Just when you thought Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 was over, I’ve got one more tasty installment to pull you back in! And what better way to keep you motivated to pack your own meals than to show you some of my favorite sweet and savory snacks packed in super cute LunchBots containers?
Disclaimer: Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are the best items to round out your packed lunches. No one’ll argue about that point—not the omnivores, vegans, or Paleo Patrol. But let’s get real: sometimes, you just crave something crunchy, salty, and/or sweet. I totally get it.
Big-O, my 9 year-old, is a big fan of crispy and salty foods. Similar to my hubby, he’s never met a chip-like food he didn’t like. Thankfully, that can mean roasted seaweed snacks (I like SeaSnax and GimMe brands)…
…homemade vegetable chips (like my homemade kale or mushroom chips)…
…or good ol’ potato chips.
Yes, that’s right: I do buy potato chips once in a while, but I’m one picky mother. On the rare occasion that I purchase potato chips, I choose ones that are fried in coconut oil or avocado oil, and consist of just three ingredients: potatoes, avocado or coconut oil, and salt.
Two brands available at stores that I like are Good Health Avocado Oil Chips and Jackson’s Honest Potato Chips.
Unlike his big brother, however, Lil-O has a sweet tooth (like his mama). For him, an occasional treat might mean a few bite-sized Hail Merry macaroons…
…or some dark chocolate covered almonds…
…or homemade Liar Bars (recipe available in our cookbook and iPad app).
I normally make a double or triple batch, and cut the dough into fun shapes with cookie cutter.
I know that being singled out as the weird Paleo-eating kids in school isn’t necessarily cool among the elementary school set, so I make an effort to have my kids’ lunches look as normal as possible while still remaining healthy and delicious.
My active kids eat a hearty breakfast and supper every day, so as long as they eat the protein and veggies packed in their lunch, they can partake in some “regular-looking” snacks. But it goes without saying that your packed lunch shouldn’t consist of nothing but chips and sweets. I’m not advocating that you go hog wild cramming snacks down your gullet. (I know: I’m a buzzkill.)
Now it’s your turn: What are some of your favorite portable Paleo-friendly snacks that you pack in your lunches?
Check out my epic roundup of Paleo Packed Lunch Ideas here!
Looking for more recipes? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my Webby Award-winning iPad® app, and in my New York Times best-selling cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel, December 2013).
