Healthy Toddler Snacks On the Go

I try to feed my son healthy, well balanced meals whenever we're at home.  If I find myself out with nothing on hand though, it's hard to ignore the convenience of fast food and/or junk food. Here are a few of my favorite healthy, portable snacks that are easy to grab when rushing out the door.

Sweet Potato - This is one of my son's favorites. After I wash it, I simply poke some holes in it with a fork and stick it in the microwave for 7 minutes. Some microwaves even have a Potato button, how easy is that? I let it cook while I run around making sure I have the diaper bag, my keys, a sippy cup, and any other essential items I need. If I have time, I'll cut it into chunks and pop it into a tupperware container but in a real time crunch, I just toss it in a ziplock bag with a plastic knife and know I can cut it later, when it's time to eat.

Anything inside a Munchkin Snack Catcher. Whoever invented this cup is a genius! Toddlers are all about being independent and doing things on their own and this cup allows them to carry a snack around without making a mess. I use this cup for all sorts of snacks - grapes, blueberries, whole grain crackers, you name it. As long as he can carry the cup around by himself, Nathan seems to love anything I put inside!

Yogurt Melts - My son isn't a huge milk drinker so I like to offer him these to make sure he gets enough dairy. There are various different types, many of them are organic and some that even include pureed veggies mixed in - bonus! The best part is the melts are dry and can be eaten on the go without making a mess, which is not the case when my son tries to spoon feed himself an actual container of yogurt.

Raisins - Although a bit sticky, these are another relatively non-messy snack and my son loves the individual sized boxes.

Hidden veggies - Finally, though I don't like to admit it, sometimes I sink as low as manipulating my child into eating healthy. He loves carbs (definitely a trait passed on from me) so I've been known to whip up a batch of brocolli cheese "muffins" and he gobbles them down without even knowing he's eating vegetables. I make them bite-size and toss a ziplock bag full of them inside the diaper bag so I can easily grab one and hand to him no matter where we are. Healthy? Check. Non-messy? Check.

Fruit - No matter how hard I try to plan, sometimes I end up with a hungry child and nothing to offer him. I find the easiest thing is to head into a local grocery store, or even better a Farmer's Market. I look for a fruit that I don't have to worry about washing, basically anything that can be peeled. Bananas and clementines are a huge hit in our house.

I'm always looking for new ideas so would love to hear what healthy snacks other moms take on the go!