I’m a dietitian and here are my 10 favorite snack bars for kids

Bars that are full of all the nutrients you want your kids to eat more of—with flavors they’ll love.
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Keeping your kids fed is half the battle, but feeding them healthy foods they actually want to eat? That’s a superpower. If your kids are anything like mine, snacks are the main food group, and if they had it their way, it would be the only food group.
As a dietitian and a mom, I love making my kids healthy snacks like apple slices, peanut butter on whole grain toast, and homemade popcorn, but we often need snacks that transport well and will keep them full and focused in the afternoon at school, before soccer games or during long car rides. For these instances, I always have a pantry that’s well stocked with healthy snack bars for kids.
When I’m busy making the kid’s lunches, I can quickly grab a snack bar and toss it in their bag for an afternoon snack or to eat on the long bus ride home. These convenient hand-held snacks are perfect for older kids but also toddlers who love to feed themselves. When my kids were small, snack bars in every purse, bag, and stroller saved us from many doctor’s office meltdowns and grocery store tantrums.
While any snack will do in a pinch, I like to stock up on kid’s snack bars with the nutrients they need while limiting the ones they can easily get too much of.
Here’s what I look for in a healthy snack bar for kids
Protein: The amount of protein I like to see in a snack bar will depend on how old your child is. Around 2 grams of protein per bar for toddlers is helpful, while older kids benefit from 5-10 grams. An extra protein boost helps them stay full and promotes growth and development.
Fiber: While fruits and vegetables are an excellent way for your kids to meet their fiber needs, pickier eaters may have a difficult time getting enough. Snack bars with 1-3 grams of fiber can help your little one meet their fiber goals, which supports regular bowel movement and helps them feel full.
Added sugars: Extra sugar is added to drinks, foods and condiments and can quickly add up in your child’s diet. Too many added sugars can lead to cavities and increase their risk of high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under two avoid added sugars, and children two and older limit added sugars to 25 grams per day. I like to choose bars that have less than 2 grams of added sugars for younger children (although preferably none when possible) and under 5 grams per bar for older kids.