Top 5 Snack Tips for the Family On the Go

This post has been sponsored by Fruitlove. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Five minutes. That's literally how much time my 17-year-old daughter takes to get ready for school in the morning. From the time she wakes up to the blaring ding of her alarm to walking out the front door, there isn't much lingering or deviation from any normal routine happening. Whirling dervish has been the term used to describe her since birth, and it's a term that's perfect to describe her now. Trust me, during those five minutes, you don't want to get in her way.
My fourteen-year-old son, on the other hand, likes to take his time. He will often set his alarm to give himself far more time than he needs to get ready in the morning, but I enjoy his more relaxed pace. It doesn't stress me out quite as much. I like to make sure both of my student-athletes walk out the door with plenty of on-the-go snacks like Fruitlove spoonable smoothies from Safeway {check out more details here} because it's often hours before they walk in the door of our house again. So what are the best snack ideas for kids and families on the go? I've got a list of my top five tips from years of feeding my on-the-go family. 

Top 5 Snack Tips for the On-the-Go Family

1. Pre-package Your Own Snacks

You don't have to buy pre-packaged snacks, you can make them yourself. We have a few small reusable containers and on Sunday before the school week ahead, I portion out canned fruit, applesauce and small baggies of trail mix and crackers. That way, snacks for the upcoming school day can be easily prepared and grabbed the night before.

2. Slice Veggies Ahead of Time

Store sliced veggies in the fridge for the week ahead. Make it easy for everyone in the family to grab for them. Add a small container of hummus, peanut butter or ranch dip so there is no need to do any thinking when staring into the fridge. If you don't want to slice your own veggies, or don't have time, many grocery stores-like my local Safeway- have them already cut and packaged for you.
You can also choose snacks like Fruitlove Strawberry Banana Twirl, a classic smoothie flavor combo with five real fruits and veggies included inside. Made with strawberries, bananas, 4 raspberries, rhubarb, and carrots, it's a thick and creamy smoothie you'll want to spoon right into!
The Fruitlove Harvest Berry Blend has bananas, tart and sweet berries, carrot, and beet with Greek yogurt. It has six real fruits and veggies, and it's a good source of protein and calcium as well as an excellent source of vitamin A, B1, and B3.

3. High protein snacks for the win!

I sound like a broken record when I tell my kids that protein will help them stay full longer. Having high protein snacks at the ready, like our new family-favorite Fruitlove spoonable smoothies, will make you feel better knowing that your kids are getting a good source of protein and calcium and an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, and B3 from each cup. Fruitlove is a spoonable smoothie that is packed with real fruits and veggies and can be found in the dairy aisle at your local Safeway. 

4. Convenience is key!

I like to pre-package and slice when I can, but convenience is key when everyone is busy. Don't make yourself feel guilty for grabbing convenience. In fact, pat yourself on the back when you realize that your new favorite Fruitlove spoonable smoothie has recyclable packaging and its own adorable green spoon in the lid. Not to mention, it's packed with an energizing combination of three or more REAL fruits and vegetables and it tastes delicious.

5. Make Homemade

Make homemade when you can. Crock-pot applesauce is easy and lasts for quite some time in the fridge. Hard-boiled eggs will last for the whole week when properly refrigerated and sweetbreads like banana bread or pumpkin muffins will feel like a treat. 

Sometimes the days are long, so make sure you make the most of your preparation time. I hope this list of tips for on-the-go snacks was helpful. Go check out your local Safeway and download the Safeway app for the most current coupon offers. My kids love the new Fruitlove spoonable smoothies. Try all five varieties yourself today!