A few years ago, I heard a woman (also a mother) speak about nutrition to a group of moms. She declared all dry crunchy foods unhealthy. Everything she said after that was all quinoa to me (and really, she did go on and on about that obnoxious grain). I mean, c’mon, how could a mother place that kind of burden on other moms? Did she not know that she was eliminating an entire food group, even the staple of some children’s diet?
Back in the days when crunchy snacks only meant goldfish crackers and potato chips, she would have had a point, but with the advent of Trader Joe’s, it is safe to say that dry, crunchy foods can actually be a mom’s best friend. Our snack cupboard reflects the diversity of tasty healthy options now available, but because it’s gotten a little out of hand (particularly in the cracker department), I decided to conduct a cracker taste test with my three children. Here are the results of what they liked from 6 different crackers (none liked the gorgonzola crisps–more for me!):
#1 (6 year-old)
- Kashi TLC (tasty little crackers) 7 Grain Original
- Annie’s Whole Wheat Bunnies
- Milton’s Multigrain Crackers
#2 (3 year-old)
- Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers
#3 (21 month-old)
- Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers
- Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Crackers
It looks like my oldest is going to be getting a lot of crackers in her lunch. The Carr’s are my favorites, so I’m a little bummed that I’ll have to feed most of them to my 3 year-old since that’s the only one she likes. Except saltines, which they all like, and I didn’t include because they’re not healthy, but we keep them on hand at all times.
I try to get all our cookies at TJ’s also, so here’s the verdict with those, though I have the occasional emergency snack buying in Target or Safeway (for my 21 month-old when he’s melting down) which recently resulted in a box of Scooby Snacks.
The results are easy because my all of my kids like anything sweet, so I’ll just share the healthy winners (low sugar, sometimes whole grain, sometimes organic):
- TJ’s Whole Wheat Cinnamon Grahams (these are awesome–I eat them with sharp cheddar cheese or cream cheese and strawberries for faux cheesecake)
- TJ’s Chocolate Cat Cookies
- TJ’s Animal Crackers (came in last place, so I won’t be buying them again)
Lastly, there are the crunchy snacks that aren’t crackers or cookies and tend to be enjoyed the most by my children (except my youngest who only likes Pea Crisps & Veggie Chips from this list):
- Pea Crisps (#2 doesn’t like them)
- TJ’s Veggie Chips (not the sticks)
- TJ’s Cheese Puffs (all varieties–white, orange, thick, thin)
- TJ’s Cheesy Popcorn
- TJ’s Whole Wheat Pretzels (sometimes)
- Artichoke Spinach Chips (sold at World Market)
I also keep nuts, dried fruits, and cereal in our snack cupboard, but I’m not going to review those. I just aim whole grains, low sugar, low sodium, low price tag. If I get 2 or 3 out of 4, I’m good with that.
