The Lanby's Ultimate Guide to Kids' Snacks & Packaged Foods

When it comes to kids' nutrition, snacks matter more than we think. They're not just fillers between meals, they're opportunities to support growth, stabilize energy, and shape long-term eating habits. At The Lanby, we focus on snacks that are simple, nutrient-dense, and made with real ingredients without unnecessary additives, excess sugar, or ultra-processed fillers.

This is our full pantry list: the registered dietitian-approved, category-by-category lineup we reach for again and again, from baby food pouches to lunchbox staples to the after-school snack drawer.

Real Food Pouches

Serenity Kids and Once Upon a Farm are our go-to pouch brands. Serenity Kids leans savory, blending ethically sourced meats with organic veggies and healthy fats like olive oil or coconut cream, a nice break from the fruit-forward pouches that dominate the baby aisle. Once Upon a Farm uses cold-pressed, organic fruit and veggie blends with no added sugar.

Why we like it: Both brands prioritize whole, organic ingredients over fillers, and Serenity Kids' savory recipes help expand a baby's palate beyond sweet flavors early on.

Crackers, Cookies & Baked Snacks

Simple Mills almond and seed flour crackers are a staple, made with nuts and seeds instead of refined flour for a more nutrient-dense bite. Ella's Flats takes it even further with crackers made from nothing but seeds and spices, no flour at all. And Skout Organic rounds things out with certified organic, plant-based bars and soft-baked cookies sweetened naturally with dates.

Why we like it: Higher in protein, fiber, and healthy fats than conventional crackers and cookies, which helps keep kids fuller for longer. Pair with hummus or cheese for a more balanced snack.

Chips

Siete Foods, Boulder Canyon, and Jackson's are our picks for a better chip. Siete makes grain-free tortilla chips with cassava flour and avocado oil; Boulder Canyon kettle-cooks in avocado and olive oil instead of seed oils; and Jackson's cooks everything, from kettle chips to veggie straws, in avocado oil, free of the top nine allergens.

Why we like it: Cooked in real, stable oils instead of industrial seed oils, with none of the artificial flavor dust that coats a lot of conventional chips.

Rice Cakes

Lundberg Family Farms rice cakes are made with organic, whole-grain rice and simple seasonings, no artificial flavors or preservatives.

Why we like it: A light, crunchy base that's easy to top with nut butter, avocado, or hummus for a more complete snack.

Popcorn

LesserEvil popcorn is organic, air-popped, and made with simple ingredients like coconut oil and Himalayan salt.

Why we like it: A whole-grain snack that's light but satisfying, ideal for older kids and movie nights without the synthetic butter flavoring.

Meat Sticks

The New Primal and Chomps make our favorite meat sticks—clean, protein-forward snacks made from grass-fed or free-range meats with no nitrates, nitrites, or added sugar.

Why we like it: A portable, protein-dense snack that helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps kids full between meals, especially useful for after-school hunger.

Smoothie Melts

Amara Organic Foods smoothie melts are made from real fruits and vegetables, often blended with coconut milk for healthy fats. They're soft, easy to eat, and ideal for younger kids.

Why we like it: They combine produce and healthy fats in a way that supports satiety and steady energy, with zero added sugar.

Bars

Once Upon a Farm, Skout Organic, and BTR Nation cover our bar rotation. BTR Nation's bars are boosted with superfoods and adaptogens and have zero added sugar, sweetened only with a touch of monk fruit.

Why we like it: Real, whole-food ingredients with balanced macros, not candy bars dressed up in health-halo packaging.

Cereal

Lovebird and Seven Sundays make our favorite cereals, grain-free or gluten-free, high in protein, and free of refined sugar and artificial dyes.

Why we like it: A real-food alternative to the neon, sugar-first cereals that dominate the cereal aisle, without sacrificing the crunch kids love.

Lollipops

Beekeeper's Naturals lollipops are made with propolis and other naturally derived, immune-supporting ingredients instead of high-fructose corn syrup and dyes.

Why we like it: A treat that still does something for the body, useful for soothing a scratchy throat during cold season.

Pasta

Brami and Jovial are our pasta staples. Brami blends Italian durum wheat with lupini beans for extra protein and fiber; Jovial offers high-quality organic and einkorn or gluten-free options.

Why we like it: More protein and fiber than conventional pasta, without sacrificing the taste and texture kids expect from spaghetti night.

Trail Mix

Daily Crunch Snacks sprouts and dehydrates its nuts for a crunchier, easier-to-digest trail mix, paired with dried fruit and no added oils.

Why we like it: A clean, protein-rich snack for the car, the trail, or the lunchbox without the candy-coated fillers found in a lot of conventional trail mixes.

Pretzels

Fit Joy pretzels are grain-free and gluten-free, made from cassava and chickpea flour instead of refined wheat.

Why we like it: Same crunchy, salty satisfaction as a classic pretzel, with a more nutrient-dense base.

Dried Fruit

Solely and Bare Snacks are our go-to dried fruit brands, both keep ingredient lists short, with no added sugar.

Why we like it: A naturally sweet way to expand fruit variety in a shelf-stable, lunchbox-friendly format.

Dried Beans

The Only Bean makes crunchy, dry-roasted edamame snacks packed with complete plant protein and fiber.

Why we like it: A savory, high-protein alternative to chips that also happens to be a great salad topper.

Nut Butters

Artisana Organics, One Trick Pony, and Once Again are our picks for nut and seed butters—all made with minimal, recognizable ingredients and no added oils or sugar.

Why we like it: Real, simple nut butters without the palm oil and added sugar found in a lot of conventional jars.

Dried Seaweed

GimMe Organic seaweed snacks are USDA Certified Organic and made with just a few ingredients.

Why we like it: A crunchy, savory snack that introduces kids to sea vegetables and their naturally occurring iodine and B12.

Fresh Fruit

Nothing beats the real thing. Keep a bowl of seasonal fruit within easy reach—apples, clementines, berries, bananas—for the simplest, most nutrient-dense snack of all.

Veggies & Hummus

We love Little Sesame's grab-and-go hummus packs, organic, freshly spun, and sized just right for little hands. Pair with sliced cucumbers, carrots, or bell peppers for a snack that covers fiber, healthy fat, and plant protein in one go.

Why we like it: A savory, veggie-forward option that balances out all the naturally sweet snacks in the rotation.

Where We Stock Up

Thrive Market is our go-to place to stock up on better-for-you snack brands for our kids, many of the brands above are available there at a discount, delivered right to your door.

The Lanby Take

Snacks don't need to be complicated, but they should be intentional. We recommend aiming for options that include:

• Real, recognizable ingredients
• A balance of macronutrients (fiber, fat, and/or protein)
• Minimal added sugars and artificial additives

When possible, pair packaged snacks with something fresh—like fruit, cheese, or a protein source—to create a more balanced option.

Over time, these small choices add up, helping kids build stable energy, better focus, and a healthier relationship with food.

Follow along on The Lanby blog for more science-backed wellness tips, seasonal recommendations, and practical ways to help you and your family get well, better.