Eating healthy really can be FUN (it's true!) and easier than you might think. Here are some of my top tips for choosing healthier food for kids.
Do you know where your food comes from? It's hard to tell sometimes when you're at the grocery store, staring down aisles and aisles of pretty packages and fine print, isn't it?
My own family tries to eat healthy, wholesome food as much as possible, but I admit: trying to stay healthy with our busy schedules can be extremely challenging sometimes.
And while we're surrounded by lots of local farms and farmers markets a plenty, where it's easier to know the source of the food we put into our bodies, we often find ourselves having to make quick stops at whatever stores are on the way to our next activity/sports/work event/family obligation.
Choosing healthier family snacks
And, if your family is like mine, we LOVE our snacks. I'm a dessert fiend! And, no surprise, so are my kids. We love our fresh, local, organic fruits & veggies, but we also love, love, LOVE our sweet treats too!
And finding healthy snacks is an area that perhaps can seem to be more challenging. But thanks to the variety of awesome snack products out in today's food world, it's a lot easier than you might think to find wholesome, healthy, organic, non-GMO snack products.
I'm a working mom of two kids who have equally busy sports/band/school/social schedules. So today, I thought I'd share some tips that have helped me find healthier foods for kids while we're out and about. Whether we're at the airport for another adventure, the grocery store, or the local market. Here's what you can look for to help make healthier choices for you and your family.
Disclaimer: I am not a dietician or physician, nor do I even play one on TV. These are tips I use for incorporating healthier eating habits and finding more wholesome food with my own family, and I hope you find some here that will work for you, too!
Tips for choosing healthier food for kids
Choose organic food when possible
I completely understand that it's really challenging for many families to purchase large amounts of organic food, so if you have to pick and choose, go for organic fruits and vegetables when you can. Certified organic foods – especially those labeled as "100% organic" – cannot knowingly contain any GMOs.
Look for foods that carry the Non-GMO Project Verified seal
These are products that have been verified as having non-GMO ingredients by a third party verification system, through an independent non-profit organization. Whenever I see that seal on any food product but especially on snack products that I think my kids would enjoy, I know that the ingredients within those treats are healthier and come from sources that haven't been genetically modified.
Check the first three ingredients listed
Ingredients are generally listed in order of quantity within a product. So I usually seek out products that have real fruits and veggies within the top three. If things like sugar or processed ingredients are listed in the top three, I usually put those packages back on the store shelves.
Now, don't get me wrong: my kids eat chips and candy like every other kid. But as much as possible, I try to make sure the majority of what they are eating is more wholesome than empty, sugary calories.
The first three ingredients of the Ruby Rockets Rock-It Red Fruit & Veggie Pops, for instance, include: Filtered Water, Organic Sweet Potato Puree, and Organic Strawberry Puree. And the company makes a point to list at the bottom of the ingredients list that "Sugars derived from fruit and vegetable ingredients only."
Now that's my kind of sweet treat!
Shop from the source whenever possible
We are fortunate where we live to be surrounded by local farms and farmers markets. Seek out farms near you that offer U-Pick options, which are a great way to spend the day as a family and also get the freshest, locally grown produce to take home. Many farms nowadays often have lots of opportunities for family fun while you're there picking berries, such as playground equipment, farm goats, chickens, and llamas the kids can visit, and obstacle courses.
Your local farmers market is another fun place to spend a morning or afternoon with the family and not only buy fresh, local, wholesome food options, but they're also a fabulous opportunity to introduce your kids to local producers, growers, and food artisans. Finally, check out any CSAs in your area. CSAs offer wonderful opportunities to have fresh, locally grown produce delivered right to your doorstep.
Seek out non-GMO products online
If you do not live near farms or farmers markets, or have CSA options easily accessible to you, you can also shop online. There are many organic, non-GMO-friendly websites now that offer these wholesome product options online, and you can often find free shipping coupons through a quick web search. I've actually purchased a few healthier products that we couldn't find locally from large box store online sites!
What about you: how do you make sure you find healthier food for kids?
