This post was created in partnership with Beech-Nut® Naturals. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With two boys ages three and under, it’s pretty important to be stocked up on snacks in our house. We use a Montessori-inspired snack basket that is out at all times and stored on a shelf that the boys can reach. At 18 months, Aiden has recently become more and more interested in picking out his own snacks from the basket. Because these snacks sit out where the boys can access them, I am often searching for new pre-packaged, shelf snacks that I can throw in their basket.
To be honest, I’ve found it a little challenging to find healthy packaged snacks that meet my criteria. I always look for snacks that are: made with real fruits and veggies, have a small ingredient list, are free of major allergens, and don’t have added sugar. I recently discovered a new brand that meets all of these standards AND my boys love them: Beech-Nut® Naturals!
Beech-Nut® Naturals: Real Fruits & Veggies
Beech-Nut® Naturals Snack Bars are definitely the new favorite snack in their snack basket. They offer a variety of bars- banana, strawberry, banana and pumpkin, and apple and spinach. So far we have tried the banana and strawberry bars, both of which Aiden loved! Beech-Nut® Naturals also makes baby food that is made from real ingredients and gently cooked over indirect heat to preserve color, flavor, and nutrients. I’ll definitely be trying those out if we add to our family in the future!
I was so glad to see that these snack bars were made from real ingredients- natural fruits and veggies. I try to eat mostly natural foods and ingredients myself for health reasons, and I also try to do the same for the boys whenever possible. The banana flavor that we tried first is made from just five ingredients- whole grain oats, raisins, dried banana, sunflower oil, and dates. This amazed me! As a mom of two littles with food allergies, I have read the ingredient lists for countless snack bars. I have never seen a toddler snack bar ingredient list that was so clean!
Since our snack basket gives both Asher and Aiden access to the same snacks, I have to be sure that all of the snacks in there are safe for both of them. I often have had a difficult time finding snacks that are free from the boys’ allergens (tree nuts and corn). So, I truly appreciated that the Beech-Nut® Naturals Snack Bars are free from any major allergens. The snack bars and all of Beech-Nut® Naturals and Organics products are Non-GMO Project Verified which just gave me even more peace of mind about my boys eating them regularly.
Toddler-Approved
The Beech-Nut® Naturals snack bars were an instant hit with Aiden. At 18 months, he likes to be as included in practical life tasks as possible. He helped to “buy” the snack bars at the store by taking the boxes off of the shelf, putting them into our basket, and carrying the grocery bag out to the car. As always, he loved being included in the practical life elements of this and I think this process gives him some ownership and adds to his interest in trying new foods.
Aiden couldn’t wait to get the box open! Then, in true toddler fashion, he dumped them into the snack basket and grabbed one out to eat. As he took his first few bites, he was all smiles. He proudly held up the banana snack bar between bites and said, “snack bar!” Just seeing his joy and knowing that the bars are made from real ingredients already made this a major snack success in my book. Asher instantly approved of them too!
Perfect for Growing Independence
Although he is able to wipe and wash his own hands, Aiden is in a stage of becoming frustrated with sticky foods on his hands. We were both glad that the Beech-Nut® Naturals Snack Bars were not sticky like many other kids’ snack bars. No need for clean-up! We spend a good amount of time in the car driving to visit family and going to appointments and activities. So, having snacks that can easily go on the road is also important to me. I loved that these snack bars aren’t sticky because they will be the perfect addition to our car snacks stash!
I am so glad to have found a nutritious, packaged snack for the boys that is made from real fruits and veggies. The Beech-Nut® Naturals snack bars are perfect for their Montessori-inspired snack basket because they can easily access them on their own and they are healthy. I always know when Aiden is ready for a snack right now because he comes running to me with a smile and one of the Beech-Nut® Naturals snack bars in his hand!
Beech-Nut® would love to hear about what your baby loves! You can sign up to the Beech-Nut® Family to be in the running to win prizes when you share your #Infantfluencers story.
Mary Rohrer says
Thanks for the post!! I’m gonna try these with my boys. They love bars but a lot of them have too much garbage in them. Thanks again!
KMenko says
Yes, agreed! I was so glad to find something simple and clean.
Jessica says
These ideas are great! I have a one year old who eats everything right now! Will have to try some 🙂
KMenko says
My one year old is the same! Going through all of the snacks. These were great!
Melissa says
This is a great line up of snacks!
KMenko says
They were awesome and he really enjoyed them!
Lorena | www.lorenaylennox.com says
He is the cutest little thing! We haven’t tried these snacks, but i’m sure my toddler will love them! Thanks for the idea!
KMenko says
Aw, thanks! He was so cute as he got excited about a new snack. 🙂
Aliya says
This sounds like a great snack. I’ll definitely look into this for my daughter. Thanks, for sharing.
KMenko says
Oh good, I’m glad! My son really enjoyed them.