Does this sound familiar? You’re in the car going to another event, the kids are hungry, what do you do? If you are like most parents today, you’re probably picking up fast food or a snack that isn’t very healthy for your children.

Having healthy snacks available does not take a lot of time. It just requires a bit of planning for nutritious food options when you’re on the go.

Here are some tips to make healthy snacking easier:

• Plan ahead. Make a list and purchase healthy snack options at the grocery store, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain crackers, rice cakes, cheese sticks, peanut butter, and nuts.
• Prepare snacks ahead of time. Wash and cut up produce and place in snack containers or bags. Portion cereals, popcorn and nuts into snack-size containers.
• Pack snacks in containers to take with you when you are on the go. Non-perishable items can be placed in a back pack and left in the car. Perishable items such as yogurt, fruits and vegetables should be put in a cooler on ice.

When you have more time you can prepare snacks such as homemade muffins, sports bars, or popcorn. To find healthy snack recipes check out the NDSU Extension Service recipe database.

Watch this short video about how to pack a week's worth of healthy snacks in less than 10 minutes:

Michelle Effertz, Extension Agent, NDSU Extension Service McLean County
Leigh Gunkel, Nutrition Education Assistant, NDSU Extension Service Griggs, Steele, and Traill Counties
Stacy Wang, Extension Associate, NDSU Extension Service