Family-friendly dinner recipes
Best Instant Pot Chili Recipe- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken: Make Once, Eat Twice Recipe
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Loaded Nachos- Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce
Honey Bourbon Wings- Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Meatballs
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Rosie says
I love the idea of whole food ice lollies, how tasty do these look. Lick the screen.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Rosie!
Tiffany DeLangie says
Love these tips- especially "read the first 3 ingredients." These pops look amazing- it's great to get recommendations for wholesome products so I don't have to read 40 boxes in the grocery store. ;) Thank you! Tiffany (Pretty Real Blog)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Tiffany!
candy says
Your tips are great for those time we don't have what I need. We grow and store up almost all of our own food during the peak seasons. Unfortunately some of the stores are labeling food as organic or non gmo when they really aren't at all.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Candy. Always happy to hear when others grow their own food as well. It's a great way to get the whole family involved!
Abby says
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you, Abby!
Lauren says
These look really good! I haven't seen them yet but definitely want to try them!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Lauren! They're in most Safeway stores around here, but you can also check their website for locations near you. I hope you get the chance to try them!
Rosie says
These are good tips. It is hard to find the time, so I've allowed it to take more of my time and also budget. I have always been a real die hard about DIY and make from scratch, etc., right down to grinding my own flour, but that is too much!!! Cooking and baking I consider a hobby, so I don't mind the efforts. Going berry picking, farmers' stands and markets, it does make it all more fun for everyone, too.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I'm with ya: we try to make as much as possible from scratch - even homemade cheese and butter are easier than most people think! - but it does take time, which is a challenge, so I'm always happy when store-bought items can be as healthy and true-to-the-source as possible. Thanks so much for stopping by, Rosie!
Aubrie LeGault says
It is hard to eat healthy when you have a busy schedule. But so worth it to take the time to do it. Popsicles look delicious.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Agree - the payoff is worth it! Thanks, Aubrie! :)
Katie says
Love the tips! :) Thanks for sharing
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Glad you like them. Thanks so much, Katie!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Love these tips - I think it must be difficult to get kids to eat healthy, and not be sucked in by peer pressure and TV ads. These ice pops look delicious. I need to seek them out - I think the red flavor would be my favorite too :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It is definitely challenging, especially during school when convenience sometimes wins over time-consuming prep for healthy meals, which is one reason I love that at least in-between activities, we can find healthy snacks packed with fruits & veggies on the go! :) Thanks, Erin!
Mama Munchkin says
We are very similar. Love eating healthy AND are very busy. We utilize much of your tips although I haven't shopped online grocers for non gmo food products. I keep seeing stuff about Thrive so I'll have to check it out. Those popsicles look like they'd be a hit in our house!!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thrive has some great options if you are somewhere that doesn't have a lot of fresh, non-GMO options nearby, for sure. These popsicles are great, and so are the non-dairy yogurt alternatives from Ruby Rockets, too!
Mariah says
My boyfriend loves those popsicles! They're a great treat in AZ heat :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I bet they are especially tasty in the AZ heat! :)
Theresa says
I love your first three ingredients tip. The Ruby Rockets pops all have healthy ingredients I recognize! Those sound delicious.
Linda says
As much as possible. we try to use organic foods in cooking as well as veggies that we grow ourselves.
Michelle Richardson says
Seriously love the idea of these pops! Can't wait to find them in stores and try them out!
Claudia M says
these pops really look and sound amazing ! i'll bet these would taste awesome in a smoothie or slushy also ! thank you
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Great idea, Claudia! I bet they would! Thanks :)
natasha lamoreux says
I would love to see if my kids would like that fruit and veggie pops! I bet they wouldnt even know that veggies were snick in there. Also, I love that they are organic.
Tyneisha says
Great tips! This year we are definitely making the effort to eat less GMOs and more organic foods!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks Tyneisha!
Stacey Roberson says
These are great tips! We try to eat organic as much as possible. But it becomes difficult when the specialty market is almost an hour away. We do stock up when near, though.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I used to stock up as well, but am so thankful that more and more general grocery stores like Safeway are stocking organic non-GMO items. Hopefully it will just keep spreading until it's become mainstream in all of the US for people to have easy access! Thanks so much, Stacey!