra nutritional punch thanks to the addition of quinoa! Kid-friendly and easy to make, they’ll quickly become a favorite Fall recipe!

5/5 from 1 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Canned Beans & Legumes Recipes

Canned beans are a great source of protein and fiber. One serving of beans can help you meet 20% or more of your daily fiber needs and adequate fiber intake can help guard against heart disease. Use them for dinners, side dishes or baked goods. Try one of these canned beans recipes this week!

What can you make with canned beans?

• Layer dip
• Salsa
• Salad
• Brownies
• Vegetarian recipes

Here are some canned bean recipes to try:

The Ultimate Hot Taco Layer Dip

This easy Hot Taco Layer Dip is perfect for tailgating. This vegetarian appetizer is made with easy homemade refried beans, creamy hummus, corn salsa and cheese. Perfect for scooping with chips!

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Kale and White Bean Salad

This Kale and White Bean Salad is packed with nutrients and the flavor just gets better as it sits in the fridge. The perfect meal prep lunch recipe.

/5 from 0 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are kid-friendly, full of fiber and perfect for a snack or dessert!

4.6/5 from 13 ratings

Grab the recipe!

Marry Me Beans

Creamy beans with tons of flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Garlic Parmesan White Beans

Ready in 15 minutes and bursting with flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Canned Foods Recipes FAQs

Are canned food recipes healthy?

Like all recipes, the nutritional value comes down to the specific recipe and its ingredients. But there are plenty of healthy and nutritious canned food recipes available to help make canned foods a healthy part of your diet!

Are canned vegetables as nutritious as fresh or frozen?

Yes. Canned vegetables are picked at the peak of their ripeness when they contain the most nutrients and then flash-cooked and sealed into cans. This locks in their nutrients, making them a great choice for healthy eating.

Should you rinse canned beans before cooking?

Yes. It’s best to give your beans a quick rinse under cold running water before using.

What are the healthiest canned proteins?

Most canned proteins are heart-healthy lean protein sources. Consider that they can be packed in things besides water like oil, which can add extra fat and calories if that’s a concern of yours and they can also be high in sodium.

What canned foods are best to keep in your pantry?

It’s best to keep a wide variety of canned proteins – tuna, salmon, chicken, etc along with canned fruits – pears, peaches, fruit cocktail, oranges etc and lots of vegetables – green beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, carrots and more! You can also stock other canned goods like soup, pasta sauce and more.

Can you used canned foods for meal prep?

Yes! Canned foods are just like fresh and can be prepared in multiple ways, including in recipes that are great for meal prep like salads, casseroles, salsas and more.

Are canned foods good for budget cooking?

Yes! They are typically some of the most inexpensive foods at the grocery store and they are still packed with nutrients. They are shelf-stable and can last a while in your pantry making them great to save for after you’ve used some of your fresh food.

How do you reduce sodium in canned foods?

The easiest way to reduce sodium in canned foods is to rinse well in a strainer before using.

What are easy dinners you can make with canned foods?

Canned foods are great for pasta dishes, soups and stews, tuna melts, chicken or fish cakes, casseroles and more!

Can canned foods be used in kid-friendly recipes?

Yes! A great place to start is using things like canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes and beans in baked goods. Here are tons of kid-friendly baking recipes.

How long do canned foods last once opened?

Canned foods need to be refrigerated once the seal of the can has been broken. Once in the fridge they are good 3-4 days just like most leftovers.

Are canned foods good for emergency meals?

Yes! Especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters like floods, tornados and hurricanes, it’s a great idea to have a tub full of canned food that you can use to prepare meals in the event that you find yourself without power for multiple days.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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—

These Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes are simple, healthy and kid-friendly as well! They’re perfect dinner side dishes and a great way to add some extra veggies to your day. 

*Originally published 8/2017. Updated 7/2025*

These easy vegetable recipes are a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. They’re kid-friendly, affordable and quick to make – a great way to help serve nutritious meals to busy families.

Hi friends!

I originally wrote this post shortly after my second child started eating solid foods. While I did a fairly good job making and serving my oldest a variety of vegetables, it’s a whole different game trying to start feeding a baby with a wild toddler running around.

When I noticed I was falling into the habit of giving her more fruit than veggies, I decided I needed to step up my game. I made an effort to be more proactive about prepping vegetables to have on hand to give her for meals and snacks.

Why You’ll Love These Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes

• Flexible – these ideas are so easy that you often don’t need specific ingredient quantities
• Kid-friendly – plenty of ways to help introduce different vegetables to kids
• Affordable – vegetables are an inexpensive way to add lots of nutrients to your plate
• Perfect for meal prep – many of them can be made ahead of time and reheated

How To Make Vegetables More Interesting

One of the easiest ways to make vegetables more interesting is to add variety. That can mean changing the preparation method – raw, steamed, roasted, sauteed, etc and can also mean adding different spices and seasoning to change up the flavors. Spices like paprika, cumin, curry powder and oregano are great ways to change up the flavor profile without making foods too spicy for little mouths.

What vegetables are best for picky eaters?

All of them! One of the best things you can do for more selective eaters is to offer a wide variety and offer them repeatedly, even when they’re not getting eaten. Exposure matters and even getting kids to touch, smell or lick things on their plate can be a huge exposure win!

Our Favorite Easy Vegetable Recipes

So, here are 9 quick and easy ways to add veggies to your table. I buy fresh veggies weekly, but my freezer is also packed with frozen veggies and my pantry usually has a few cans of vegetables as well.

Most Americans don’t eat nearly enough vegetables and my motto is “the easier the better” so these simple “recipes” will help add some vegetables to your familys’ plates and hopefully you’ll find some new favorites!

What Vegetables Side Dish Recipes Are Good For Last Minute Dinners?

Most of these are ready in just 20 minutes or so in the oven or on the stove if you need to cook them right before eating. But they can also be made ahead of time and reheated which makes them perfect for dinner in a hurry.

They don’t really require recipes so I’ve just provided a short description/instructions for each one:

Easy Roasted Vegetables – Ginger Soy Green Beans

If you’re not a fan of just plain steamed green beans, try these with fresh green beans! I simply cut the ends off, toss in a little oil and roast at 400 degrees F on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes, stirring once.

Then drizzle with a little sweet thai chili sauce, some soy sauce and a bit of fresh ginger (or ginger paste) and mix well.

Mom tip – If you don’t have thai chili sauce, you can use maple syrup or soy sauce.

Vegetables with Butter – Paprika Carrots

I just peel some fresh carrots and thinly slice them, then toss with a little melted butter and sprinkle with paprika and roast on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until desired softness is reached, stirring occasionally.

You could also use baby carrots for this – it’d be an easy way to keep all the slices similar sized. I slice mine pretty thin both so they cook quickly and are easy for the baby to eat but you could make them thicker and cook them longer. Also- don’t like butter? Just drizzle with oil instead.

If you have carrots to use up, here are 20 Easy Carrot Recipes to try. My favorite are these Easy Maple Glazed Carrots.

Oven Baked Vegetables – Broccoli Tots

Steam a bag of broccoli in the microwave. Drain excess water and add to food processor. Pulse until well chopped.  Add an egg, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 – 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 cup shredded cheese and process until combined. Form into tot shape, squeezing tightly.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, flipping once. Serve with ketchup. Make sure you sprinkle the seasonings around the whole food processor bowl when adding instead of just dumping all in one spot or you may get ALL the garlic powder in one tot like my husband was lucky enough to taste!

Want more broccoli recipes? Try my favorite Cheesy Broccoli or one of these 20+ Easy Broccoli Recipes.

Skillet Vegetables – Balsamic Mushrooms

Thinly slice mushrooms and cook over low heat on the stovetop with a little oil until soft. Add a little balsamic vinegar, mix well and serve.

Mom tip – Mushrooms are the perfect vegetable for even the littlest kids to practice slicing. Give them a plastic knife and let them help you cut the mushrooms before sauteeing. Check out my Ultimate Guide For Teaching Kids To Cook for more tips!

