Seeking Healthy Snacks for Toddlers

As a on the go snack I usually bring:

cheerios
an apple
carrot sticks
whole grain crackers
pretzels
earth's best breakfast bars
Pirate's Booty
a water bottle

Those are what i can think of off the top of my head, some healthier than others, but those little insulated diaper bags can keep things cold with just one ice pack.

I don't mean to sound like a smart a$$ here but teddy grahms, pretzels, and fig newtons are healthy? Don't bet on it.

This is summer and farm markets are FULL of amazing fresh local produce.

Try blueberries, peaches, plums, cherries...you name it. all delicious and in season.

Try whole wheat NO SUGAR, no hydrogenated oil containing crackers or other whole grain crackers with low or no added salt.

Try Heritage Brand O's (no salt or sugar) or Spelt or Kamut flakes for a crunchy snack.

Make fresh popcorn the old fashioned way. (heat oil, pop etc in a heavy pan)

Unsalted Rice Cakes

Raw nuts...like macadamia almonds or walnuts

Dried non salted Pumpkin seeds

If you can use a cooler, whole milk organic yogurt, cheese, or almond butter makes a healthy protein packed treat.

also, don't forget the classics like celery sticks and carrot sticks.

Amd in this heat...WATERMELON!

my girls snack on:
pretzels
goldfish
earths best organic cookies
cereal/snack bars (earths best)
string cheese
whole grain fig newtons
fruit
puffs
cheerios
graham crackers
crackers

graham crackers, cheezits, goldfish, fruit cups, granola bars,

Fruit is great; you can also buy frozen fruit (much cheaper way to get organic, sometimes...) and then it can defrost/melt on its own while you're out. I make zucchini/sweet potato/carrot breads, with whole wheat flour, substituting nonsweetened applesauce for oil, and cutting sugar in half or a third, and take slices with us (good for adults and kids, and it sneaks in some veggies!). I also bring snap peas, and my daughter is lately loving the Kashi whole grain crackers (this will probably end now that I've said it aloud!). You can do pasta, too - if your son will eat plain pasta. I've also been giving veggie pasta (I think it's Hodgson Mills) to my daughter to sneak in more veggies (she's on veggie strike). It seems okay at room temp for awhile. I use small plastic containers to travel - I don't let my daughter eat in the car b/c of the choking hazard, so when she has the container, she's in a stroller or with me, so spilling is not an issue. This may not work if you give food in the car. Hope this helps!

My 2 year old eats:

Pretzles (salt free when I can)
Goldfish
Bananas (so easy on the go)
Appleauce in to go cups with a disposable spoon
Chex Mix (bought in bulk in individual bags)
Crackers
Dried apple
Teddy Grahams (and other small sized snacks sold in the grocery store in individual packets)
Fig Newtons in individual packets

Go Gurt yogurt will last about an hour in you bag (unless it's very hot out).

I buy knock off ziplocks for her snacks (way cheaper). This way I can put anything in one and toss it in my bag or give it to her in the car (my back seat has 5 little bags on the floor --almost empty-- at all times).

Also, I use the Motts Tots juices as they are 40% water or the Earth's Best juices since they are small (I give her one juice a day, if that).

Just a few more to add:

Fruit leather - and Clif makes a fruit braid kind of thing - expensive, but organic
peanut butter crackers (not the packaged kind, but make your own)
Try bringing some hummus to dip the veggies in - my girls love it!
Trail mix - not sure how you feel about nuts. I buy the kind with M&Ms and take them out, with the understanding that they can have a few if they do a good job on their healthy snack.

Hope that helps -

For items that don't require refrigeration I would try:

cereals that are low in sugar (they're fortified with all types of vitamins and minerals)
pretzels
gold fish
bread sticks
rice cakes

To include some items more items, I would recommend getting a small cooler/insulated bag and one of those blue ice things. It'll keep items cold for a few hours, while your out running errands or a trip to the park.