Busy Moms Need Snack Time, Too

This post has been sponsored by Kraft Heinz. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Snack time for busy moms . . . 

It’s not often that I get an afternoon breather. Mary Jane is constantly on the go, and I feel like we’re always out and about. Rather than grit my teeth + power through the inevitable 3pm slump, I’m making it a habit to pack an extra snack just for me. It’s the best way to keep those pregnant-mama, hangry feelings at bay.

Now that I’m well into my third trimester, our afternoon snack seems more important than ever. All the running, playing and toddler chasing has helped to keep my metabolism high so I’m constantly on the hunt for energizing and easy options that keep me satisfied until dinner. Here are a few of my favorite combinations–they’re simple to prep and even easier to eat, especially while wrangling a little one.

Raw Fruit or Veggies

This seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve definitely been guilty of passing them up for less healthy options. (Face palm.) When I’m short on time, I simply pack a whole banana or apple for our day out. I can pretty much eat these one handed, and the vitamins + fiber keep me feeling great. A few of my other on-the-go favorites are strawberries (washed + tops removed), carrot, celery and peppers cut into sticks and peeled oranges. I like to prep these during nap time and store them in a reusable container to keep the fruit and veggies from getting crushed at the bottom of the diaper bag.

Pre-made Snack Packs

It’s no secret that convenience is often key. When we’re in a crunch, I like to grab a Kraft Trios SnackFuns for Mary Jane and a Cracker Barrel Snacking Cheese Dip for me. They’re NEW, ready-made packs that come with fun food combinations and are simple to eat. Mary Jane loves the dried strawberries and colby cheese in the strawberry waffle flavored SnackFun. Psst! The Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese dip is my very favorite. Who am I kidding . . . we really like all the flavors. You definitely should try them all.

You can find these Kraft snacks at your local Kroger or banner store. For all my Utah friends, head to the refrigerated cheese section at Smith’s. Keep your eyes peeled: they often keep these packs in the middle of the shelving display. You can find a coupon to try these snack packs via ClickList here!

Homemade Trail Mix

Don’t go thinking my homemade trail mix is anything fancy. As long as you have the ingredients on hand, it just takes a couple of minutes to make. In a large glass canister (with a lid), I add 1/2 c. of the following: dried cranberries, golden raisins, banana chips and unsweetened coconut flakes. Next, I add 1/4 c. of raw almonds, cashews and walnuts. Sprinkle in 2 tsp. of ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt, and give the mix a good toss. Once all the pieces are combined, I put the trail mix into zip top bags as needed to easily grab-and-go. See an ingredient you don’t like? No sweat. Switch things out and play up your preferences. Luckily, no combination is a wrong combination.

What’s the verdict? Have you tried Kraft’s new SnackFuns and Cracker Barrel Dips?

mom + me photos by Ashlee Brooke