Lightly Sweetened Vegetables – Maple Cinnamon Squash

Cut squash in half and remove seeds. I used acorn squash but most kinds would be fine. Cut into slices – I sliced mine into rings and then cut them in half. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, brush both sides with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roast at 400 degrees F for 20 min or until soft, flipping once.

Simple Sauteed Vegetables – Pesto Zoodles

Spiralize zucchini into noodles. Saute over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add pesto and stir to combine.

Mom tip – a spiralizer instantly makes any vegetable more fun! If you don’t like zucchini, try spiralizing sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and more. Just keep in mine you will need to saute them longer than 3 minutes.

Oven Roasted Vegetables – Curried Sweet Potatoes

Slice and dice a sweet potato. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with oil (I usually use olive oil but coconut oil would be good for this flavor combo too!) and stir to coat. Sprinkle with curry powder, stir and roast at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

Smashed Vegetables – Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Look for the smallest little round potatoes you can find. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Roast at 425 for 20 minutes. Using the bottom of a glass, smash each potato.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and parmesan cheese. Optional – add rosemary to the mix. Also optional- stick back under the broiler once smashed to get them crispier!

Sauteed Vegetables – Peas with Pancetta

Saute diced pancetta and garlic in a pan. Steam peas in the microwave. Add peas to the pan, stir to combine and serve.

Mom tip – Bacon would also work if you don’t have pancetta! Let’s be honest, bacon makes almost any vegetable taste better!

Easy Vegetable Recipes As Side Dishes FAQs

What vegetables are easiest to cook?

Frozen vegetables are a great option if you’re looking for vegetables that are easy to cook. You don’t need to peel or chop them and they pretty much just need to be heated up in the microwave or on the stove!

Similarly, canned vegetables are an easy option as well. Just open the can, drain if needed and then heat them up if you want to or serve them room temperature. Canned and frozen vegetables are also perfectly prepped to be added to things like soups and casseroles.

Here are some more quick and easy vegetable recipes for lunch/dinner.

What is the fastest vegetable to cook? What is the best way to cook vegetables quickly?

The smaller the vegetable pieces, the quicker they cook so if you do need things to cook quickly, dicing them into small pieces will help! You can also look for precut vegetables at the grocery store to save time.

Cooking frozen vegetables in the microwave is an easy way to cook vegetables quickly. You can then add seasonings, butter, salt etc or add a sauce on top for an easy side dish.

Harder vegetables like potatoes and carrots can take longer to cook than vegetables like peas, corn, peppers, beans etc.

Here are some quick-cooking tips for vegetables.

How to store these vegetable recipes?

These vegetable recipes can be stored in glass Pyrex containers in the fridge. To reheat them you can use the microwave, a saute pan or an air fryer.

What veggies are best for meal prepping? Can you meal prep vegetables for the week?

You guys know I love meal prep. I have a whole course called Mastering Food Prep. Vegetables are something I prep every single week. Some of my favorites are chopping, washing and drying lettuce for salads and prepping a veggie snack tray with carrots, cucumbers, peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc. I also always roast a few vegetables like sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans etc to use as dinner side dishes.

Here are more tips for How To Meal Prep Veggies for Easy Meals and How To Meal Prep Specific Veggies.

What are some autumn and winter vegetable recipes? What are some spring and summer vegetable recipes?

Fall and winter veggies include things like brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, kale and other leafy greens. Spring and summer vegetables include things like asparagus, snap peas, corn, squash and zucchini.

Quick and Easy Vegetable Meal Prep Tips

• Roasted vegetables like green beans, sweet potatoes and carrots hold up well in the fridge. Roast a big batch and reheat to serve with dinners all week.
• Raw vegetables can be prepped ahead of time to snack on – think carrots, peppers, celery, broccoli – or you can simply do your chopping ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to cook.
• You’re much more likely to eat vegetables if you have them already prepped and ready to go so spending a little time prepping can lead to a much higher vegetable intake later in the week.

How To Freeze Vegetables

• There are lots of vegetables that freeze well so in the summer especially, you can stock up on vegetables and freeze them for later.
• Try chopping vegetables like bell peppers, leeks, corn and green beans and freezing them raw. When you need them, you can pull them out and add saute, add to stir-fry, put in soups and casseroles etc.
• To help preserve them even further, you can blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two. This helps preserve nutrients and prevent any changes while frozen. Here’s how to blanch vegetables for freezing.
• Leafy greens like spinach can also be frozen and later added to smoothies, soups, and more.

Best Kid-Friendly Vegetable Side Dish Recipes:

Looking for more veggie side dishes? Try these:

• 10 Kid-Friendly Vegetable Recipes
• 25+ Kid-Friendly Vegetable Recipes
• Healthy Veggie Nuggets
• Kid-Friendly Vegetable Side Dishes

These quick and easy vegetable recipes are great for families who want to serve healthy and nutritious meals. They’re kid-friendly, affordable and the perfect addition to your dinner plate.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Need easy lunch box ideas for kids for the 2025-2026 school year? Here’s exactly what a Registered Dietitian mom packed her son for the first month of elementary school, with real life photos.

*Originally published 10/2021. Updated July 2025*

These lunch box ideas for kids are simple, affordable and easy to make. They are healthy and nutritious and can be prepped the night before.

Hi friends!

I’m often asked to share healthy lunch box ideas for kids so I put together a guide – A Month of Packed Lunches for Kids. It’s been a huge hit and given lots of parents quick and easy lunch box ideas for kids. The thing I’ve heard most frequently is that the pictures are SO helpful. A lot of you are visual people! In the packed lunch guide, there are 24 lunch ideas with photos.

But I wanted to add more! So, when my oldest was in first grade, I photographed the lunches that I packed for the first month. I wanted to share some of the real-life lunch box examples.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Lunch Box Ideas For Kids

• Simple, healthy ideas
• Easy ways to add variety
• A mix of homemade and storebought food items
• Easy, kid-friendly lunches
• Supports all foods fit in moderation

If you want even more resources with real lunch box photos, check out these posts:

• Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids – more real lunches I packed my 1st and 3rd grader
• Sandwich Ideas for Lunch Boxes – fun sandwich and sandwich alternative ideas
• High Protein Kids Lunch Ideas – high protein lunches with breakdowns showing the grams of protein in each lunch box.

School lunch and snack ideas:

Before we start, I do have several posts with snack ideas that can be helpful when packing school lunches:

• Peanut and Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks
• 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids
• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Healthy Snacks At Target
• Best ALDI Healthy Snacks

And if you need after-school ideas check out Healthy After School Snacks here.

How To Pack Easy Lunch Box Ideas For Kids

At first, I was alternating between bentgo box lunch ideas in the Bentgo Fresh lunch box and a Lunch Bots lunch box (aff links) but I now use just the Bentgo. While I like that the Lunch Bots one is stainless steel, it’s not completely leakproof even with the silicone cup inserts and my son found it a little hard to get open.

I pack the Bentgo box every evening and store in the fridge. In the morning, I put it inside this Arctic Zone insulated lunch bag and add an ice pack. My son eats all of the foods I send cold/room temperature.

Even things like quesadillas and tortellini that he’s used to eating warm at home. So far it hasn’t been an issue at all for him but some kids don’t like changes in temperature. In that case, you could invest in a thermos or practice eating things at different temperatures at home so they get used to it. 

These OmieBox lunch boxes (aff link) have a built-in thermos and would be a great option to invest in if your kids tend to prefer hot lunches.

How To Get Kids To Pack Their Own Lunches

If you’re thinking packed lunches are great but really want your kids to start packing their own lunches, my friend and fellow RD Sally has you covered:

• Teach Your Kids To Pack Their Own Lunch– free printable
• How To Get Your Kids To Pack Their Lunch In 5 Days
• 100 Lunch Box Ideas Your Kids Will Love

Photos of Easy School Lunch Ideas For Kids

So here are some of the actual lunch boxes I packed. I snapped a photo every day and then just used Pixlr to remove the countertop in the background and make them prettier to look at. A few things to note-

• Our school is not nut-free. 
• A reminder that even if you kids prefer a similar lunch every day, there are ways you can add variety – try pretzel sticks one day and twists the next. Try peanut butter and jelly on bread one day, then on a sandwich thin or pita the next, etc!
• There’s nothing wrong with hard-boiled egg yolks, my kids just don’t like them.

