Hand-held favorites: Kid-approved meals to eat on the go

Let’s face it, there’s just not always time to sit around the dinner table for a family meal. It’s all right to eat on the go from time to time, but that doesn’t mean you have to serve junk food. These kid-approved meals for on the go are quick and healthy, while still being delicious enough for kids to gobble down.

Smoothie

There’s nothing wrong with a liquid breakfast or lunch. In fact, a properly-made smoothie is jam-packed with healthy stuff to keep your little one satisfied and going strong until lunch. Start with frozen fruit so you’re not watering it down with ice, and then add your favorite milk or yogurt. Add a drop of honey if you need a sweetener and some flax meal or baby spinach leaves to make it even more nutritious. Pour the smoothie into a thermos if you need it to stay cool for a while, or serve it up in a to-go cup with a straw for immediate consumption.

Wrap it up

Wraps are sometimes easier to handle than sandwiches, and kids love them because they’re something different. Lay out a tortilla and fill it with whatever you’d normally put in a sandwich. Anything from meat and cheese, to veggies, to peanut butter and jelly works just fine. Roll it up and wrap it in plastic wrap or foil until it’s time to eat.

Wraps also work great for breakfast — just fill with scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa. Add meat and veggies if you like, then wrap it up and you have a great breakfast on the run!

Pizza sandwich

All kids love pizza, but it’s not exactly the most portable food out there. Create a pizza sandwich by toasting an English muffin and spreading it with a light layer of pizza sauce. Add mozzarella cheese and your favorite pizza toppings before topping with the other half of the muffin and you’ve got a great hand-held pizza that’s a lot less messy than the original.

Grab pre-packaged foods

There are some packaged foods on the market that are practically identical to something you would make at home — plus, they’re easier to pack in a hurry (you know, since you don’t actually have to make anything!). A great example of delicious pre-packaged sandwiches are SMUCKER’S® Uncrustables®. These are just like the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches you make at home, only you don’t have to make them. They even come with the crusts cut off for you, so you really don’t have to do anything but grab one and go.

Think snacks

You don’t need a main dish to have a satisfying meal. Several healthy snacks can come together to make a healthy lunch or dinner. Grab a bag of pre-cut veggies, a pouch of fruit puree or a piece of fruit, a cheese stick and a granola bar for a meal that covers all the bases and can be devoured on the go.

Quick Tip

Keep a bin of healthy, pre-made snacks in your fridge so you’re always ready to grab and go!

More tips for eating on the go

Freezable foods that will thaw by lunch time
Keeping your kids on healthy diets while at school
Shopping guide for quick school lunches

Hand-held favorites: Kid-approved meals to eat on the go