Healthier Kid Food Swaps Every Parent Should Know

Kids love fun, convenient kid friendly foods  but many popular options are packed with sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. The packaging looks inviting but what's inside is actually scary. The good news is more and more brands shifted their focus to bring beloved kids classics but in updated and healthier version. With a quick label check and a few smart swaps, you can keep kid-friendly favorites on the menu—without the guilt.

Smarter Breakfast Choices

Many cereal bars and toaster pastries hide major sugar loads and even trans fats.

Better options:

Better toaster pops there are many new brands that brought us this classic treat with less sugar and more flavor

Whole-grain waffles - check your local health food store fridge for options 

Cereal, granolas or breakfast bars - the selection is wide in flavors, offering gluten free, nut free, soy free, non GMO, sugar free options 

Healthier Snacks and Chips

Goldfish crackers and baked chips may seem safe but are often high in fat or simple carbs.

Instead go for cassava or corn chips cooked or baked with olive oil, avocado oil 

Healthier popcorn or veggie chips - our favorite is Lesser Evil or Bjorn Popcorn

Real Fruit Snacks

Most fruit snacks that call themselves fruit are really candy in disguise, made often with sugars and flavors, and sugary fruit juices.

Focus on quality of fruit snacks choosing brands like Little Syl Fruit Shapes that offer a wholesome, delicious and made of 100% real fruit fruit roll-up, and best part are the playful shapes. 

Cleaner Fast Food Choices 

Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot pockets don’t have to disappear from the menu—just read the label and upgrade, make sure to look for cleaner choices like Amy’s meals, nitrite-free chicken or turkey hot dogs and white meat chicken nuggets or vegetarian or vegan version.

Bottom Line

Kids will eat healthy food—as long as it tastes good. Choose products with less or zero sugar added, good fat, high protein and fiber and you’ll keep both taste buds and nutrition on track.