Easy Kids Lunch Box Ideas

#1 Quick Kids Lunch Box Ideas – with hard-boiled eggs

• Motts Applesauce
• Carrots
• Cheese stick
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Pretzels

Mom hack – if your kids don’t like hard boiled egg whites, you’re not alone. Just serve them without and learn what to do with hard boiled egg yolks.

#2 Simple Kids Lunch Box with turkey sandwich

• Quaker Reduced Sugar Granola Bar
• Grapes
• Turkey & Cheese on Brownberry Sandwich Thin
• Ants on a log

#3 Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids – Homemade Lunchable

• Wheat Thins
• GF Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Applegate pepperoni
• Dietz and Watson Originals Organic Turkey
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Chobani less sugar yogurt

#4 Nutritious Kids Lunch Ideas – with Chicken Sausage

• Zucchini Apple Muffin
• Simple Mills Almond crackers
• Buttered Corn
• Al Fresco Chicken Sausage
• Strawberries
• Cottage Cheese

#5 Quick and easy lunch box idea for kids with Pepperoni Egg Wrap

• Simple Mills Banana Bread
• Grapes
• Sun Chips
• Pepperoni and Cheese Egg Wrap
• Carrots with ranch

#6 Quick and easy cold lunch ideas for kids with turkey roll-up

• Crinkle carrot, carrot ribbon, mini pepper
• Wheat Thins
• Dried pears (i get them at Costco)
• Bush’s Baked beans
• Turkey wrapped mozzarella cheese stick
• Trail Mix with pepitas, Cheerios, raisins and mini marshmallows

Mom hack – For most kids, veggies are not an exciting part of lunch. Try adding a little novelty by serving them in new, fun shapes, using a crinkle cutter, etc!

#7 Kiddies lunch box ideas with chicken nuggets

• Cheese and Triscuit thins
• Canned pineapple
• Kidfresh Foods Chicken Nuggets with ketchup
• Stonyfield yogurt tube

#8 Simple lunchbox ideas for kids – Quesadilla

• Tortilla chips with Good Foods avocado mash
• Cheese quesadilla
• Hard-boiled egg
• Reduced sugar fruit snacks
• Clementine

Mom hack – To expand beyond cheese quesadillas, try adding very finely chopped pieces of chicken or mash some beans to spread on the tortilla before adding cheese.

#9 Good lunch box ideas for kids – PBJ Mini bagel

• Peanut butter and jelly mini bagel
• Cookie
• Chomps beef stick + cheese stick + cherry tomatoes
• Fruit salad
• Banana bread

#10 Kids bento box ideas – turkey pickle wrap

• Lentil Banana Muffin
• Graham cracker
• Turkey pepperoni pickle roll-up
• Roasted broccoli
• Dates with peanut butter

#11 – Healthy lunch box ideas for kids – egg waffle and mini pancakes

• Kodiak Cakes mini pancakes
• Strawberries
• Egg Waffle
• Carrot Banana muffin

Mom hack – Don’t forget about breakfast foods as an option for lunch. Most kids love traditional breakfast foods and there’s no reason you can’t serve them for lunch!

#12- Easy lunch box ideas for kids – mini pizza

• Ants on a log
• Golden kiwi
• English muffin mini pizza
• Wheat Thins

So there you go – There are 12 of the first 30 lunch boxes I packed for my son. Want to see the other 18? Check out my Month of Packed Lunches for Kids guide!

Fun Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids

HERE’S WHAT’S IN YOUR BEST PACKED LUNCH IDEAS FOR KIDS PDF:

• Product recommendations – I share my favorite lunch boxes.
• Prep ahead tips – A few tips for things you can prep ahead of time in the fridge and freezer to make lunch packing easier.
• Lunch Packing Cheat Sheet – lunch ideas divided into protein, carbs, vegetables, fruits and snacks so you can mix and match from each category to pack a balanced lunch quickly.
• 24 lunch box photos – full-color photos of bento-style lunch boxes showcasing different lunch item ideas
• Nut-free product recommendations – If your school is nut-free, here are some peanut/tree nut-free snacks you can pack for your kiddos.
• BONUS REAL-LIFE LUNCH BOXES PDF! (Where I share the other 18 real-life lunch boxes!)

Meal Prep Tips For Easy Lunch Box Ideas For Kids

• Chop fruits and vegetables ahead of time to make it easy to add them to lunchboxes.
• Cook a batch of taco meat or shredded chicken to use to make sandwiches, quesadillas and tacos for lunches.
• Prep a batch of hard boiled eggs or egg wraps for a quick protein source at lunch time.
• Do a food prep session of things like pancakes and healthy muffins and bars to add to lunch boxes.

Easy Kids Lunch Box Ideas FAQs

What should a kid have for lunch?

When I put together lunches for my kids I always focus on protein first. I make sure to always include a protein source and then build around that. While I don’t serve my kids vegetables for lunch every day, I do try to always include fruit. If your kids are more selective eaters, make sure to include 1-2 safe foods they love, no matter what else you’re serving.

Added bonus points for including something with some fiber and/or healthy fats to help keep them full a bit longer.

Ideas for quick lunch ideas for kids at home? Best home lunch ideas?

If my kids are home for lunch, especially during the school year when most days they eat a cold lunch, I always try to mix in hot lunches for variety. I try to keep my freezer well stocked with healthy freezer snacks that can double as lunch on occasions like this.

Some of my kids favorite warm lunches include mini pizzas, pancakes or waffles, nachos, oatmeal and omelets.

Smoothies are another great option for home lunches because they can be tricky to send to school.

What do you give kids for lunch that don’t like sandwiches? How do I get my kids to eat sandwiches?

Not liking sandwiches is very common among kids and can take some work on your end to get them to accept and eat them. Sometimes a sandwich can seem large and overwhelming, especially to smaller kids.

You can start by getting them used to eating toast with toppings or an open-faced sandwich. Or try things like build your own mini sandwiches on crackers to get them used to foods being stacked on top of one another. Thinner breads like sandwich thins or tortillas can also be helpful!

Are there any foods parents should not pack in a lunch box?

Be sure to follow any allergy restrictions for your school. In addition, make sure to invest in a good lunchbox with leak-proof containers so you don’t end up with a mess of soggy food, as well has good ice packs and an insulated lunch box to help keep food at a safe temperature until lunch time!

Bento Box Lunch Ideas For Kids

These easy lunch box ideas for kids are simple, healthy and affordable. Perfect for busy moms who want to feed their kids healthy, nutritious lunches.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Looking for easy carrot recipes to use up that bag of carrots sitting in your fridge? Here are ideas for everything from dinner side dishes to baking recipes.

Hi friend!

A few years ago I published a post full of Easy Vegetable Recipes and it continues to be quite popular. Everyone is always looking for quick and easy ways to eat more veggies right?

Since I’m on this journey right along with you, I’m going to dive a little deeper into a few of my favorite vegetables and give you even more ideas for ways to enjoy them.

We’re starting with carrots! Be sure to check out my most recent carrot recipe: Easy Maple Glazed Carrots.

Health Benefits of Carrots

What are the nutritional benefits of including carrots in my diet?

Carrots are packed with nutrients including:

• They’re rich in beta-carotene which converts to Vitamin A and is important for eye health.
• They’re a good source of fiber and are low on the glycemic index so they won’t spike your blood sugar.
• They’re a good source of Vitamin C and several antioxidants.

Types of Carrots

Carrots can be grown in home gardens or purchased. They’re available in a variety of forms including:

• Orange carrots
• Rainbow carrots- typically contain other colors like purple and yellow
• Shredded carrots
• Crinkle cut
• Baby carrots

You can buy them fresh, frozen or canned and at the store you can typically find them in 1 to 3 pound packages as well as available in bulk.

What are baby carrots?

Baby carrots are not their own variety of carrots, nor are they actually baby carrots. They are simply regular, larger carrots that come pre-peeled, pre-washed and cut into a smaller size and shape. This makes them great for snacking because they require little preparation.

