Quick and Easy On-the-Go Snacks for Busy Families

With all three kids in school full time right now, I had visions that I would finally be getting my to do list done and that our days would fall into a rhythm.  I can now only laugh at the first part of that statement, and then recognize that our current rhythm would sound like the wild pulsing beat of a rave.

Our schedule is packed, but we haven’t given up on sitting down together for dinner almost every night.  What this means, however, is that dinner falls at a time when we can all be together, so snacks for all of those on-the-go times have become especially important.

The best on-the-go snacks combine some nutritional value with portability.  My van may have hoodies shoved in corners, gloves under seats, and emergency homework pencils stuck in compartments, but one thing we try to avoid is food crumbs and spills.

Here are some ideas for quick, on-the-go snacks that offer some nutritional value while also being portable:

Our Most Frequent On-the-Go Snacks

Granola / Snack Bars

My kids love “bars” (that’s just what we call them) as an on-the-go snack.  They’re so easy to throw in a bag and keep for later.  When my boys took gym class over the summer, they always went stocked with a large water bottle and some bars throw in their bags.  Not only did that help them, but there were at least a few times when they were able to give one to particularly hungry friends.

I often look for bars that have a higher protein content, like the new Jif Peanut Butter Granola Bars, which have between 7 – 8 grams of protein per bar.  They’re tasty and have the Jif Peanut Butter taste we already love.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Okay, I’ll admit it: fresh fruit is just easier to take along, even if fresh vegetables would be a better option between the two.  I think it’s funny when we’re all crunching down on apples as we’re driving down the road.  I also find it hilarious to mortify my 16 year old by using a banana like a phone as we drive.  Plus – it’s packed with potassium when I finally stop taking important calls.  Bonus!

As long as you cut up vegetables, many can be thrown into a baggie and make a great on-the-go snack.  We love to put Jif Peanut Butter or Jif Almond Butter on celery sticks and put them in a small reusable container.

Yeah, we like peanut butter.  It makes us Peanut Butter Happy!

Other Great On-the-Go Options We Love

• High fiber/low sugar dry cereal
• Whole wheat wraps or small sandwiches – usually with some kind of protein packed filling, such as peanut butter or meat
• Nuts and seeds – such as almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds
• String cheese or cubed cheese
• Smoothies
• Energy bites – super easy and packed with protein (here’s a slightly different version that Molly made, which also includes chia seeds)
• Popcorn – we use our air popper for this
• Trail mix – especially great homemade, since you can add in the ratios that you want
• Applesauce (not an “in the car” food, but still good for when we get to our destination)
• Yogurt (ditto to the above)

I’m really excited because I get to share one of the things that makes us Peanut Butter Happy from the list, and in conjunction with Clever Girls and Jif, one lucky reader will get to try the new Jif Peanut Butter Granola Bars!

That lucky reader will win a prize pack with one box of each of the new Jif Peanut Butter Granola Bar flavors.  The three varieties are:

• Jif Bars Creamy Peanut Butter (that’s our favorite!)
• Jif Bars Crunchy Peanut Butter
• Jif Bars Peanut Butter Chocolate

Entering for a chance to win is easy.  As long as you’re 18 or over and reside in the United States, you can just leave a comment on this post about either:

• which variety of the new Jif Peanut Butter Granola Bars sounds best to you
• your favorite recipe or dish with peanut butter in it (even if it’s just the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich)

Comments will be open until October 9, 2015 at 11:59 pm EST.

If you don’t win, however, you can still pick these up on your next trip to the store, since Jif Bars are available in grocery stores nationwide.  Go get Peanut Butter Happy!

(Terms and Conditions for Sweepstakes / Giveaways on Real Life at Home.)

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.