Snack suggestions

[teine]

Hi, We will be flying out of Bangor but driving across the boarder. We are travelling with two young children (2 and 6). I'm looking for healthy, pre-packaged snack-size suggestions for our kids during the flight and to pack in our bags for Disney. All that comes to mind are raisins and granola bars...any suggestions? I'm looking for things that would be available at the Canadian Superstores.

Thanks!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Cut up fruit? Drink paks? Cheese?

You might want to wrap these up lift gifts, just to keep them busy?

 

[LSmith]

Unfortunately, healthy and pre-packaged don't often go together but I wouldn't mind any tips for that as well since I'm always looking in the isles for that kind of thing.

Raisins, while considered healthy by lots of moms is actually really bad for your kids teeth. Ask any dentist who will tell you that you might as well give them gummy bears or any other sticky candy because raisins are filled with sugar and they stick to your teeth after eating them causing cavities.

 

[Grasshopper]

We flew with our kids recently and brought empty water bottles in our bags.
Once past passport control or on the airplane we filled them with water and had a drink anytime we needed one. We used the Rubbermaid juice boxes with straw type water bottles.

This was a way around the fluid restrictions.

For healthy snacks try apple chips or fruit in juice pre-packed snack packs.
Mix a few different things in small ziploc bags like cheerios, mini pretzels or flavoured rice cakes, shreddies and mini bunny or bear crackers and cookies.
I find a few healthy things mixed in with treats can work well.

Water Melon slices, grapes or oranges cut in quarters can be very refreshing too. Wash and put Strawberrys back into the handy plastic box they come.

If the kids help to prepare the snack they might be more likely to eat it too.

When we travel I always buy Crayola modeling clay for the kids. It really keeps them occupied and is not messy. They come in strips of different colours and pack very flat.

 

[YukiPhnx]

I pack trail mix for snacks. Almonds, peanuts, raisins, dried cranberries. Or healthy cereal is a good idea too. Like Honey Nut Cheerios or Honey Bunches of Oats.

You can also try those Thinsations packets. With 100 calories of your childs' favourite cookies such as as Oreos or Chips Ahoy

Another thing I love are Nature Valley's Fruit and Nut bars. Those are delicious.

 

[joandegennaro]

Please keep in mind when packing those snacks that there may be someone with a nut allergy on your flight. I know that Air Canada is looking into not having nut products on their flights for this reason. I don't have anyone in my family with allergies but I do work with kids that are so allergic that just the smell could be fatal for them. Just something to think about.

 

[teine]

Thanks for all the great tips! I guess my biggest struggle is that I don't think I can take either fruit or cheese across the boarder otherwise it would be a breeze. We likely won't have a chance to stop at a store in the US before catching our flight so I was going to bring things from home. Does anyone know if the airlines are now requiring prepackaged foods? I thought I read that somewhere. Again thanks and keep those tips coming!

 

[irisesareblue]

Just a thought but I don't think you can bring fresh fruit across the border.

What about cheese strings? Or the little packets of Ritz bits with cheese (rather than peanut butter given the allergy factor) - or the Quaker rice cakes with flavourings - you can buy these in small packets as well? I also love tortilla wraps spread with spreadable cream cheese. Magical!

 

[squirrel]

They have apple sauce in a sqeesable pouch. My niece loved those.

I found muffin bars (couldn't have granola bars-lactose intollerant), prezels, and dried fruit.

Pretzels or bread sticks with the cheese to dip.

 

[tley]

They have apple sauce in a sqeesable pouch. My niece loved those.

I found muffin bars (couldn't have granola bars-lactose intollerant), prezels, and dried fruit.

Pretzels or bread sticks with the cheese to dip.

We did the trail mix thing (big bag from Superstore, Walmart or Costco will do) and put them into smaller re-sealable bags. Ditto for almonds and some other mixed nuts. We also bought some granola bars (Kashi ones to maintain a small degree of healthiness) and then had some other stuff (water, apple slices, cereal) sent to the room via Garden Grocer.

 

[NikP]

Please keep in mind when packing those snacks that there may be someone with a nut allergy on your flight. I know that Air Canada is looking into not having nut products on their flights for this reason. I don't have anyone in my family with allergies but I do work with kids that are so allergic that just the smell could be fatal for them. Just something to think about.

Thank you for being so thoughtful. As Canadians we lead the way in allergy awareness and protection procedures.

Depending on the allergy severity, a person might not be unable to fly. My son does have a life threatening allergy to peanuts, but it is ingestion only. If it was based on smell, no airline would let him on their flight. They can not guarantee a nut free flight. They also prefer not to have to make a medical emergency landing.

As for snacks, we take anything pre-packaged that doesn't have nuts. I now not a lot of help, but I never take the same things. Everytime we go, I shop by reading the labels and pickup whatever doesn't contain any traces of nuts.
(Usually junk, but hey we are on holidays!)

 

[LSmith]

Thank you for being so thoughtful. As Canadians we lead the way in allergy awareness and protection procedures.

Depending on the allergy severity, a person might not be unable to fly. My son does have a life threatening allergy to peanuts, but it is ingestion only. If it was based on smell, no airline would let him on their flight. They can not guarantee a nut free flight. They also prefer not to have to make a medical emergency landing.

As for snacks, we take anything pre-packaged that doesn't have nuts. I now not a lot of help, but I never take the same things. Everytime we go, I shop by reading the labels and pickup whatever doesn't contain any traces of nuts.
(Usually junk, but hey we are on holidays!)

It really surprises me in this day and age that anyone would think they should eat nuts on an airplane. Especially Canadians who have been educated on this allergy through schools, media, etc. Thank goodness there are no nut allergies in our house but I wouldn't want to be responsible for selfishly putting someone at risk.