They originally started as a way for farmers to still get use out of carrots that didn’t necessarily look conventionally attractive for selling.

Easy Ways To Use Carrots

What are some simple healthy carrot recipes?

If you have a bunch of carrots that you’re looking to use up, here are some general ideas:

• Shred them and add to muffins or quickbread.
• Chop or dice and add them to soups, fried rice and other one pot dishes.
• Put them on a plate or platter with other raw veggies and dip them in hummus, ranch or other vegetable dips.
• Steam, boil or roast them and then puree with a little liquid and add to things like mac and cheese, spaghetti sauce, pancakes and more.
• Spiralize them into noodles, season and saute and toss them in a flavorful peanut sauce.
• Throw them on the grill!
• Toss in a glaze and roast in the oven.
• Slice into coins and saute them on the stovetop with your favorite seasonings.

Simple Healthy Carrot Recipes

If you’re the type of person who needs specific recipes not just general ideas, I’ve got you covered! Below you’ll find tons of carrot recipes for everything from side dishes to snacks to desserts and baking.

Quick Carrot Side Dishes For Weeknight Dinners

These easy carrot side dishes are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner but they can also pair perfectly with a fancy main course for a holiday gathering.

Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

An easy, kid-friendly side dish that pairs well with any meal!

Grab the recipe!

Orange Spice Carrots

A blend of orange and cinnamon that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the carrots.

Grab the recipe!

Creamy Carrot Mac and Cheese

A great way to add an extra serving of veggies to a favorite family meal.

Grab the recipe!

Crispy Parmesan Carrots

Tossed in spices and then covered in a crispy cheese coating!

Grab the recipe!

Golden Potato and Carrot Gratin

Warm and cheesy and the perfect way to feed a crowd at the holidays.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Appetizers and Snacks for Parties

If you’re looking for easy ways to introduce carrots and snack times, parties and daily eating, here are some recipes to try.

Roasted Carrot Hummus

If you love dipping carrots in hummus, why not try adding some to the actual hummus as well?!

Grab the recipe!

Quick Pickled Carrots

If you love pickles, it’s time to branch out beyond cucumbers! These pickled carrots make a great snack.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Fries

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these are a fun change from potato-based fries.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Cheddar Bites

These make a great vegetarian party appetizer and pair well with a variety of dips!

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Fritters

Made with just 5 ingredients and oven-baked to perfection!

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Soups and Salads

Carrots can be diced and added to a variety of dishes, pureed with broth to help thicken soups, peeled into ribbons or spiralized to make noodles, tossed into salads and so much more!

Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup

Rich and creamy and full of flavor. Perfect for cold nights!

Grab the recipe!

Spicy Instant Pot Carrot Soup

An easy, five-ingredient vegan soup that’s made in the Instant Pot.

Grab the recipe!

Stir-Fried Carrot Noodles with Chicken

A fun twist on traditional noodles, this dish is packed with veggies and flavor!

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Noodles

Grab a veggie peeler and turn your carrots into noodles with a simple cream sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Coleslaw

Serve this as a crunchy side dish or us it to top burgers, tacos and more!

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Desserts and Baked Goods

They might be a vegetable but carrots are the perfect addition to baked goods- shred them up and put them in everything from cakes to cookies to energy bites!

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

This gluten-free carrot cake makes the perfect dessert. Made in an 8×8 pan, it’s perfectly moist and full of flavor. 

Grab the recipe!

No-Bake Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars

These No Bake Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars are a fun twist on carrot cake, no oven required! Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Applesauce Muffins

These Carrot Applesauce Muffins are lightly sweetened and kid-friendly. Made with pantry staples, they freeze well and are great for a healthy breakfast, lunch or snack!

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Oat Bars

These Carrot Oat Bars make the perfect healthy snack. They’re dense, chewy and easy to make in the blender. Plus they’re kid-friendly and also make a great addition to breakfasts and lunches.

Grab the recipe!

Carrot Cake Energy Bites

The perfect blend of carrots, oats, cashew butter and maple syrup for an easy snack.

Grab the recipe!

Easy Carrot Recipe FAQs

How can I make glazed carrots at home?

There are several different ways you can glaze carrots. You can toss then in oil, roast them in the oven and then toss in a flavorful glaze. You can add the glaze before roasting to allow for some caramelization. In addition, you can saute the carrots in a pan with a sauce that will reduce down as they cook.

How can I use carrots in breakfast dishes?

Some options for adding carrots to traditional breakfast dishes include adding them to a smoothie, shredding them and adding them to muffins or oatmeal, roasting them with potatoes as part of a hash and more! Try:

• Carrot Cake Breakfast Bowl
• 10 Min Apple Carrot Oatmeal
• Carrot Cake Breakfast Pancakes
• Roasted Carrot Hash with Ground Beef & Bacon

What are the best spices and herbs to pair with carrots?

The slightly sweet, earthy flavor of carrots pairs well with spices like cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika and cinnamon, along with rosemary and thyme and even fresh parsley.

How do I store and preserve fresh carrots for longer shelf life?

If your carrots come with green tops, remove them before storing as they pull moisture from the carrots. Do not wash before storing and store in a bag or airtight container. Storing them near fruits that release ethylene gas like apples and bananas can lead to carrots spoiling faster.

You can also dice and freeze carrots to use later!

How can I incorporate carrots into smoothies and juices?

Carrots are commonly used in juices, especially if you have a juicer. Or try them in a smoothie like this Healthy Carrot Smoothie or this Carrot Cake Smoothie. Here are some more Kid-Friendly Smoothies with Vegetables.

Easy Recipes For A Bag of Baby Carrots

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Looking for the best frozen chicken nuggets to choose for your family? Here are some healthy chicken nugget brands recommended by a Registered Dietitian.

*Originally published 9/2022. Updated 1/2025*

Hi friends!

It’s time for the next post in our best store-bought options series. So far we’ve covered:

• Best Healthy Store Bought Bread
• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Low Sugar Cereals for Kids
• Best Low Sugar Yogurt
• Healthy Crackers For Kids & Adults

Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Today we’re talking about the healthiest chicken nuggets available right now. Because who doesn’t have a bag of frozen chicken nuggets in their freezer for a quick dinner every couple of weeks? I know I do. Even with all of my food prep, there are still nights that get busy during the week with 3 kids and freezer staples like this have saved my sanity more than once!

Healthy Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Are frozen chicken nuggets healthy?

I get this question a lot as a dietitian so let’s talk about it. Are chicken nuggets something I recommend giving to your kids every single night? No. Because variety is important and ideally we don’t want nuggets to be the only kind of chicken your kids will eat. But they can be a good starting point for introducing meat to a lot of kids, especially more selective eaters. They can contain some unnecessary fillers and be high in sodium so it is something I suggest spending some time on to find a brand that’s a good fit for your family.

Protein in Chicken Nuggets

In most cases, depending on the serving size of the nuggets, a serving of chicken nuggets will typically have 12 -15 grams of protein per serving which makes them a good source of protein

However, sodium levels vary a lot brand to brand so that’s one of the first things I look at when choosing the best brands to buy. The lower the better!

How To Make Frozen Chicken Nuggets Better?

The best way to make the most of frozen chicken nuggets is to include them as part of a balanced meal. Use them as a protein source on a veggie-packed salad. Pair them with a side of fruit and steamed veggies. Enjoy them with a smoothie packed with fruit, milk and healthy fats.

Since chicken nuggets can be high in sodium, make a conscious effort to pair them with lower sodium options and aim to include a source of healthy fats and fiber for satiety and fruits and veggies for added nutrients.

Best Chicken Nuggets for Toddlers

How to make chicken nuggets healthy for toddlers?

Remember to think about the meal as a whole when you’re serving chicken nuggets. Instead of serving with a side of fries, which can also be high in sodium, can you add some sliced fruit to the plate or a side smoothie made with frozen fruit? What about a side of roasted sweet potatoes or carrots? By adding things like fruits and vegetables you can definitely make frozen chicken nuggets part of a balanced meal!

