Clean Eat Education :: Clean Snacks for Back to School

I know that summer is not technically over yet but down here in GA a lot of schools have already started back!  We are often asked about quick and clean snacks for school lunches. We have compiled our favorites for you based off of our own recommendations and speaking to other parents.  Our suggestion would be to prepare their lunches and snacks ahead of time just like you should be doing yours!  It is much easier if you have a "food prep" day so that everything is ready to go once the work/school week starts!

It might be more difficult to get your children to eat healthy the older they are but it is possible.  We know this because we get countless emails and messages from people who have changed the eating habits of their ENTIRE family!

For the main food option, ditch your typical deli meat sandwich and side of potato chips and pack your children a healthy, nutritious lunch for school!  Instead of the deli meat have your child take chicken (that you have already prepared during your food prep: salsa chicken, Italian chicken and Greek chicken are all good cold) or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but use real ingredients.  Try toasting Ezekiel bread (found in the freezer section of most grocery stores) and adding natural peanut butter (NO SUGAR) with real jelly (watch the portion sizes).

Here are a few examples of snacks or sides that can easily be packed into a lunchbox:

- Vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli) with natural peanut butter (the only ingredients should be peanuts and sea salt) or    ranch dip (made with our Ranch Seasoning Mix & Greek yogurt)

• Plain greek yogurt with FRESH fruit - avoid the Greek yogurt that already has fruit
• Plain greek yogurt with pure vanilla extract & walnuts
• Fresh Fruit - avoid fruit cups
• Dried Fruit - no sugar added (these can be very hard to find...try Amazon)
• Baked Cheese Crackers - as a replacement for goldfish or cheez-its

Does your child insist on having dessert with lunch?  Try fresh fruit or dress it up using these recipes:

• Honey Glazed Bananas
• Cinnamon Vanilla Applesauce

Looking for a special treat to leave in their lunch occasionally?  Check out our desserts and treats page to make them healthy cookies such as the oatmeal cinnamon raisin cookies, cookie dough bites, or peanut butter balls! 

Does your child need a snack in between classes or after school?  Try these out:

• Four Ingredient Protein Bars

Looking for clean breakfast ideas for back to school?  Check out this post!

Monthly Challenge: A Lil' Bit of Lunge Leg Challenge

So who couldn't use a little reminder that lunges are a toned tushie's best friend? Here's a challenge to get you rolling! Don't forget... these challenges are meant to be in addition to all the fun of your normal workout (which is hopefully one of our workout plans!). You can also stack the challenges from previous months!

Here are a few notes about the exercises:

• Walking Lunges - Just that! Keep walking as you lunge forward. However, don't use momentum on your next lunge. Stop at the top and then extend your other leg.
• Step Through Lunges - Essentially the same as a walking lunge but with these you get to use momentum! As you bring your legs together, the leg that you are stepping on to do your next lunge with come up to your chest and then down in the lunge.
• Kickout Lunges - Again, these are walking lunges but as you step up, straighten your back leg, essentially kicking your leg out, and squeeze for 5-10 seconds each time.
• Forward Lunge with a Pulse - Walking lunges, but as you are in the lunge, go slightly deeper, hold for 2 seconds and back up.

Here's the actual challenge:

Good luck!

Clean Eating Beach Snack Ideas

Planning a trip to the beach? We are here to help you make the most of your vacation with some clean food ideas for your trip! These snacks easily fit into a cooler and are healthy enough to munch on all day! Sure, we believe you should indulge every once in awhile but that doesn't mean that you need to eat junk all day and all night long.

Scott & I just got back from the beach and here is a peek into our cooler:

Clean Beach Snack Ideas:

• Fruit Salad (we made ours with grapes, strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, and orange slices)
• Mixed Veggies (celery and carrots)
• Cucumber Zings
• Unsalted Brown Rice Cakes
• Natural Peanut Butter (ingredients should be just peanuts or peanuts and sea salt - NO sugar)
• All Natural Beef Jerky (minimally processed, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives added)
• Dark Chocolate

We loaded these up into our collapsible rolling cooler and found our perfect spot in the sand!

Remember, a vacation is a vacation but that doesn't mean that you should eat unhealthy the entire time. It is about balance so try to eat healthy most of the day and save your treats! That way you will feel good during your entire vacation!

Have a fun and safe trip!

Need more ideas? Check out our post on Clean Road Trip Food!

- Whitney