Get Ready for Preschool Adventures with Healthy Snacks and Smart Packing
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Time to Read: 9 min
As back-to-school season kicks into high gear, the air's buzzing with excitement. Little backpacks sit waiting to be stuffed, while new shoes itch to hit the pavement, and eager but nervous parents prepare for the school days ahead. Though easy to forget about, snacks are still a key part of your preschooler's day amidst all this chaos. As a pediatrician and a mom, I get it—I know how important those mid-morning and afternoon munchies really are.
The snacks keep hunger at bay, and they’re a chance to fuel growing bodies and minds, spark some creativity, and help set them up for a good day of learning. When you choose healthy and eco-friendly snacks, you give them the tools to succeed and teach them a thing or two about taking care of themselves and our planet.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Building Blocks for Preschool Snacks
Good snacks start with good ingredients, right? The kind of snacks your kiddo munches on should be loaded with the stuff they need to stay strong and energized throughout the day. We're talking about a mix of three things here: protein, fruits or veggies, and a bit of healthy fat.
So, why this combo? Well, protein helps keep hunger in check and keeps those energy dips away. Fruits and veggies are little powerhouses of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—plus, they add some nice color and sweetness. And healthy fats are like brain food, helping your little one focus, learn, and grow.
Now, let’s dive into some yummy and easy options that cover all these nutritional bases. How about a yogurt parfait? Just layer it with berries and throw some nuts on top—it’s like a mini sundae but way better for them. Or, you could go with whole-grain crackers, cheese, and a few cucumber slices—classic for a reason. Apple slices dipped in peanut butter with some raisins sprinkled on top? That’s a sweet, satisfying snack that’s super easy to pack and munch on wherever you go.
And hey, let your kids get involved in picking and putting together their snacks. It makes snack time more fun and helps them start making healthy choices on their own. That’s the Montessori way. My kids love popcorn. We make a fun popcorn mix that includes nuts, chocolate chips, and fresh popcorn. It is a great snack for on the go.
Smart & Sustainable Snack Containers
You've nailed making the perfect preschool snack, so now let's chat about how to make it look good. Ready to grab and explore, those tiny hands can have even more fun with eco-friendly, kid-friendly containers during snack time.
Not only bad for the planet, single-use plastic baggies can also be a real pain for little hands to deal with. They tear too easily, spill everywhere, and honestly, they don’t even look that great. To make snack time a bit more special, why not use reusable containers that are not just practical but also super cute? Stainless steel containers are tough, dishwasher-safe, and come in all kinds of sizes and shapes to fit whatever snack you’ve got in mind.
If you want something lighter and softer, a great pick would be reusable snack bags made from food-grade fabric. They’re easy to clean, come in fun colors and patterns, and they don’t take up much space in a lunch bag.
Involve your kids with a Montessori-inspired tip: Let them pick out their own snack container—maybe it's a bright blue bento box or a container shaped like their favorite animal.
While we’re talking about fun containers, have you seen our Circle Trio? Perfect for packing dips, yogurt, or small snacks, these cute stainless steel containers are leak-proof, easy for little hands to open and close, and nest together for easy storage—both you and your preschooler will be happy! If your snacking at home, our stainless steel bowls are perfect for snacking. We’ve made them in a size and shape perfect for kids’ snacks.
Avoid These Common Snack Pitfalls
Let’s get into some snack time traps to watch out for. They’re super easy to grab and go, sugary drinks and snacks that are marketed straight at kids and are a tempting quick fix. Trust me, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze, because those sugar highs are always followed by crashes, which means cranky kids and unpredictable mood swings. Neither of you want that for a smooth preschool day.
Processed foods don’t give your little one the nutrients they need to really thrive. Made to taste good and stay “fresh” on a store shelf, they usually mean two things: sugar and preservatives. At best, those are mostly empty calories—they might fill them up, but they don’t offer any real nourishment. Full of artificial colors and flavors, they're definitely not doing their growing bodies any favors.
What can you do, then? Start by reading labels. Spend a few extra minutes at the grocery store scanning the ingredient lists. Snacks with low sugar content and ingredients you can actually pronounce are what you want. It might feel like a chore at first, but pretty soon, you’ll be a pro at spotting the healthier options hidden among all the processed snacks.
Remember, perfection isn’t the goal here. Totally fine to enjoy a treat now and then. But by focusing on whole, unprocessed foods most of the time, you’re helping your preschooler build a lifetime of healthy habits and a love for good food that’s good for them.
Mealtime Essentials
Make Snack Time Fun & Educational
Let’s make snack time both fun and a little educational, alright! Those Montessori principles we talked about? Involve your kiddo in making snacks is an awesome way to boost their independence and get them curious about what they eat.
With things like washing fruits and veggies, putting snacks together, or choosing their favorite container, get even the littlest ones to help. As they got older, they could be shown some simple chopping techniques or allowed to measure out ingredients. It might get a bit messy, but the fun is all part of it. It serves as a great way to bond while teaching them some pretty useful life skills. My oldest is great at making pizza bagels - sometimes I ask for my little chef to make enough for the whole family.
While they munch, take a moment to chat about what they eat. Crunchy or smooth? Sweet or savory? Red, green, or a whole rainbow of colors? It can be like a mini science lesson wrapped up in a tasty treat! And if you feel up for it, you might even grow some of your own snacks together—herbs, cherry tomatoes, or strawberries would be perfect for little green thumbs.
And hey, why not make snack time social? Share snacks with friends or turn it into a picnic in the park. A great way to connect with others, practice social skills, and make some awesome memories. Plus, it would give the perfect excuse to get outside and soak up some sunshine.
Conclusion
Parents, there you have it—healthy snacks and smart packing can really make a difference in your preschooler’s day. With thoughtful choices, you help them succeed in the classroom and teach them important lessons about healthy eating and sustainable living that will stick with them for life.
Every little step matters. Swap out sugary drinks for water, use reusable containers for snacks, or get your child involved in making their own snacks—whether it’s one or all of these—you make a positive impact on their health and the health of our planet.
Want more ideas and advice? Check out our Mealtime Guide—it’s full of tips, tricks, and tasty recipes to make snack time (and every meal!) a joyful and nourishing experience for the whole family.
Snack time should be turned into a fun and positive adventure, one bite at a time!
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