How to choose the best frozen chicken nuggets

Here are a few things to look for:

• Look for chicken BREAST as the first ingredient. These varieties tend to be less processed that brands that say “white chicken meat”.
• Veggie-filled isn’t always better. It might sound good to have veggies added but a lot of times the amount added isn’t even a full serving of vegetables so it doesn’t need to be your deciding factor.
• Watch sodium levels. I tell people to aim for 450mg or less per serving but we also need to consider the frequency. If you’re eating frozen chicken nuggets once a month I’m less concerned with the amount of sodium than if you’re eating them twice a week.
• Look for protein. Try to find brands that have at least 12 grams of protein per serving.
• Look for light breading if possible. Sometimes nuggets are mostly breading with very little meat which makes them higher in carbs and lower in protein.
• Consider the amount of fat but especially saturated fat. If i’m not serving nuggets all the time, I don’t worry a ton about the amount of fat, but I do look for brands low in saturated fat.
• Note the serving size. Know how many nuggets are in a serving and serve that, along with some fruits and veggies for a balanced meal!

I’m going to share some of the brands i liked best IN STORES AROUND ME. I recognize that there are other brands available and also that the brands listed below might not be available to you. My hope is you can use some of the things I pointed out above to look at what’s available to you and make the best choice for you and your family.

Best Tasting Frozen Chicken Nuggets

If you’d prefer to see this content in video form, along with a taste test I did with my kids of 5 of the brands I recommend, check out the video below!

Best Chicken Nugget Brands

So here are some of my favorite chicken nugget brands that are available in stores around me. This is not a comprehensive list. I’m sure there are other options out there

Just Bare Chicken Chunks

Nutritional Value of Chicken Nuggets

• Serving size: 3 ounces
• Nutrition info: 6g fat, 1g saturated fat, 16g protein, 540mg sodium
• Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breast, water, seasoning (sugar, salt, spices including paprika and celery, chicken fat, spice extractive, canola oil, soybean oil), rice starch. Breaded with: wheat flour, sugar, salt, nonfat dry milk, dried egg whites, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), spice, paprika. Breading set in vegetable oil.

Costco Frozen Chicken Tenders

These are available at Costco and this is what I buy for my kids. It’s a little higher in sodium but still a good option for occasional dinners.

KidFresh White Meat Chicken Nuggets

• Serving size: 5 nuggets
• Nutrition info: 4g fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 12g protein, 250mg sodium
• Ingredients: Chicken Breast Meat, Whole Wheat Flour, Water, Pureed Cauliflower, Pureed Onions, Unbleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Corn Starch, Yellow Corn Flour, Rice Starch, Yeast, Flavors, Molasses, Leavening (Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda), Whole Grain Millet Flour, Sea Salt. Browned in expeller pressed Canola Oil.

Perdue Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks

• Serving size: 3 ounces
• Nutrition info: 6g fat, 1g saturated fat, 15g protein, 400mg sodium
• Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat, water, wheat flour. Contains 2% or less of salt, dried garlic, sugar, wheat gluten, brown sugar, yeast, yeast extract, spice, paprika extract, onion powder, garlic powder.

Perdue has a lot of options. I like their lightly breaded options best.

Earth’s Best Chicken Nuggets for Kids

• Serving size: 4 nuggets
• Nutrition info: 9g fat, 1g saturated fat, 6g protein, 160mg sodium
• Ingredients: Chicken Breast Meat, Breading (Whole Wheat Flour, Corn Starch, Evaporated Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Leavening [Baking Soda, Cream of Tartar], Yeast, Onion Powder, Spices, Sunflower Oil), Canola Oil, Batter (Whole Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Sea Salt, Corn Starch, Leavening [Baking Soda, Cream of Tartar], Garlic Powder, Evaporated Cane Sugar, Onion Powder, Spice, Sunflower Oil, Extractives of Turmeric), Wheat Flour, Rice Starch, Water, Garlic and Onion Powders, Sea Salt, Spice.

Because of the small serving size, these might be better for/geared more towards toddlers and younger kids.

Applegate Chicken Nuggets

• Serving size: 6 nuggets
• Nutrition Info: 9g fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 12g protein, 350mg sodium
• Ingredients: White Meat Chicken, Wheat Flour, Water, Rice Flour. Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Sea Salt, Corn Starch, Rice Starch, Cane Sugar, Leavening (Cream of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate), Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Yeast, Expeller-Pressed Sunflower Oil, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Breading Set in Expeller Pressed Canola Oil

They also have gluten-free and organic varieties that are good options if that’s what you’re looking for. I’ve personally eaten the gluten-free version and they taste just like the regular ones!

If you’re looking for gluten-free options, here are a few:

Best Store-Bought Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

In addition, there are a lot of gluten-free options out there. In many cases, the gluten-free versions taste just like regular and the main swap is just rice flour for wheat flour in the breading so I still recommend focusing on the nutrition info I pointed out at the beginning of this post. And you don’t need to follow a gluten-free diet to enjoy these brands. My youngest prefers the Golden Platter brand shown below over many other options out there and he does not follow a gluten-free diet.

Caulipower Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders

• Serving size: 3oz (approx 2 tenders)
• Nutrition info: 1.5g fat, 14g protein, 370mg sodium
• Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Water, Rice Flour, Dried Cauliflower, Brown Rice Flour. Contains 2% Or Less of The Following: Tapioca Starch, Salt, Seasoning (Chicken Broth, Natural Flavor), Organic Corn Starch, Rice Starch, Organic Yellow Corn Flour, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Leavening (Cream of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate), Onion Powder, Spices, Paprika, Lactic Acid Powder, Calcium Lactate, Torula Yeast, Extractives Of Paprika.

Golden Platter Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

• Serving size: 4 nuggets
• Nutrition info: 8g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 15g protein, 350mg sodium
• Ingredients: Chicken breast meat, water, rice starch, sea salt. Breaded with: Yellow corn flour, rice flour, water, yellow corn meal, rice starch, corn starch, sea salt, dextrose, garlic powder, onion powder, spice, yeast extract, breading set in non-hydrogenated soybean oil.

These are also available at Costco.

Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets

What are the best frozen vegan chicken nuggets?

I’m not going to dive into plant-based options in this post but there are certainly a lot of them out there. Based on reading a few reviews, you could try:

• Impossible Foods Chicken Nuggets Made From Plants – you can find these at Walmart
• Beyond Chicken Plant-Based Chicken Tenders
• Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets

Best Store-Bought Chicken Nuggets FAQs

Which Chicken Nuggets Are The Healthiest? (Healthiest Chicken Nuggets Frozen)

So which are the healthiest chicken nuggets? There’s not one brand that I would recommend 100% over others because I think there are several good options out there. All in all, I think the biggest things to consider are frequency of eating, amount of sodium and saturated fat and paying attention to the serving size so that you can be aware of whether you’re actually eating more than one serving. More than one serving is fine but it also means you’d be consuming more than what’s listed in one serving on the label for sodium, fat etc. so it’s important to be aware of.

Are chicken breasts healthier than chicken nuggets?

Yes. Plain chicken breasts are less processed and typically have less added ingredients, are lower in fat and sodium, etc. But both can have a place in a healthy diet.

How do I reheat chicken nuggets?

You can reheat nuggets a variety of ways. Stick them in the air fryer or toaster oven for a few minutes, pop them in the microwave, or even put them in a pan with a little bit of oil over medium heat to crisp them back up again!

How long are chicken nuggets good for in the fridge?

Once you’ve cooked frozen chicken nuggets, you can store extras in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Which is healthier chicken nuggets or pizza?

Both are fine to eat occasionally. Chicken nuggets are typically higher in protein. Both can be high in sodium and fat, especially if the chicken is fried vs baked. Both can be paired with fruits and vegetables for a more balanced meal.

How To Make Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets/ Healthy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

If you’re looking for some homemade chicken nugget recipes to try, here are a few:

• Best Easy Chicken Finger Recipe
• The Best Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
• Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
• Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets

Can homemade chicken nuggets be frozen?

Yes! You can actually freeze them before or after baking. When I make my Freezer Chicken Tenders, I like to prep the tenders and freeze them before baking. Then all I have to do when I want them is pull them out and bake them straight from frozen.

Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets for Air Fryer

Healthy air fryer chicken nuggets

Want to try making nuggets at home in the air fryer? Here are some recipe ideas:

• Healthy Chicken Nuggets Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Super Easy)

Do frozen chicken nuggets work in the air fryer?

Yep. I set the temperature to 400 and air fry for about 8 minutes, shaking half way through. Be sure to not crowd the basket. If feeding several people you may need to do two batches.

How To Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Oven

The oven is an easy way to cook a large amount of frozen chicken nuggets all at once. Using one or two baking sheets, spread chicken nuggets in a single layer and bake according to package directions. To ensure even cooking, you can rotate the pans and flip the nuggets halfway through.

If you’re cooking multiple trays, consider using the convection bake option if you have one.

How much time do chicken nuggets need in the oven?

Cooking time will vary by brand as well as by oven but typically you can place frozen chicken nuggets on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes or so.

Best Healthy Chicken Nuggets for Kids

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–

Are you looking for the best healthy store bought bread? Here are some tips and things to consider from a Registered Dietitian. Plus my top picks!

Healthy Store Bought Bread Options

*Published 9/22. Updated 12/24*

These are the best store bought bread options that are both healthy and affordable. Busy families looking for healthy bread options for sandwiches, toast, and more will find several options to choose from.

Hi friends!

We’re continuing our best store-bought options series. So far we’ve covered:

• Best Boxed Mac and Cheese
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• Low Sugar Cereals for Kids
• Best Low Sugar Yogurt
• Healthy Crackers For Kids & Adults
• Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets
• Best Healthy Store-Bought Tortillas

Best Healthy Bread Brands 2024

Today we’re talking about bread. I frequently get requests for bread recommendations and I totally get it! The bread aisle is huge and overwhelming and with so many options available, it’s hard to know which is the best choice.

First, we’re going to talk about a few different aspects of bread that you should consider when choosing which will work for your family. Aside from the nutritional aspect, you also have to consider whether you, or your kids, will eat it. Because it doesn’t matter how much protein and fiber is packed in there if your kids refuse to eat it, right?

So let’s get started.

Why You’ll Love the Best Healthy Store Bought Bread

• Accessible and affordable – these brands are sold at many local grocery store chains.
• Made with simple ingredients
• Focus on whole grains- to get more fiber!
• Low in added sugar

What Bread Is Healthiest?

When deciding what bread is healthy and choosing a bread for you and your family, here are a few things to consider. As a Registered Dietitian, I look at things like:

• ingredients
• added sugar
• protein and fiber
• portion size

Choosing A Healthy Bread

Why choose whole grain bread brands?

I generally recommend choosing whole grain bread as one of your healthiest options. Whole grain means the entire kernel of the grain was used to make the flour. This means there are more nutrients like vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber, etc. Bread made with refined flour means part of the grain most of the grain processed out and you can lose things like fiber and nutrients (although they are often added back in).

Mom hack: Look for the word WHOLE as the first ingredient. This is important! Just because it says wheat flour does not mean WHOLE wheat flour was used. You can also look for the yellow whole grain seal on the package.

In addition, aim to avoid partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup on the ingredient list.

Added Sugar in bread

Is there bread with no sugar added?

It’s rare to find bread with no added sugar and bread can actually be a big source of added sugar (one that people don’t always think about.) I suggest aiming for 2-3 grams or less per slice. Also, consider whether you’ll be eating one slice or two and check how many slices the info on the nutrition label is for. Sometimes the nutrition label info is per slice and sometimes it’s for a serving size of 2 slices.

Mom tip: Some brands have varieties that have 4-5 grams of added sugar per slice. If you’re eating two slices you’re getting 10 grams of added sugar at that meal just from the bread.

Protein and fiber in bread

What counts as high-fiber bread brands?

Aim to find a bread that has at least some protein and fiber. I suggest looking for at least 2-3 grams of fiber and at least 3 grams of protein per slice.

Is white bread healthy?

If you choose white bread, know that it is enriched to add vitamins and minerals back in but will likely be lower in fiber than whole wheat options. Look for one that’s low in sodium and added sugar and higher in fiber if you can find it.

Something like Brownberry Oat Nut is white in appearance but has 4 grams protein and 2 grams fiber per slice, which is good…but it also has 3 grams of added sugar per slice. So there are a lot of factors to consider! Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right is another option.

Best Healthy Sandwich Bread For Kids

When it comes to portion size, many companies now have thin-sliced options. This is great for most people, especially kids. They are often lower in added sugar because the amount of bread is smaller but still can have a decent amount of fiber and protein.

So let me share a few of my favorite options in the stores around me:

Healthiest Bread Brands

Nature’s Own & Sara Lee

• Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat – 60 cal, 4g protein, 2g fiber, 1g added sugar
• Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat– 60 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 1g added sugar

Cheap Healthy Bread Options:

Mom hack: These are some of the most economical options at my grocery store that still have a decent amount of protein and fiber per slice and are low in added sugar.

Pepperidge Farm

• Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat– 120 cal, 5g protein, 4g fiber, 3g added sugar
• Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Thin Sliced – 65 cal, 3.5g protein, 2g fiber, 1.5g added sugar *one slice
• Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Oatmeal – 110 cal, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 3g added sugar

Their thin sliced loaves give the nutrition info for 2 slices so the info above for the thin sliced is half of what’s listed on the label to reflect one slice.

Brownberry/Arnold/Orowheat

• Brownberry 100% Whole Wheat – 110 cal, 4g protein, 3g fiber, 3g added sugar
• Brownberry 100% Whole Wheat Small Slice- 70 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Brownberry Oatnut – 120 cal, 4g protein, 2g fiber, 3g added sugar
• Brownberry Oatnut Small Slice– 80 cal, 3g protein, 1g fiber, 2g added sugar

Mom tip: This company is known as Brownberry in the midwest, Arnold in the east and Orowheat in the west.

Dave’s Killer Bread

Has some great options but can be expensive:

• Dave’s Killer Bread Good Seed Thin Sliced – 70 cal, 3g protein, 3g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Dave’s Killer Bread 100% whole wheat Thin Sliced – 70 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Dave’s Killer Bread Powerseed – 100 cal, 5g protein, 4g fiber, 1g added sugar
• Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right – 110 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar

Mom tip – Some of their other options are higher in added sugar- 4 or 5 grams added sugar PER SLICE.

Best sprouted bread:

Ezekial Sprouted Bread

• Ezekial Sprouted Whole Grain (or sprouted sesame) – 80 cal, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 0g added sugar
• Silver Hills Sprouted is another great sprouted option if you can find it near you!

Best Honey Wheat Bread Brands

These still have some protein but tend to be lower in fiber so just keep that in mind. Look for low added sugar and try to pack some nutrients into whatever you’re putting on the bread. Some examples:

• Nature’s Own Honey Wheat – 70 cal, 3g protein, less than 1g fiber, 2g added sugar
• Sara Lee Honey Wheat – 70 cal, 2g protein, less than 1g fiber, 1g sugar

Healthy Sandwich Bread

What’s the best bread for sandwiches?

So what’s my pick? I’m actually switching my kids to Nature’s Own 100% whole wheat. It’s cheaper than what we’ve been buying, has less added sugar and my kids actually didn’t mind eating it when I did a taste test with them!

Hope this was helpful! Just remember to pay attention to how much added sugar is in the bread you’re choosing and look for brands with some protein and fiber!

What’s the best way to store store bought bread?

If the bread you like is on sale, you can freeze it to use later. Just thaw on the counter as needed. You can also toast directly from the freezer.

Bread can be stored at room temperature in a sealed bag. Note that warmer weather may cause bread to mold more quickly so freezing all or some of the loaf can prolong the life of the bread.

What are some of the best gluten-free bread brands?

Gluten-free bread is a totally different ball game made with different types of flours and often additional ingredients to help stabilize due to the absence of gluten. Here’s the Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Bread to give you a starting point in this category.

Can you freeze bread?

Yes! Bread keeps well in the freezer so definitely stock up when your favorites go on sale and thaw as needed.

