Are you searching for nutritious snacks suitable for allergies that are also delicious to pack for school? As a parent of a child with food allergies, the task of preparing lunches and snacks can be quite daunting. Apart from ensuring that your child maintains a healthy diet, you must also be vigilant about potential allergens that could pose severe risks (or to their peers).
Fortunately, individuals with allergies no longer need to compromise on nutrition for the sake of convenience, as there is now a wide array of allergy-friendly snacks available.
When selecting allergy-friendly foods, prioritize snacks that are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. By scrutinizing the ingredient list, you can confirm the absence of allergens in the snack. Our evaluation took into account various factors such as ingredients, nutritional value, ease of use, availability, and cost when considering the options.
As per a nutritionist’s recommendation, here are some top school snacks for allergic kids:
SunButter Sunflower Butter Pouches
These pouches secure the top spot on our list due to their versatility, nutritional value, and allergen-free composition. Each pack boasts 8 grams of plant-based protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of healthy fats. Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E, a potent anti-inflammatory antioxidant. Moreover, they are Non-GMO Project Verified and gluten-free certified.
The individual packets make it convenient to add protein to fruits like apples during snack time. You can also create an SB&J (SunButter and Jelly) sandwich to ensure your child feels included during lunchtime. Remember to knead and squeeze the pack to prevent clumping, as natural oil separation may occur.
GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce Pouches
While fresh apples are the most nutritious and cost-effective option, we understand that they may not always be readily available. GoGo Squeez Applesauce Pouches serve as a great alternative.
Allergy-friendly and nutritious, these pouches offer a healthy snack option for kids. Made with organic apples, organic apple puree concentrate, and organic lemon juice concentrate, each pouch provides three grams of fiber—higher than many other kid-friendly foods on the market—since apples are the sole ingredient.
Despite containing 13 grams of sugar per pouch, the sweetness is derived solely from apples without any added sugars. Nut-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, GoGo Squeez pouches are also Non-GMO. Unless your child is allergic to apples or lemons, these sugary treats are safe to consume.
Siggi’s Strawberry Banana Kids Pouch
This yogurt pouch is the best allergy-friendly and nutrient-dense option available for lactose-intolerant children. With lower sugar content and a concise ingredient list, it is a preferable choice for kids.
Children love these creamy and flavorful pouches, thanks to the 2 percent milkfat and natural fruit flavors like raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry. You can even freeze them for a sweet treat, although this may not be ideal for school lunches.
Siggi’s Kids Pouches contain low-fat milk, protein concentrate, sugar cane, natural flavors, fruit pectin, and live active cultures (probiotics) that promote a healthy gut in children.
One pouch contains 60 calories, six grams of sugar, and five grams of protein. While yogurt lacks fiber, you can enhance its nutritional value by mixing in chia seeds or flaxseed.
Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Sea Salt Popcorn
BOOMCHICKAPOP popcorn is a worry-free snack for common allergens. The salt and sunflower oil-flavored popcorn provides a fiber-rich and satisfying snack that tastes great and is allergen-free. It offers whole grains without gluten or genetically modified organisms.
Each cup of popcorn contains 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fat, and 35 calories. In addition to sea salt, other flavors like white cheddar and kettle corn are also available. Opt for the single-serve packs for convenient portability in lunchboxes, backpacks, or cars.
88 Acres Seed Bars
88 Acres’ seed bars, butters, and ‘nolas are crafted with utmost care for customer health and well-being. Their products clearly outline the included and excluded ingredients. They prioritize local sourcing and maintain simple supply chains to prevent cross-contamination.
With enticing flavors like Cinnamon and Oats, Spiced Ginger Apple, and Triple Berry Blend, you’ll want to stock up on these bars.
To ensure allergen-free bars, they are crafted with seeds instead of nuts and are gluten-free, GMO-free, non-GMO, and kosher.
Each serving of these bars contains 190 calories, 9 grams of heart-healthy fats from seeds, 3 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein. Click “subscribe to save” to ensure you always have these bars on hand.
Enjoy Life Foods Enjoy Life Carrot Cake Bars
Enjoy Life is a trustworthy brand for individuals with food allergies. Their bars are free of gluten, casein, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, and the top eight allergens.
Committed to food quality, Enjoy Life substitutes eggs with applesauce, baking powder, and flaxseed. Their bars feature high-fiber, gluten-free grains like quinoa and buckwheat.
These chewy carrot cake bars, sweetened with raisins and containing real carrots without added sugars, are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Each bar provides 160 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.
Made Good Granola Minis
Made Good offers a safe option for families, with most of their products free from nuts and common allergens. Additionally, each product contains one serving of vegetables discreetly incorporated for added nutrition.
These granola minis are packed with allergy-friendly ingredients like gluten-free oats, raspberries, cranberries, sunflower oil, and vegetable extracts. Their single-serve packets make them convenient for lunch bags or backpacks.
One pouch contains 90 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. Made Good products are nut-free, organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, emphasizing support for organic farmers and eco-friendly practices.
Bare Apple Chips
While these chips may not be the traditional “chips,” they are a fantastic allergy-friendly and nutrient-rich snack made from a single fruit ingredient—apples.
Bare believes in simplicity, baking thinly sliced apples without gluten, fats, genetically modified organisms, or added sugars.
In addition to apple chips, Bare offers chips made from bananas, beetroot, pineapple, carrot, and other fruits.
A single-serve bag of apple chips provides 60 calories, 2 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of sugar. For a variety of flavors, explore Amazon’s apple chips variety pack.
Expert Recommendations
Numerous nutritious and allergy-friendly snacks are available. Opt for snacks made from whole foods like beans, chickpeas, seeds, or dried fruits and vegetables, and avoid those with added sugars exceeding 4 grams per serving. Always verify the accuracy of the ingredients list before making a purchase, as front-of-package marketing claims can sometimes be misleading.
In Conclusion
88 Acres Seed Bars stand out as the top choice for a well-rounded snack—free from allergens, packed with nutrients, and delicious. These snacks, rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, are convenient for travel and can be stored in the classroom for extended periods, ensuring your child always has a healthy snack at hand.
For more insightful articles, you may find interest in: Holiday Customs That Encourage Healthy Development, Encourage Your Child to Eat Healthy Foods, Eating Disorders in Children Affect Both Girls and Boys