11 Trader Joe's Treats That Will Make You the Best Snack Mom Ever
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While serving as your kids' professional lunch packer, weekday chauffeur, personal wake-up call, and much, much more, you're often left with little time to prepare them homemade snacks. Luckily, Trader Joe's has healthy, inexpensive, and wildly convenient treats that will surely become greatest hits on your family's grocery list. Here are a few of the best TJ's snacks to feed your kids when afternoon (or any time, really) hunger strikes.
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Dark-Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Slims
Kids will love the salty and sweet combination in these addictive pretzels. The chocolaty snack makes a delicious lunchtime surprise or postdinner treat — for both you and your kids.
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Everything Pretzel Slims
Not keen on the sweet stuff? Grab these supersavory pretzel slims, as rich in spices as an everything bagel. Your kids will love dipping them in hummus or peanut butter for a snack that will keep them full until dinnertime.
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Dried Baby Bananas
Fruit makes a wonderfully healthy snack, but when your kids are on the go, juicy berries or oranges can turn into a sticky, stain-making mess. Opt for dried fruit instead, like these tasty, crunchy banana pieces.
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Cheddar Rocket Crackers
Since kids' snacks should be just as fun to play with as they are to eat, these crispy, cheesy rockets soar high on the best-snacks list.
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Organic Celery Hearts and Peanut Butter
Quick foods don't necessarily have to come prepackaged; if you have a minute to spare, slice up celery sticks and fill them with peanut butter for a tried-and-true healthy snack.
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PB&J Bars
Whoever decided to put the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly into one oat bar deserves a medal. When you hand these nutty, strawberry-rich treats to your kids, they'll forget cookies ever existed, if just for a moment.
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Organic Fruit Sauce Crushers
Kids already love applesauce, but they tend to award extra points to any food they can squeeze from a pouch. Another bonus? They're made without any artificial flavors or preservatives.
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Organic Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Homemade Nutter Butter sandwich cookies? Ain't nobody got time for that! A serving of these in a plastic bag makes for a snack that will have your kids smiling with sweet-and-salty bliss.
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Organic Fruit Wraps
Kids will love these colorful and stretchy strips when a candy craving hits. Made with real fruit, they're a much healthier alternative to snacks like Fruit by the Foot.
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Trail Mix Granola Bars
It's tough to find kid-friendly granola bars that have fewer than 10 grams of sugar. These gems have nine, and they pack all of the sweet, savory, and tart flavors of trail mix into one convenient bar.
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Mild Cheddar Cheese Snack Sticks
These creamy, flavorful cheddar cheese sticks are individually wrapped, so they're perfect for throwing in your kids' lunchboxes or passing out as a quick after-school snack. Plus, there are few places besides TJ's where you can get a dozen cheese sticks for just $4.