Healthy Bread Meal Prep Tips

• If your kids don’t like crust, save them in a bag in the freeze and then pulse them in the food processor to make homemade breadcrumbs.
• If you have bread that goes stale, make homemade croutons.
• Prep peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them. Perfect for popping in lunch boxes.
• Stock up on bread when it’s on sale and store in the freezer until ready to use.
• Did you know you can make French toast ahead of time, cook, cool, freeze and reheat when ready?

Healthy Bread Shopping List

Screenshot the image below to help you remember some of my favorite brands!

These are the best store bought bread choices for busy, active families that are looking for healthy, affordable bread options that are nutritious and taste good.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Here are some of the best Fall salad recipes. Whether you’re looking for greens, grains or your favorite Fall vegetables, this list has something for everyone!

Hi friends!

We’re heading into a Fall and while some people view salads as more of a summer meal, I’m of the belief that salads are perfect for year round consumption. You can easily tailor them to the season by adding your favorite seasonal produce, making them lighter in the summer and heartier in the cooler months.

Today I’ve rounded up more than 25 amazing and delicious salad ideas for you to try! If you need more salad topping inspiration beyond this post, be sure to check out my Ultimate List of Healthy Salad Topping Ideas and also check out my post to learn How To Make A Healthy Salad.

Best Vegetables for Fall Salad Recipes

If you’re wondering what some of the best Fall veggies for salad are, try some of these seasonal options:

• Brussels sprouts
• Beets -roast your own or buy them pre-cooked
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Squash – learn about all 16 varieties
• Pumpkin
• Sweet Potato

Best Fruits for Fall Salad Recipes

There are also some seasonal fruits that make great additions to your Fall salads like:

• Apples
• Pears
• Grapes
• Cranberries – sweetened dried cranberries are a great option!
• Persimmons
• Figs
• Oranges
• Kiwi

With those in mind, let’s get to ideas for the best Fall salad recipes!

Fall Pasta Salad Recipes

If you’re tired of traditional green salads, adding pasta is a fun way to change things up. Grab your favorite veggies and chop or roast them, toss them with your favorite pasta and add greens if you want to!

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing

This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing is a simple, healthy vegetarian recipe. Serve it as an easy dinner side dish and pack the leftovers for lunch!

Grab the recipe!

Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad

This salad starts with a base of pasta and spinach, then adds lots of crunch thanks to apples, celery and pecans. Cranberries and oranges add a burst of sweetness and a simple poppyseed vinaigrette tops everything off.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Pasta Salad

The perfect combination of roasted sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds and cranberries and mixed with your favorite noodles and topped with a simple maple vinaigrette.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Pasta Salad with Squash & Corn

This large salad serves 8! Sweet corn, roasted squash and kale are tossed in a creamy vegan dressing and it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge!

Grab the recipe!

Fall Rotini with Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts

You’ll love this vegetarian pasta salad and its delightful mix of roasted squash and Brussels sprouts tossed in a simple shallot sauce.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Kale Salad Recipes

Kale is perfect for make ahead salads because it holds up well in the fridge. Toss it with your favorite dressing and the kale leaves with soften, not wilt and provide a great base for all of your favorite Fall fruits and vegetables.

Harvest Kale Caesar Salad

A fun change from a traditional Caeser salad, this one starts with a base of kale and adds apples, roasted cashews, hemp hearts and dried cranberries for a sweet nutritional boost.

Grab the recipe!

Autumn Kale and Sweet Potato Salad

Kale, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, pecans and cranberries topped with a maple tahini dressing that everyone will love. Perfect for meal prep!

Grab the recipe!

Nutty Harvest Honeycrisp Kale Salad

Ribbons of kale plus Honeycrisp apples and white cheddar mixed with crunchy goodness like sweet and spicy pecans and pepita clusters, all topped off with a cinnamon shallot vinaigrette.

Grab the recipe!

The Ultimate Fall Salad

This salad starts with a base of lacinato kale, Brussels sprouts and red cabbage and combines them with favorites like pomegranate, apples and pecans!

Grab the recipe!

Crunchy Kale Salad with Couscous

This Crunchy Kale Salad with Couscous is perfect for food prep. Throw it together on Sunday and top with your favorite protein for a quick, healthy lunch or dinner during the week.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Kale Salad

Sweet potatoes and chickpeas are tossed together and roasted, then mixed with kale, avocado and a creamy honey mustard dressing!

Grab the recipe!

Best Fall Salad Recipe Ideas {Vegetarian}

Who needs meat when you can pack your salads with all sorts of plant-based goodness? Fall produce is hearty and rich in nutrients, making it the perfect addition to salads and you can always add your favorite beans or lentils for an added boost of protein.

Fall Harvest Salad

This salad is packed with roasted squash, fresh apples, toasted pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. Paired with an apple cider vinaigrette, it’s perfect for Fall.

Grab the recipe!

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Who needs lettuce when you have shredded Brussels sprouts for your salad base? Pair them with apples, hazelnuts and creamy goat cheese for a delicious side salad.

Grab the recipe!

Autumn Glow Cauliflower Salad

This hearty salad with made with roasted cauliflower and sweet potato, plus your favorite grain and and lemony salad dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Green Salad Recipes

If you’re a year-round leafy green lover, there are plenty of ways to put a Fall spin on your salads to make them fit the season!

Roasted Squash Fall Salad

This Roasted Squash Fall Salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. Packed with vegetables and protein, it’s full of flavor and easy to customize. A great way to enjoy seasonal produce!

Grab the recipe!

Apple and Pear Fall Salad

This apple and pear Fall salad is made with fresh greens, your favorite Fall fruits, bacon, feta and a cider dressing.

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Delicata Squash Salad

This salad makes the perfect side dish for Fall or winter. Caramelized squash pairs perfectly with pomegranates and a tangy vinaigrette.

Autumn Apple Salad

All of the Fall flavors collide in this autumn apple salad – pecans, cranberries, feta, apples and baby spinach topped with a maple dijon dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

The perfect blend of apples and pears, squash and pecans, red onions and Gorgonzola cheese over spring mix lettuce all topped off with a delicious pomegranate dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Healthy Fall Salad Recipes {with Farro}

Farro is one of my favorite grains and it’s the perfect addition to Fall salads. It pairs well with hearty vegetables like squash and carrots and is a great way to add some extra protein and fiber.

Fall Farro Salad with Carrots

This warm farro salad also features sauteed carrots, white beans, cranberries and fresh herbs! Perfect for a vegan main dish or a hearty side.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Farro Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette

A warm farro salad packed with roasted Brussels sprouts, apples, squash, nuts and more and all topped off with a hot honey dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Wholesome Fall Grain Salad with Harissa Dressing

A protein-packed salad made with shredded chicken, lentils, squash, arugula, grains and more! The harissa dressing adds a fun twist!

Grab the recipe!

Nourishing Fall Farro Salad with Squash

A simple blend of squash, farro, pomegranates and goat cheese that’s perfect for Fall.

Grab th recipe!

Best Fall Salad Recipes with Quinoa

Quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse and makes a great addition to salads! Tastes good warm or cold and can make the base of a hearty salad on its own or be mixed with your favorite greens.

Autumn Quinoa Salad

A simple blend of squash, pumpkin seeds, arugula, fresh herbs and quinoa make for a nutrient-dense salad with a maple mustard dressing.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Quinoa Salad

This roasted vegetable quinoa bowl is great for meal prep and features Brussels sprouts, quinoa, baby spinach and chickpeas.

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Harvest Quinoa Salad

Quinoa plus squash, cranberries, apples, pepitas and toasted almonds make this salad crunchy and sweet!

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Wild Rice Salad

If you’re tired of quinoa, try using wild rice as a base instead! Chewy wild rice paired with crunchy veggies is a great combo!

Grab the recipe!

Fall Salad Dressing Recipes

All the best salads need a delicious dressing. Try one of these Fall-inspired dressing to add a new or different flavor to your next salad!

Apple Maple Vinaigrette

A simple mix of maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, garlic and shallots makes the perfect addition to a chopped salad!

Grab the recipe!

Favorite Fall Salad Dressing

This easy dressing takes your salads to the next level with this dressing – a delicious combination of cinnamon, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar.

Grab the recipe!

