Back to school is a busy time for kids and their parents. Aside from early morning preparations, kids face daily commute and a flurry of physical and mental activities at school. Parents, on the other hand, not only have to get their kids ready every day but also carefully plan what to put in their lunchboxes.
For growing kids, healthy sources of energy are important. Snack time at school is a chance for them to pause and refuel their bodies while enjoying something fun and tasty. Fresh or dried fruit slices make the perfect mid-morning and after-school snacks, as they contain the right amounts of natural sugars and essential nutrients to keep kids healthy, satisfied, and energized.
Nutrient-dense Snack Foods to stock up on
With a little creativity and the right mix of ready-to-pack, naturally flavorful, and nutritious snacks, parents can keep things simple while ensuring their kids are eating healthy and getting exactly what their bodies need. For discerning parents, here are some foods worth keeping in the pantry for easy but healthy snack prep:*
Organic Dried Apple slices
These tender apple pieces have a mellow, orchard-fresh flavor kids are sure to love. They pair beautifully with cheeses, spreads, and crunchy crackers and are easy for little hands to enjoy. Apples are also a good source of fiber, iron and vitamin C and contain a wealth of phytonutrients known to support optimal health. According to studies, eating an apple a day can help prevent micronutrient deficiencies [1].
Nutritious and delicious, apples are seasonal fruits, with their peak season in autumn [2]. If you wish to enjoy the full nutritional benefits of organic apples all year round, you can stock up on long-term storable dried organic apples. Health Ranger Select Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices are a highly versatile superfood that has been carefully dried to retain maximum nutrition. They can be eaten directly or added to various recipes – the perfect healthy snack for kids.
Health Ranger Select Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices are non-GMO, non-China, and certified Kosher and organic. They are also lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and microbiology. For your convenience, we also offer Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices in storable #10 cans.
Organic Dried Mango slices
These bright golden slices boast a naturally sweet, tropical taste. They are chewy, satisfying, and perfect for packing into lunchboxes or mixing into homemade trail mixes. Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins C and E – two powerful antioxidant vitamins that can protect healthy cells from oxidative damage. Mangoes also provide magnesium, an important mineral for the body’s natural production of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. [3][4]
Low in saturated fat and sodium and high in fiber and essential nutrients, mangoes are a great food for supporting overall health and well-being. Enjoy some of the most delicious mangoes on the planet all year round with Health Ranger Select Organic Dried Mango. Available in handy 1 oz. pouches for easy storage, our premium organic dried mangoes contain no preservatives, GMOs, or added sugars and are certified Kosher and organic. They are also non-China and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Snack on Health Ranger Select Organic Dried Mango directly or incorporate them into healthy baked goods and other recipes. We also offer Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices 0.7 oz (20 g) + Organic Dried Mango 1 oz (28 g) combo pouches.
Freeze-dried Organic Tropical Fruit purees
Tropical fruits are nutritional powerhouses and contain a wide variety of beneficial phytonutrients. According to a study published in the journal Foods, tropical fruits are some of the richest sources of flavonoids and phenolic acids – bioactive plant compounds known for their potent antioxidant and health-supporting properties [5]. With their juicy flesh, rich sweetness, and often tangy, exotic flavors, tropical fruits also make some of the best hydrating snacks and beverages.
Tropical fruits like banana, mango, and passion fruit are a rich source of potassium, B vitamins, and beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) [6][7]. Aside from being nutritious, these fruits are also a great source of fuel for the body. You and your kids can enjoy the wholesome flavor and complete nutritional goodness of bananas, mangoes, and passion fruit with Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Mango Passion Fruit from the Health Ranger Store.
Our premium tropical fruit blend offers the combined nutritional benefits and sunny flavors of freeze-dried organic banana, mango, and passion fruit purees in a convenient crunchy cube. Their light crunch makes them ideal for sprinkling over yogurt or enjoying straight from the bag. Available in handy 2 oz. pouches and long-term storable #10 cans, our delectable Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Mango Passion Fruit is non-GMO, certified Kosher and organic, and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and microbiology.
