When you’re a vegan parent, it can be hard to find snacks that both you and your kids will enjoy. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there that are both vegan and kid-friendly—some better than others. Here are some of my favorites:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Vegan snacks for kids can be both delicious and nutritious. |
| – A plant-based diet can offer numerous health benefits for children. |
| – Snack time can be an opportunity to teach your child about the values of cruelty-free and sustainable living. |
| – There is a wide variety of store-bought and homemade vegan snacks that kids will love. |
| – Taking the time to plan and prepare healthy vegan snacks can help ensure that your child’s dietary needs are being met. |
Fruit Roll-Ups
Fruit Roll-Ups are a great vegan snack for kids because they’re made from fruit puree and have no artificial colors or flavors. They’re also a good source of fiber, low in sugar, and full of vitamin C.
Teaching your kids about veganism and animal rights is a crucial step in raising compassionate and empathetic children. Check out our article on 15 simple ways to teach your kids about veganism and animal rights for helpful tips and strategies that you can incorporate into your parenting.
Soda
Soda is bad for your teeth, and it can also cause weight gain. It’s full of sugar, which puts you at risk for diabetes and other health problems. The American Heart Association has even warned that soda may increase your risk of heart attack in some cases!
You might be thinking: “But what about fruit juice?” Fruit juice doesn’t necessarily have the same properties as soda but neither does milk (or whole milk), so why not just drink water? Because fruit juices have more sugar than whole fruits do, they give kids the same negative effects on teeth as soda does and they’re still not really something you’d want to introduce into your child’s diet early on.
Milk is an even worse option because it contains high levels of saturated fat (which can lead to heart disease) plus harmful bacteria like E coli bacteria or salmonella if mishandled by someone else who wasn’t aware how dangerous it was before consuming it themselves later down road later down road again…
| Health Risk | Data |
|---|---|
| Risk for Tooth Decay | One can of soda contains over 10 teaspoons of sugar |
| Weight Gain | Drinking one soda a day can lead to weight gain of 15 pounds or more per year |
| Increased Risk of Diabetes | People who drink one or more sugary drinks per day have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who rarely drink these beverages |
| Increased Risk of Heart Disease | Consuming just one sugary drink a day increases the risk of heart disease by 20% |
Soda is a popular drink that can have negative effects on health. It is high in sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay and obesity. The American Heart Association has warned that drinking soda could also increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Some popular soda brands include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew. To minimize the negative health effects, it’s recommended that people limit their soda consumption and opt for healthier drink options, such as water, herbal tea, or low-sugar fruit juice.
Hot Dogs
Vegan hot dogs are a great source of protein, iron and zinc. Zinc is important for immune system function, hair growth and wound healing. It also helps to maintain your sense of smell and taste, which means it may reduce the symptoms of a cold or sore throat.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that’s found in animal products but not plants—that’s why many vegans need to supplement their diets with B12-rich foods like fortified breakfast cereals or vegan dairy substitutes like soy milk (which contains added B12).
The benefits of raising your kids on a vegan diet are numerous, ranging from improved health to a more sustainable and cruelty-free lifestyle. Take a look at our article on 10 surprising benefits of raising your kids on a vegan diet to learn more about the advantages of a plant-based lifestyle for your family.
Bagel Pizzas
If your kids are anything like mine, they love pizza. They’ll eat it with almost anything—and that includes vegetables! You can make bagel pizzas to take their vegetable intake to the next level, and they’re pretty easy too.
There are no rules when it comes to making a bagel pizza. You can use whatever toppings you like and even experiment by trying different kinds of bagels (plain, whole grain, etc.).
Just remember that some types of bread are less sturdier than others so keep this in mind when choosing which breads will hold up under pressure from your toppings!
Airheads Xtremes Candy
Airheads Xtremes Candy are vegan, meaning that they don’t contain any animal products or by-products.
They’re also a great source of calcium and other nutrients. These chewy candies come in flavors like sour apple and lemon, which means you can offer your kids an alternative to sugary treats on their birthday party table!
The ingredients for these candies are simple: sugar, corn syrup, soybean oil and glucose syrup (a sweetener made from cornstarch).
This makes them safe for all kids to enjoy—including those who have allergies or food sensitivities.
Airheads Xtremes are available in many different flavors; try them out today!
Raising a vegan family can bring many joys and rewards, but it can also come with its own set of unique challenges. If you’re struggling to navigate these challenges, check out our article on how to deal with the challenges of raising a vegan family for helpful advice and tips.
Popcorn
Popcorn is such a popular snack for many reasons. It’s tasty, it’s healthy and it has the potential to be extremely creative. You can flavor popcorn with salt, spices and even butter! Popcorn is a great source of fiber which helps us stay healthy. There are so many ways you can prepare popcorn that your kids will love!
