Kid-Friendly Junk Food Alternatives

Whether it’s a quick breakfast, a midday pick-me-up, or an after dinner treat, unhealthy foods always seem to creep into kids’ diets. With a little planning in advance, you can satisfy your kids’ cravings without loading them up on sugar, salt, and fat. And remember, you don’t have to sacrifice nutrition for convenience—there are plenty of quick, on-the-go bites that can be perfect junk food alternatives and provide a variety of nutritious and delicious flavors.

We’ve put together our favorite kid-friendly, healthy junk food alternatives to help you decide which options are best for you and your family.

Junk Food Alternatives at Breakfast

For some kids, the first meal of the day is the one they want super-charged with sugar. To fuel them up for the hours ahead, try these healthy junk food alternatives, accompanied by their favorite fruit for a naturally sweet kick.

Craving: Artificially Flavored Yogurt. Swap: Whole-Milk Kefir.

Many “yogurt on-the-go” brands are high in refined sugar and artificial dyes. Stick with creamy kefir made with whole milk, organic ingredients and no added sugar.

Craving: Classic Waffles. Swap: A Whole Grain Version.

Conventional pancakes and waffles—made with refined sugar, white flour and artificial ingredients—won’t sustain kids through the morning. Opt for a pre-made whole grain version instead, and look for fun variations to keep their taste buds interested.

Craving: Juice. Swap: Flavored Water.

Breakfast is commonly accompanied by juice, which is often high in sugar. Try flavored water instead—there’s even a kind that’s just for kids.

Craving: Sugary Cereal. Swap: Healthy Cereal.

Steer clear of conventional cereals high in sugar and artificial flavorings and dyes. Opt for healthier versions that are lightly sweetened and made with whole grains.

Alternatives for Junk Food Snacks

Snacking between meals isn’t a bad thing—it helps kids maintain energy and focus throughout their busy, active day. The pitfall is when convenience takes precedence over nutrition. Stock your shelves with these healthy junk food alternatives to solve between-meal hunger without compromising on nutrition.

Craving: Cheese-Flavored Snacks. Swap: White Cheddar Popcorn.

Instead of snacks that are dyed orange and artificially flavored to taste like cheese, try white cheddar popcorn that has a hint of flavor from real cheddar, plus a satisfying crunch. If your kids have allergies, try a version that’s gluten and dairy free.

Craving: Granola Bars. Swap: Grain Bars.

With flavors like chocolate chip and s’mores, many brands of conventional granola bars are loaded with sugar. Try granola bars made with whole grains, or make your own with an easy, no-bake recipe that’s high in protein and fiber.

Craving: Potato or Tortilla Chips. Swap: Lentil, Black Bean or Homemade Chips.

It’s time to leave the potato and tortilla chips at the grocery store. Give kids the crunch they want but with healthier junk food alternatives, like chips made with lentils or black beans. You can even make your own tortilla chips in a snap. Spray 100% whole corn tortillas with cooking spray, bake until crispy and enjoy!

Craving: Pretzels. Swap: A Healthier Version.

Most brands of pretzels don’t offer much in the way of nutrition. A healthier spin on this classic snack contains organic spelt flour and significantly less sodium than many leading pretzel brands.

The Tough One: Junk Food Alternatives for Desserts and Sweets

When the desire for something sweet kicks in, don’t give in to foods laden with sugar and artificial sweeteners. Instead, look for naturally sweet treats that zap the sweet tooth without going overboard.

Craving: Gummy Fruit Snacks. Swap: Preservative-Free Fruit Bites.

The sweetness and chewy consistency of fruit snacks are a draw for many kids, but the stick-to-their-teeth sugar factor isn’t ideal. Instead of overly processed gummies, try Nurture Life’s perfectlyfree Fruit Bites—100% plant-based snacks with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Because they’re free from the Big 8 allergens, they’re also allergy-friendly and school-safe!

Craving: Applesauce. Swap: Squeezable Pouches.

Applesauce sold in traditional plastic cups is often high in sugar and sometimes artificial flavors and colors. Try a squeezable version made with 100% fruits and vegetables in a variety of combinations.

Craving: Ice Cream or Popsicles. Swap: Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars.

Frozen Greek yogurt bars satisfy the hankering for a sweet, cold treat—but without the excess sugar of ice cream and popsicles.

All it takes is a few easy modifications to traditional breakfasts, snacks and sweets to make a huge difference in nutritional value. Load up on a couple of these healthy junk food alternatives for your kids, and you’ll be more than prepared the next time they ask for a quick bite!

If you have any snack or nutrition-related questions, we want to hear them! Reach out to our childhood nutrition experts at support@nurturelife.com.