Back to School Snack Packs

It’s back to school time, which means it’s time to plan healthy snacks to fuel your kids. Not only do they need great-tasting, hunger-busting snacks, they also need foods that will help them thrive throughout each day. There are plenty of foods to choose from that naturally boost brain function, bolster the immune system, and provide sustained energy. Here are several particularly good choices for each category, plus four ideas for putting them together in Stackable Snack Packs your kids will love.

Best brain foods:

• Nuts—especially walnuts
• Fruit—especially berries
• Pumpkin seeds
• Dark chocolate
• Eggs

Nutritious immune boosters:

• Sweet potato
• Fruit—berries, citrus, kiwi, papaya, apple
• Veggies—especially tomatoes and red bell peppers
• Nuts—especially almonds
• Sunflower seeds
• Dark chocolate
• Yogurt

Eats for sustained energy:

• Fruit—banana, apple, orange, strawberries, melon
• Avocado (guacamole)
• Sweet potato
• Goji berries
• Beans—Edamame, chickpeas
• Nuts & seeds—almonds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds
• Whole grains—quinoa, steel-cut oats, whole grain bread or crackers
• Dark chocolate
• Dairy—Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese
• Eggs