With the kids back in school, here’s a quick and tasty snack that will keep them satisfied until dinner. Unlike the usual snacks kids reach for, this one is actually healthy!
It’s simple: deli meat, greens, a handful of olives or nuts, and fruit if needed. While you might call it a snack, it’s really a small, well-balanced meal that fuels their body and mind.
It’s Time to Go Against the Grain!
Ditch the typical sandwich and try deli meat wrapped in greens like kale, spinach, cabbage, or romaine lettuce. Many parents notice immediate improvements in their children’s behavior and body composition when grains are removed from their diet (including grain-fed meat and dairy). Lettuce makes a great substitute for pitas, wraps, or bread.
Kids love deli meat, but quality matters. Most grocery store options are packed with fillers, sugars, and preservatives. Instead, choose uncured, pastured meats with simple ingredients, like prosciutto with just pork, salt, and pepper.
When it comes to fats, natural is best. Instead of hydrogenated oils found in processed foods, opt for olives, raw nuts, or coconut chunks—nutrient-dense snacks rich in healthy fats, minerals, and fiber.
Fruit can be a good option, but too much isn’t ideal. Try vegetable alternatives like carrots, celery, cucumber, or red pepper slices paired with hummus, nut butter, or goat cheese.
Paleo-Friendly Snacks and Desserts for Kids
Looking for more healthy swaps? Here are some easy alternatives:
✅ Instead of canned beans, Beefaroni, or Spam → Canned salmon, tuna, sardines, or anchovies in olive oil.
✅ Instead of boxed cereal, instant oatmeal, or mac & cheese → Homemade soup cooked in a slow cooker (or reheated leftovers). Make it fun—for every spoonful they eat, they get 5 minutes of TV time!
✅ Instead of breadsticks, cheese sticks, or licorice → Beef, buffalo, turkey, or ostrich jerky (Try Bokkie’s Biltong).
✅ Instead of milk chocolate eggs → Hard-boiled eggs carved into fun characters. If they guess who it is, they earn 10 minutes of computer time. If they eat it, they get 20!
✅ Instead of fruit juice or milk → A smoothie with berries, coconut milk, and a rice-based protein like our Macronutrient Formula.
✅ Instead of applesauce or apple pie → Baked apple slices with cinnamon.
✅ Instead of cookies or Rice Krispies squares → Sautéed nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans) in butter or coconut oil.
✅ Instead of potato chips or popcorn → Kale chips, shelled nuts, coconut flakes, or roasted pumpkin seeds.
✅ Instead of ice cream or pudding → Heavy whipping cream mixed with cacao powder.
✅ Instead of yogurt → A blend of coconut cream, berries, and gelatin.
✅ Instead of Jell-O → Gelatin with a few drops of stevia and hot water.
✅ Instead of peanut butter → Nut butter (peanuts aren’t nuts!) or coconut butter, the best on the planet.
Take-Home Message
Snacks can be both healthy and convenient. By choosing whole, natural foods instead of processed, packaged, and refined options, you’ll give your kids the nutrients they need—without the sugar crash.
Don’t settle for cheap fillers. Fuel them with real food!
