Gluten Free Snacks for Back-to-School and Busy Lifestyles

The slow, sweet days of summer are coming to an end, which means it is time to start planning gluten free snacks for back-to-school and busy lifestyles. It is essential to make this a part of your preparation for going back to school the same way you do clothes and school supply shopping. Afterall, most kids eat snacks every day, and sometimes twice a day at that, so why not start mapping out your gluten free snack strategy now?

Start Planning Gluten Free Snack Ideas Now for an A+ in Preparation

Let’s face it, getting the new school year started is anything but relaxing. There are early wake up alarms, rushing out the door, homework, school forms to sign and return, and plenty of supplies still to buy. It can make the first week or two of back-to-school feel like a blur.

That said, are you going to have time to plan out healthy and safe gluten free snacks for your family while balancing the onslaught of paperwork, errands, and other aspects of your busy lifestyle?

Why not go ahead and start strategizing on what snacks you will have at the house for easy grab and go now, while you have the time? With this planning out of the way, it is one less thing you will deal with on those crazy first few weeks adjusting to a back-to-school routine. We’ve been there…which is why we want to help. Let’s dive in.

What Are Some Tasty Gluten Free Snack Ideas for Back-to-School and Busy Lifestyles?

Your Pinterest board may be full of snack ideas for going back to school, but unless they make it on a grocery list, it doesn’t do much to help you. Pro Tip: Try creating a go-to list of safe, gluten free snacks that you can rotate through each month. This helps keep you from having to dedicate precious time on a snack list, and it can avoid constant repetition.

Here are some suggestions to get your snack list started. Just remember, it is essential to check the ingredient labels of each item to ensure the brand and product you are buying is indeed gluten free and safe for your family’s consumption.

• Fresh fruit. Think apple slices, oranges, grapes, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and more. Be sure to incorporate the fruits that are your kids’ favorites and avoid the ones that aren’t.
• Fresh veggies. These will be more of a favorite if you cut them up and bag them for easy grab and go. Some of the most popular veggies tend to be carrot sticks and celery sticks as a side. But don’t be afraid to branch out and include broccoli, cauliflower, or sugar snap peas. If you have a picky eater, vegetables may be more attractive when served with ranch dressing or hummus for extra flavor. Again, just be sure to check the label of any dips you plan to have on hand to avoid gluten.
• If you have young ones, consider buying the twist and squeeze containers to make it easier for teachers on lunch duty so they don’t have to help a child peel back the cover of a cup. Older kids should do just fine with the premade cups – but don’t forget to pack a spoon!
• Fortunately, yogurt comes in virtually every size, shape and flavor, which makes it more popular. Whether you choose the long and slender squeeze packets or a cup, make sure that how it opens does not cause a problem for your child.
• For a sweeter treat, prepackaged pudding cups may be an idea for students. However, they do require a spoon.
• Cheese sticks. For a protein-filled snack, your student may want to take a cheese stick to pair with some fruit or veggies. If the packaging poses a challenge, go ahead and unwrap the cheese stick and place it in an easier to open snack baggie.
• Nuts & seeds. Providing your student with a portion-controlled baggie of nuts and seeds can be a great way for them to incorporate protein into their diets. Just be aware that this may be a better after-school snack at home since you eat nuts and seeds with your hands, which may pose an increased allergy risk to people in the classroom.
• Homemade granola bars. Whether you decide to get creative with this and make your own or purchase a ready-made box, this is an easy grab and go snack for kids. It can be an excellent way to squeeze in some grains as well, but make sure they are not contaminated with gluten.
• Energy bites. There are hundreds of different recipes for energy bites. Do some searching online and make one that you like, or another alternative is to come up with your own unique recipe that is suited to your kids’ tastes.
• A small bag of salty, gluten free pretzels with a hefty side of crunch can be a favorite for the whole family and does not require refrigeration.
• This salty favorite is served a dozen different ways with different popcorn flavors and optional add ins. Come up with a flavor combination that will be a hit for your child.
• Rice cakes. These come in a variety of different flavors and sizes. However, depending on your child’s craving for flavor, they may want a little extra like a tablespoon of peanut butter or hazelnut spread to go on it.
• If there are still muffins around after a busy weekday morning, they make great snacks as well. While the flavor combinations are endless, one of our personal favorites is our own blueberry muffins.
• These are a great snack for someone with a sweet tooth. We may be biased when it comes to cookies, but our certified gluten free chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies are out of this world!
• Sweet breads. Especially for teens who like to roll into school with a coffee cup or latte in one hand and a little snack in the other, a slice of gluten free pumpkin or lemon bread can be a hit. Buy one of our certified gluten free pumpkin or lemon loaves and you may have their snacks planned for the whole week!

How To Save Time by Prepping Gluten Free Snacks Ahead of Time

Once you have a snack list put together, know the importance of prepping everything for the week on a Sunday afternoon. There are four primary advantages to doing so:

1. Getting everything ready before the week starts can help cut down on weekday stress that tends to overwhelm parents and their kids.
2. Packing snacks and products early allows you to put them in grab and go containers, whether it is reusable plastic containers or plastic baggies. This means your kids can grab and go with these snacks rather than asking you to stop what you are doing and help them each morning.
3. Once the gluten free snacks are prepped and packaged, be sure to store them in the refrigerator and pantry at your kids’ eyelevel to make them easy to locate and reach. The same principle can be applied for items your child may want to put in their school lunch.
4. Lastly, label everything with your child’s name and the words “gluten free.” This can cut down on mix-ups at the lunch table and provide extra reassurance to a child that the snack is indeed theirs and is safe to eat. To save a little time and energy, buy stickers with this information and simply add them to snack containers.

Children who have celiac disease or allergies need caregivers who will go the extra mile in ensuring they have safe food packed for meals and snacks. It can even be a good idea to get your child involved in the process to build some ownership and awareness. Work together to come up with delicious gluten free snacks for back-to-school and busy lifestyles so that even when life is hectic, your taste buds and your gut will be happy.

FAQs

Q: How do I know which snacks are gluten free?

A: Look for packaging that is clearly labeled and for an extra measure of comfort, look for the Certified Gluten Free symbol.

Q: Are gluten free snacks expensive?

A: They can be, but don’t have to be. Look for snacks that are sold in bulk and pair a more expensive snack with a less expensive one to help those foods go further.

Q: Does it matter what the packaging of the snack is like?

A: It can. Be sure to choose packaging that your child can operate on their own without help from an adult. This promotes independence and cuts down on the potential for accidental gluten contamination.