Kid Friendly Nut Free Portable No Fridge Required Protein Snacks for 7 Year Old

[Kindra178]

DS1 is having some blood sugar issues. He's a mean grumpy mess by dinner if he hasn't had enough protein. Once he eats, he returns to the sweet little boy that he is (with the attendant newfangled burping skills and other potty talking traits of kids his age). This time of year is particularly challenging because of the multiple tball practices, soccer after school, etc. I need some snacks to pack him to bring to school so he can have a quick snack before soccer. Due to his multiple nut allergies, he can't have Zbars, Lara Bars, etc. The bars he can have do not have any protein (Cascadian Farms, Enjoy Life). He's not a string cheese guy. He likes yogurt but that can't stay fresh until 3 pm absent some refrigeration. I saw that Sunbutter made packets like Justin's, but they seem impossible to find. Am I missing a bar? Any other options?

[sariana]

I like Whitney's yogurt smoothies (from Costco). They taste better cold, but they are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration.

I don't know of many non-nut portable sources of protein. Have you tried fitness or camping supply stores?

Can he eat pretzels? What about yogurt-covered pretzels, or raisins?

[mom2ethan]

Does he like edamame? High protein muffins? (We get a Trader Joe's kind, but you can make your own.)

I freeze yogurt tubes when I send them to school and they stay cold. I'm not sure how long you need it to last.

[acmom]

What about a turkey pepperoni stick or turkey jerky?

Or a higher fiber cracker like triscuits? Something with a more protein than other crackers and the fiber might keep him fuller longer. When I had GD, triscuits were suggested bc of that.

[AnnieW625]

Cheese sticks. They taste okay warm and I know I have eaten them not super cold and never gotten sick.

How about some sun butter in a little 1/2 cup container and some crackers, a mini spoon, or some celery or carrots.

Sabra Hummus to Go Singles, I get them at Costco.

[bostonsmama]

I got nut-free trail mix recently that was packed with Sunflower Kernels, Pumpkin Seeds, Raisins, Apples, Chocolate Chips, & Cranberries from Seed Life (Not Nuts). I might have gotten it at Kroger's/Fry's/Albertson's chain.

I would just make him little ziptop bags of trail mix with an electrolyte-container sports beverage. I like coconut water blends and smart water (for no taste).

[mytwosons]

We do some type of meat stick. We can find natural ones at WFs as well as local grocer.

Enjoy Life also makes an allergen-free trail mix, but I'm not sure on the protein content.

ETA: what about Keifer? Costco sells single serve bottles of strawberry and blueberry. They won't spoil if they warm up a bit.

[YouAreTheFocus]

Dry roasted edamame is high in protein. Maybe make a trail mix?

Meat jerky/meat sticks (I believe WF carries "good" versions of these--hormone, nitrate, etc free)

I think a sunbutter sandwich would keep, on whole grain or high-protein bread

Does he not like any cheese? Laughing cow wedges are shelf stable.

Snap pea crisps have some protein.

ETA: Forgot hummus!

What nuts is he allergic to? Are seeds ok?

[american_mama]

hard-boiled eggs, precooked and chilled and ready to go. Pre-peeled if that makes them easier. My kids like them with salt but will eat them without.

[marie]

Peanut Free Planet has some bar options:
http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/Peanut_Free_Snacks_Bars_and_Peanut_Free_Granola_Ba rs_s/86.htm

http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/AllerEnergy_nutrition_bars_s/203.htm

http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/Peanut_Free_Granola_Bars_s/1.htm

The more protein-y ones seem to be sunflower seed or sunbutter based so if seeds are out, then those won't work.

[Kindra178]

He does eat seeds. Thanks everyone. I am going to try these suggestions.

[ahisma]

Would these work? http://www.thekitchn.com/the-good-bean-fruit-no-nut-bar-186125

[curiousgeorge]

What about a protein shake? My kids like the chocolate flavored stuff my DH drinks. He just puts a scoop in a shaker bottle with some water and shakes it up. They don't mind it with room temp water.

[Kindra178]

Would these work? http://www.thekitchn.com/the-good-bean-fruit-no-nut-bar-186125

I how I love the ladies (and men) of the BBB. These are a great option. Thank you.