We also offer Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Apple Cinnamon, which features warm, cozy flavors in a crisp bite. Complemented with the spicy notes of cinnamon, this deliciously sweet combination of freeze-dried organic banana and apple purees is especially nice to have on cooler mornings and is perfect as a crunchy topper for a lunchbox treat. This product conveniently comes in sturdy #10 cans for long-term storage.
Freeze-dried Organic Berries
Organic berries are packed with color, flavor, and nutrition – the perfect standalone snacks and versatile additions to boost your recipes. Whether you’re planning to make post-workout shakes or smoothies or healthy treats for your kids, organic berries are a splendid, health-conscious choice. Bursting with essential vitamins and minerals, organic berries also contain high concentrations of powerful antioxidants that can support optimal health and wellness. [8]
To let you experience the wonderful flavors and health benefits of organic berries, the Health Ranger Store offers Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Apple Blackcurrant and Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana and Strawberry, two delectable snacks that combine the nutritional goodness of organic blackcurrant and strawberry purees with the wholesome goodness of organic banana puree.
Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Apple Blackcurrant is a tangy-sweet blend with a lively flavor twist – great for mixing into snack cups with cereal or nuts for a colorful, tasty mix kids will surely never tire of! Available in long-term storable #10 cans, this convenient snack is non-GMO, certified Kosher and organic, and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana and Strawberry is a classic pairing turned into an airy, portable snack. It is perfect for after-school snacking or paired with a handful of seeds or pretzels. Available in handy 2 oz. pouches and long-term storable #10 cans, this incredibly nutritious snack is non-GMO, China-free, and certified Kosher and organic. It is also meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals, and microbiology.
The 5-Day Back-to-School Snack Menu
While the snacks above can be consumed on their own, they shine when combined in creative ways. To make snack planning easier, here’s a 5-day back-to-school snack menu that works for both mid-morning and after-school breaks.
Day 1 – Tropical Kickstart
- Morning Snack: Organic dried mango + mini whole-grain crackers.
- After-School Bite: Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Mango Passion Fruit sprinkled over yogurt.
Day 2 – Orchard and Berry Mix
- Morning Snack: Organic soft dried apple slices + cubes of cheddar or a plant-based cheese alternative.
- After-School Bite: Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Apple Blackcurrant mixed with puffed cereal for a fun, crunchy blend.
Day 3 – Classic Comfort Crunch
- Morning Snack: Organic dried mango slices + pretzel twists for a sweet-and-salty contrast.
- After-School Bite: Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana and Strawberry paired with a handful of roasted seeds.
Day 4 – Warm and Cozy Flavors
- Morning Snack: Organic soft dried apple slices wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla with cream cheese and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- After-School Bite: Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies Banana Apple Cinnamon served alongside a small container of organic popcorn.
Day 5 – Mix and Match Friday
- Morning Snack: DIY snack cup with bits of Organic dried mango, Organic soft dried apple slices, and pretzel sticks.
- After-School Bite: Create a “Crunch Sampler” with small portions of all four Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies flavors — Banana Mango Passion Fruit, Banana Apple Blackcurrant, Banana and Strawberry, and Banana Apple Cinnamon.
These snacks aren’t just for the classroom – they’re equally handy for weekend outings, road trips, sports practice, or as a light snack before bedtime. The combination of dried fruits and freeze-dried blends means you can keep things fresh and varied without daily prep work.
By planning a week’s worth of snacks in advance and stocking up on flavorful, easy-to-pack favorites like Organic Dried Mango, Organic Soft Dried Apple Slices, and the variety of Organic Freeze-Dried Crunchy Munchies flavors available at the Health Ranger Store, you can make snack time one less thing to think about — and one more thing to enjoy.
Tips for smooth snack preparation
- Portion ahead of time: Use small reusable containers or snack-size pouches at the start of the week.
- Pair chewy and crunchy: Mix textures to keep snacks interesting.
- Let kids choose: Give them two options for each snack time — it makes them more excited to eat what’s packed.
- Rotate flavors: With multiple Crunchy Munchies varieties, you can switch things up without extra effort.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[2] https://www.foodnetwork.com
