7 Healthy Junk Food Alternatives Your Kids Will Love

Have you ever walked into a grocery store and the junk food there practically calls your kids’ names? Unless you walk the outskirts of a standard supermarket, the wide majority of packaged and processed items will catch their eyes when they're wandering down the aisle. Brands are good at what they do. They market their junk food to children because they’re quite tasty and easy to eat.

That being said, we know these junk foods are often low on the nutritional value scale, which doesn’t support children’s developing bodies and brains. Instead, teach healthy eating habits to your children as valuable lessons they can carry with them as they mature physically, mentally, and emotionally. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of seven healthy junk food alternatives your kids will love. Let’s dive in.

VEGGIE STICKS WITH HOMEMADE HUMMUS

The crunch of their favorite chopped veggies and the creaminess of homemade hummus complement one another perfectly. All you need to make delicious hummus is canned chickpeas, tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and a teensy bit of olive oil. It’s easy to whip up in a food processor.

AIR-POPPED POPCORN

Made with whole grains and simple ingredients, you can’t go wrong with plain old popcorn as a go-to snacking companion. Avoid drenching it in butter and add nutritional yeast, various seasonings, or melted coconut oil for a bit of flavor instead.

GREEK OR NON-DAIRY YOGURT

Yogurts made for kids tend to contain artificial sweeteners, dyes, or unhealthy additives. Focus on protein, fiber, and probiotics by choosing Greek yogurt or non-dairy alternative brands—the kids can even sprinkle some seeds or granola on top.

WHOLE FRUIT POPSICLES

Ice cream is a wonderful treat, but popsicles are a refreshingly clean change. Fruit pops don’t have to be jam-packed with sugar to be equally sweet and delicious. Whole-fruit popsicles are one of the seven healthy junk food alternatives your kids will love.

ANTS ON A LOG

Ah, a classic. You may know this snack as a hunk of celery (or a slice of banana) with a dollop of peanut butter on top and a few raisins on top of that. However, peanut butter isn’t the healthiest nut butter choice. Numerous kids also have allergies to it. Try almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter instead. The kids can get creative with toppings and add walnuts as frogs or cranberries as ladybugs.

NATURE’S CANDY: DRIED FRUITS

Fruit is nature’s organically sweet candy. Dried fruits offer a chewy powerhouse of nutrition and are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost immunity. Dates, cranberries, papaya, apricots, prunes, and kiwis are a few popular choices.

TRAIL MIXES: DYNAMIC NUT AND SEED DUOS

Trail mixes containing nuts, seeds, or dried fruit are full of healthy fats and proteins. You can’t go wrong with trail mix (when consumed in moderation.) You can buy delectable trail mix online here at Jaybee’s. Our selections of mixed nuts offer an assorted variety of crunchy, flavorful, and nutritious delight. Your kids are sure to love one of our satisfying snack medleys. Try our Hearty Mix, Deluxe Munch Mix, Honey Mustard Mix, or Tsunami Mix today.