[speo]

roasted chickpeas
http://thischickcooks.net/2012/04/23/roasted-chickpeas-thatll-rock-your-world/

[happymom]

Chickpeas and hard boiled eggs are a good option. Also, maybe quinoa?

What about packing the snacks in an insulated bag with a good icepack? That should keep a yogurt cold all day.

[boolady]

Can you pack things like hummus or eggs in the morning and them be safe to eat after school? I would love to find a snack to put in DD's backpack for eating at the after-school program to supplement the snack they give them, but am always worried that it won't stay cold enough to be safe to eat. I really would prefer not to have to pack a 3rd bag for the day that has an icepack.

[justlearning]

DS has a nut allergy and I give him Zone Perfect Fudge Graham bars (14g protein). They contain no nuts, although they do say "manufactured in a facility that processes eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat." (I'm OK with that, not OK with bars that say "may contain nuts.")

I buy them from Costco--they come with 2 boxes packaged together for $18 (works out to 75 cents/bar). One box is fudge grahams and one is chocolate peanut butter. DH takes the peanut butter ones to work and my boys eat the fudge graham ones.

Here's a link to the product on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/ZonePerfect-Natural-Nutrition-1-76-Ounce-12-Count/dp/B001ECQ7HS

I also used to buy these NuGo bars from Costco (also worked out to be .75 each), but mine doesn't carry them anymore:
http://www.amazon.com/NuGo-All-Natural-Nutrition-Vanilla-1-76-Ounce/dp/B000EXUB3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365538586&sr=8-1&keywords=NuGo+yogurt+bars

Those are some store-bought bar ideas. You can also make your own protein bars or balls--lots of recipes on the web for those. Here's a recipe that I've made many times and my boys love. I have used sunbutter (my favorite), soynut butter, and chocolate soynut butter and it tasted good all those ways. I've always substituted raisins or craisins for the chocolate chips. http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-bake-energy-bites-recipe.html

[BunnyBee]

You could buy those little condiment cups and lids and make your own Sunbutter single servings.

Homemade protein bars with safe ingredients. Or those peanut butter protein balls made with Sunbutter. There are a bunch of recipes on Sunbutter's site. :)

[DrSally]

I would just make your own bars with sunbutter/ soybutter and safe cereal. Also agree with meat sticks and laughing cow cheese.

[MamaMolly]

Would these work? http://www.thekitchn.com/the-good-bean-fruit-no-nut-bar-186125

Ooooh I've been looking for something like this, too! Thanks!

[AmyZ]

Some brands of lentil chips can be pretty high in protein.

[Kindra178]

DS has a nut allergy and I give him Zone Perfect Fudge Graham bars (14g protein). They contain no nuts, although they do say "manufactured in a facility that processes eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat." (I'm OK with that, not OK with bars that say "may contain nuts.")

I buy them from Costco--they come with 2 boxes packaged together for $18 (works out to 75 cents/bar). One box is fudge grahams and one is chocolate peanut butter. DH takes the peanut butter ones to work and my boys eat the fudge graham ones.

Here's a link to the product on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/ZonePerfect-Natural-Nutrition-1-76-Ounce-12-Count/dp/B001ECQ7HS

I also used to buy these NuGo bars from Costco (also worked out to be .75 each), but mine doesn't carry them anymore:
http://www.amazon.com/NuGo-All-Natural-Nutrition-Vanilla-1-76-Ounce/dp/B000EXUB3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365538586&sr=8-1&keywords=NuGo+yogurt+bars



Thank you. Perfect easy suggestions. I never thought of checking Zone and they are sold everywhere. Sometimes I just give up on checking because I have been shut down so many times! Honestly, this is exactly why I posted here. I knew there would be so many good suggestions.


Can you pack things like hummus or eggs in the morning and them be safe to eat after school? I would love to find a snack to put in DD's backpack for eating at the after-school program to supplement the snack they give them, but am always worried that it won't stay cold enough to be safe to eat. I really would prefer not to have to pack a 3rd bag for the day that has an icepack.

So this. That's why I was hoping for an easy bar that can be thrown in the front pocket of his backpack. And if he didn't eat it, he just could leave it there and eat it another day.

Thanks again everyone.