Holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy has created five worry-free kids snack recipes that will have you saying goodbye to pre-packaged snacks and treats for your kids. These snacks are healthy, delicious and free of nuts and dairy so they are great to bring to schools with strict allergy policies!
In a bento box or separate small containers, pack these in each compartment: whole wheat or gluten free bread sticks, apple butter and a mix of pumpkin seeds, dairy-free dark chocolate chips and goji berries. Kids can dip the breadsticks into the butter and then the trail mix will stick right on!
Use an air popper or butter and salt-free microwave popcorn to pop four cups of popcorn.
In a saucepan melt two tablespoons of brown rice syrup and two tablespoons of sunflower butter or your favourite nut-free butter.
In a large bowl or high sided pan, mix popcorn and mixture together (let cool slightly).
Use wet hands to form into balls a quarter cup in size.
For a chocolate drizzle, melt together in a saucepan two tablespoons of coconut oil, two tablespoons of raw cacao powder and one teaspoon of maple syrup. Drizzle over top of formed balls and store in the fridge.
In a blender combine half a cup of canned or roasted sweet potato, one banana, one cup of rice milk, one tablespoon of raw cacao powder, one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of vanilla.
Store in a small mason jar and send to school with your kids. Don't forget the straw!
Clean and scrub four beets (red, golden or candy cane).
Slice the beets super thin with a mandolin.
Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Bake in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes or until crisp.
To make extra crispy, store the baked chips at room temperature on a baking rack for one hour.
To make this barbecued flavour, mix together one tablespoon of smoked paprika, one tablespoon of chili powder, one teaspoon of cumin and a quarter teaspoon of salt.
For a sour cream and onion flavour, mix together one tablespoon of onion powder, one tablespoon of garlic powder, one tablespoon of ground dried green onion and a quarter teaspoon of salt.
Keep flavouring on hand in a shaker and sprinkle on chips when you get a flavour craving.
