Plan, Plan, Plan. You’ve heard it a thousand times, but planning ahead really can make the difference between a crisis or a save. Keep the tools of planning—plastic containers, sealable plastic bags, twisty ties, package clips, and beverage bottles—constantly available and clean. Block off time once or twice a week to assemble the snacks.

Contingency Snacks. If planning ahead just doesn’t work for you, go to plan B—stock up on pre-packaged, pre-sliced, already prepared snacks. Shelf-stable snacks last a little longer in your cupboard or tote bag. Create a visual reminder in the morning if you need to grab snacks from the fridge before you walk out the door.

Snack Safety. Helmets, knee pads, and coming in at dark. All strategies to keep your child safe, but keeping them safe during snacking is important too. Just because it’s not a meal doesn’t mean he or she shouldn’t be sitting for a snack. Try to get your child to sit down or stay in one spot while they’re eating or drinking a snack.

Portable Snacks. Fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, ready-to-eat cereals, nuts, and seeds make easy, portable, nutrient-dense snacks. Some of them come in their own package (like bananas), while some of them may need advance preparation. Figure out what works best for you and take advantage of these mostly-easy, but very nutritious snacks. Snacks in a Convenience Store. There are times when your best efforts to plan ahead just don’t work out. All is not lost. Convenience stores actually do have wholesome snacks, and you can still save the day.

Hunt for these usually easy-to-find C-store snacks: string cheese, pretzels, yogurt, ready-to-eat cereal in a bowl, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, individual servings of milk or juice, popped popcorn, granola bars, crackers made with whole grain, and sometimes even, already prepped fruits and vegetables! Keep in mind that convenience stores also contain foods packaged in super-sized portions, so share these snacks among family members or save them for later.

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		Tips from real parents: Cheerios are a staple in my 16 month old daughter's diet. She is a picky eater but I can always count on her eating her Cheerios!!! – <previous tip   |   next tip> >More tips on this and other topics  |  >Share your tip