Oatmeal Creme Pies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted (I recommend Earth Balance)
- 1/2 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips or carob chips (you can even leave these out if you want to make it super healthy!)
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a food processor, blend together all ingredients except for the chocolate chips until well combined.
Put mixture into a bowl and stir in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares with a knife or pizza cutter.*You can also use vegan graham crackers instead of whole wheat for your crust!
Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
These granola bars are great for snacking on the go. They’re made with whole grains, so they’re high in fiber and protein. Plus, they contain no artificial flavors or colors—just real chocolate chips! That’s a snack you can feel good about giving your kid any time of day.
Fruit by the Foot and Fruit Gushers
Fruit by the Foot and Fruit Gushers are a good source of vitamin C. They also provide a good amount of Vitamin A, calcium, iron and potassium.
The only downfall is that these snacks contain artificial flavors which may be harmful for your child’s health in the long run.
However if you have an allergy to artificial colorings or flavors I highly recommend these fruit snacks as they will help keep your children from becoming dehydrated during hot summer days when they play outside for hours at a time.
It’s also important to note that these fruit snacks come in many different shapes like diamonds or hearts which makes them more fun than just eating plain old applesauce with no added sugar!
Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your love of travel. In fact, there are many vegan-friendly destinations around the world that offer delicious plant-based snacks and meals for both adults and children. Check out our article on the top vegan-friendly countries to visit to start planning your next family adventure.
Gummy Worms and Swedish Fish
Now that we’ve cleared up the misconception that Swedish Fish and Gummy Worms are not vegan, let’s talk about what they really are.
Gelatin is made from animal bones, ligaments, tendons and/or skin (that’s why if you’re a vegetarian but not vegan you can eat both these treats).
They’re also full of refined sugar, which has been shown to cause dental cavities in children.
If your kids want something sweet to snack on while watching their favorite TV show or playing video games after school then give them some fruit instead!
Strawberries make great finger food for little hands and apples are easy to bite into and hold while walking around the house.
Be sure to cut up both fruits so they don’t choke on seeds or large chunks (especially with young toddlers who haven’t developed good chewing skills yet).
| Candy Name | Non-Vegan Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Swedish Fish | Gelatin |
| Gummy Worms | Gelatin |
The two most popular non-vegan gummy candy brands are Swedish Fish and Gummy Worms. Both of them contain gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen and makes them unsuitable for a vegan diet. Other non-vegan gummy candy brands may also contain gelatin, so it’s essential to read the ingredient labels carefully before purchasing.
For those wanting to try vegan-friendly alternatives, many plant-based gummy candy options can be found in health food stores and online retailers, such as Surf Sweets, Wholesome, and YumEarth.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding snacks for your kids, there are many options to choose from. So, if you’re looking for something that will please even the pickiest eaters, we hope our list of delicious vegan-friendly snacks has helped you out!
Further reading
Here are some additional resources to help you find more delicious and nutritious vegan snacks for your kids:
10 Vegan Snacks Ideas for Kids by a Nutritionist and Mother: This blog post offers ten simple and healthy vegan snack ideas that are perfect for kids, backed by the expertise of a nutritionist and mother.
Vegan Snacks for Kids: This guide from Nutriciously provides an extensive list of healthy and tasty vegan snack options for children, along with tips for packing school snacks and ideas for fun snack activities.
Store-Bought Vegan Snacks for Kids: For busy parents, sometimes store-bought snacks can be a great option. VegOut Mag compiled a list of their favorite vegan snacks that are perfect for on-the-go and for throwing into your child’s lunchbox.
FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about vegan snacks for kids:
What are some easy vegan snacks for kids?
Some easy vegan snacks for kids include fresh fruit, vegetables with hummus or nut butter, popcorn, trail mix, whole-grain crackers, and vegan energy balls or bars.
How can I make sure my child is getting enough nutrition with vegan snacks?
Make sure to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein sources in your child’s snacks. Nut butters, seeds, nuts, and legumes are all great sources of protein for vegan diets.
Are there any store-bought vegan snacks that are healthy for kids?
Yes, there are many store-bought vegan snacks that are both healthy and delicious. Look for snacks that are minimally processed, made from whole-food ingredients, and free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
What are the benefits of vegan snacks for kids?
Feeding your child a vegan diet that is high in whole foods can offer numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting a healthy weight. Additionally, teaching your child the values of plant-based eating supports the ethical treatment of animals and fosters environmental stewardship.
How can I get my child to try new vegan snacks?
Incorporating your child into the snack selection and preparation process can make them more likely to try and enjoy new vegan snacks! You can also experiment with different shapes, colors, and fun packaging to entice them to try something new.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
