Packing your kid's lunchbox five days a week can be exhausting, especially if the food returns uneaten. To help you avoid lunchbox packing fatigue, we asked a Dietitian to help us compile a list of healthy lunchbox snacks your kids will actually eat.

As parents, we constantly balance the need to provide our kids with nutritious snacks that they will actually eat and that comply with the allergen policies of their daycares or schools. It is a lot to juggle, but we have you covered. Check out our blog on healthy dairy and nut-free snacks for school for more tasty snack ideas for your toddler’s lunchbox.

What to look for in healthy lunchbox snacks

Registered Dietitian Cheryl Anderson recommends including at least one serving of protein, whole grains, and fruit or vegetable, plus a healthier sweet snack to help keep your kids full of energy throughout the day.

"To make packing lunchboxes easier for parents, I recommend they include a mix of whole foods, like fruits and veggies, with packaged, minimally processed foods, like yogurt cups and snack bars," says Anderson. "Packaged foods that are minimally processed can lower the burden on parents while providing just as much nutrition as whole foods."

Anderson suggests parents check the nutrition facts table on packaged foods to look for the amount of added sugar and sodium listed and try to keep both under 10% DV (percent of daily value). If the %DV is under 5%, this is a small amount, and over 15% is a lot.

It is also important to check the ingredients list for any foods your child may be allergic to and for food additives, such as sodium nitrite or high fructose corn syrup, which increase the risk of chronic illnesses.

Healthy lunchbox snacks toddlers and kids love

Here is a list of dietitian-recommended healthy lunchbox snacks to try in your kid's lunchbox today!

For more lunchbox inspo, please check out these blog posts to find what works for your kids:

• Dairy-free Snacks for your Kids to Try Now
• High Protein Snacks for Kids
• High fiber foods for Toddlers

Unsweetened Applesauce cups

Unsweetened applesauce cups are an easy, tasty treat to pack in your kids' lunch. They contain natural sugars that their bodies need for energy, plus antioxidants and other valuable micronutrients.

Happy Wolf Snack Bars

These delicious, all-natural bars are full of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Each bar is free from preservatives, dyes, and the top nine most common allergens, making them school-safe and parent-approved!

Cheese

Cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium to help support your child's growth and strong bones. We love BabyBel because it has its own wrapping, and it's fun to peel the wax off, but chopping up small cubes of cheddar cheese is an easy, lower-waste option, too!

Hummus & Pita

Hummus is a great way to add some extra protein and fiber to your kids lunchbox. Cut a whole wheat pita into triangles to dip in the hummus for even more fiber. This snack is a good source for iron, folate, and healthy fats, too!

Smoothies

Smoothies are an easy and yummy way to get a ton of vitamins and minerals into your kids lunchbox. Add plain greek yogurt to make your smoothie creamy and a good source of protein, and add a couple of handfuls of spinach for a boost of iron, calcium, and vitamin C.

Cut Fruit & Veggies

Cut-up fruits and veggies are easier to eat and contain amazing nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. Cutting fruit and veggies makes them easier to bite and chew, but it is essential for things like grapes or cherry tomatoes because it reduces the risk of choking.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal isn't just for breakfast! Pack oatmeal into a thermos for a filling and warming snack at school or daycare. Oatmeal is a fantastic source of fiber that can help keep your toddler full for a while and reduce their risk of constipation. It is also a good source of iron. Include some high vitamin C fruits, like strawberries or citrus fruits, to increase the iron absorption from the oats.

Mini muffins

Mini muffins are a great alternative to regular-sized muffins for your child's lunchbox because they provide a sweet treat without overdoing the sugar and fat—plus, they are super cute! They are best made at home so you can control the amount of sugar and fat in them.

Egg bites

If your little ones like eggs, make a batch of egg bites with their favorite add-ins such as cheese, ham, broccoli, spinach, or some herbs. Eggs contain healthy fats, protein, and choline, an essential nutrient for developing brains. Heat and store inside a thermos for an easy, filling lunchbox snack.

Rice Cakes with a nut-free spread

Since many schools have a nut-free policy, try spreading pumpkin or sunflower seed spread on a brown rice cake for a nutty flavor without the nuts! Rice cakes provide your child with fiber, while the seed spreads provide protein and healthy fats.