Pomegranate Ginger Vinaigrette

This unique flavor combination will quickly become your new favorite! Pairs well with hearty salads featuring squash and other Fall vegetables.

Grab the recipe!

Fall Salad Dressings

Three fun new salad dressings to try! Carrot miso dressing, maple mustard vinaigrette and a festive cider vinaigrette. Which will you try first?!

Grab the recipes!

That’s it for today. If you have a favorite Fall salad, leave it in the comments!

Best Fall Salad Recipes

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Need at-work and after-work snacks for adults? Here are some easy, healthy snack ideas that can give you a mid-afternoon energy boost or tide you over until dinner.

*Originally published 2/2015. Updated 8/2024*

Hi Friends!

Let’s talk about adult snacks, shall we? Specifically at-work snacks and also after-work snacks. As a mom, I’ve spent a lot of time lately focusing on snacks for kids.

In case you’ve missed any of those posts, check them out here:

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

Great Snacks For Work

I recently was asked for some adult snack ideas. A lot of my readers work outside the home and are looking for snacks that they can either pack to take to work or prep and eat quickly when they get home from work as they get dinner ready or shuttle kids around to various activities.

So here are some ideas for at-work snacks and then after-work snacks when you get home:

Best At-Work Snacks

Here are a few snack ideas that are easy to pack and eat at work:

• Cottage cheese with fruit– There are pre-packaged options available at the store like Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles but you can easily make them yourself by portioning some cottage cheese into a container and topping with your favorite fruit!
• Nuts & Cheese – Pair your favorite nuts with a cheese stick or some cheese cubes (and dried fruit if you want!) Or grab something like Sargento Balanced Breaks from the store.
• Jerky or meat sticks – Shelf stable and comes in tons of flavors. Most are high in sodium so I recommend them in moderation but a great option to have on hand. We love Chomps.
• Popcorn – A whole grain and a good source of fiber! Here’s how to make healthy microwave popcorn, or you can buy a large bag at the store and portion into individual servings. It also makes a great addition to trail mix.
• Edamame – It’s a great source of protein and can be served a variety of ways. Grab some steamable bags from the freezer aisle – shelled or in pod and enjoy with a sprinkle of salt. Or try crunchy roasted edamame. The Only Bean makes several flavors!

Healthy Snack Foods For Work

I always recommend prioritizing protein at snack time to avoid spiking your blood sugar. If you can add some healthy fats and fiber, that’s even better!

• Turkey Sandwich – Choose your favorite deli meat (here are some of the best deli meat brands), pair it with a whole grain bread (here are some of the best healthy storebought bread brands) and then add things like cheese, avocado, pickles and mustard for flavor. If you’re making the sandwich ahead of time, put things like pickles, tomatoes etc between the cheese and meat to keep the bread from getting soggy.
• Tuna Salad with Crackers– Make a big batch at the beginning of the week and pack it for a snack with your favorite crackers all week long. Here are some healthy crackers for adults. And here’s my favorite tuna salad recipe!
• Hard Boiled Eggs – So easy to make a batch on Sunday and pack a couple every day for snack. Here’s my tried and true method for how to make hard-boiled eggs in the instant pot.
• Egg Wraps – These are so easy to make and can be filled with anything you want! My favorite combo is thinly sliced chicken breast and avocado. These egg wraps are good hot or cold!
• Protein Bars – There are tons of store-bought options. Look for one that’s low in added sugar with simple ingredients. Or try these homemade No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars.

Ideas for best healthy snacks to munch on at work

Sometimes you just need a good crunchy snack, am I right? Here are a few ideas:

• Roasted chickpeas – They’re super easy to make at home, or grab some at the store from brands like Biena. If you don’t like chickpeas, try roasted edamame or fava beans (from Bada Bean Bada Boom).
• Plantain chips with guacamole – Plantain chips are a fun change from traditional potato chips and guacamole adds healthy fats! Or try dipping jicama sticks in guac for another option.
• Popcorn Trail Mix – A super easy trail mix to make yourself. I like the combo of popcorn, roasted chickpeas, plantain chips and chocolate chips. Or try this Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix.
• Veggies and Dip– Choose your favorite crunchy veggies- celery sticks, carrots, bell pepper strips or mini peppers, raw broccoli florets, snap peas etc and pair them with a dip like hummus, Greek yogurt ranch dip or Spicy Red Pepper Feta Dip.
• Rice Cakes with Avocado – If you crave crunchy, rice cakes can be a great vehicle. Top them with avocado and add hard boiled eggs or smoked salmon. Or try turkey and cheese or peanut butter and jelly for other toppings.

Find more healthy crunchy snacks here.

Great After-Work Snacks To Have Before Dinner

Here are a few more easy options that are great to grab when you get home from work while prepping dinner:

• High fiber muffin – We love Lentil Banana Muffins or Sweet Potato White Bean Bars. Pair it with a glass of milk for a quick snack!
• Yogurt with granola – To keep the sugar down and add some texture, try plain yogurt topped with granola and fresh fruit. Or for flavored try one of the Best Low Sugar Yogurt options.
• Trail Mix– Buy it store-bought or make your own. You can use popcorn or cereal as a base, or just a mix of your favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
• Apple with peanut butter – A classic snack for a reason. Never gets old! For a nutrient boost you can mix some ground flax or hemp seeds into your peanut butter before dipping.
• Smoothie- Did you know you can make a big batch of smoothies and store them in glass jars in the fridge? Then just microwave as needed! Try adding some pumpkin seeds and cereal for a little crunch!

Healthy Treats For Work

Sometimes you just want a little treat for a snack and that’s ok! Here are a few ideas that might help curb your sweet tooth but still have some nutritional value:

• Dates with peanut butter: Dates are like nature’s candy. So sweet and delicious. Plus they’re a good source of fiber. Add some peanut butter in the middle for a dose of healthy fats.
• Energy balls/bars: These are so easy to customize and you can really throw in whatever you want. Use dates and nuts as the base. Add seeds, oats or protein powder if you want, nut butter and chocolate chips. My favs are My Go-To Energy Balls. Or try Pumpkin Energy Balls in the fall or Gingerbread Protein Balls in the winter.
• Chocolate Power Bark – Melt some dark chocolate and nut butter in a bowl, stir in some chopped nuts and seeds and spread into a thin layer on parchment paper. Top with a few more nuts, some dried fruit and a sprinkle of salt. Freeze and break into pieces! You can also make a similar bark with yogurt instead of chocolate if you prefer!
• Chocolate Avocado Pudding – Easy to blend up but packed with more nutrients than your typical pudding. Try this Chocolate Avocado Pudding recipe.
• Other options: Kettlecorn, apple chips, banana slices with pb in the middle, dipped in chocolate, dried fruit strips, cinnamon and sugar pumpkin seeds

Best Healthy Non-Perishable At-Work Snacks

If you have a snack drawer at work that you’re looking to stock with non-perishables, here are a few ideas:

• Roasted nuts and seeds – chickpeas, fava beans, edamame, lentils, almonds, peanuts etc
• Tuna pouches with crackers
• Trail mix
• Beef sticks
• Popcorn or Harvest Snaps
• KIND bars, Larabars, RX Bars or other bars with some protein and fiber

Best Storebought Snacks For Work

If you’re looking for store-bought snacks specifically, here are a few lists to check out:

• Healthy Costco Snacks
• Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
• Healthy Snacks at Target
• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Individually Packaged Snacks

And if you have a long commute or spend a lot of time in the car and need snacks for the car ride check out my Healthy Road Trip Snacks.

Snack Recipes For Work

Here are few more of my favorite recipes on the blog that make great snack recipes for work:

Healthy Black Bean Brownies

These Healthy Black Bean Brownies are full of fiber and make a great snack!

Grab the recipe!

Chia Seed Peanut Butter Pudding

This Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding is packed with protein and healthy fats and is easy to prep ahead of time.

Grab the recipe!

Lemon Energy Balls

Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re are perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!

Grab the recipe!

Best Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Flax

This Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe with flax are lightly sweetened and packed with fiber. They make a great addition to breakfast, lunch or snack time.

Grab the recipe!

Tuna Quinoa Cakes

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad or grab a few for a post-workout snack.

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–