To continue my back-to-school theme from last week, I’m sharing packaged foods that regularly make it into my kids’ lunch boxes. I do make many snacks and sweets from scratch, but not everything—time is limited. Next week is my last week before school starts, so I’ll take two half-days to bake and freeze batches of cookie dough and quick breads. That saved me last year; the frozen cookie dough lasted about three months.
These are the items my students and readers have been asking about most often lately.
Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are one of the few packaged foods I always keep on hand. They’re ideal for school lunches and quick snacks. Our favorites are Lundberg organic lightly salted brown rice cakes. Ingredients are simple—organic brown rice and sea salt—which makes them a far better alternative to chips. My son often brings these to school because they stand up well to toppings like nut butter, hummus, or smashed avocado. You can also break them into pieces to use with dips or as a crunchy substitute for croutons in soup or salad. I usually buy them at Whole Foods or online specialty retailers.
Elemental Superfood Bars
Portable bars are a convenient snack, but ingredients vary widely. Many commercially marketed bars contain processed oils, excess sugars, and protein isolates, so reading labels is essential. While I love homemade granola bars and larabars, it’s handy to have a clean store-bought option for emergencies. Elemental Superfood bars are delicious and made with clean, nutritious ingredients. They’re gluten- and dairy-free and come in flavors like mulberry, cacao & spirulina, and cranberry, almond & lucuma. The brand also makes a crumble—a granola-like topping that works well on oatmeal or smoothie bowls for a healthy breakfast.
Dave’s Killer Bread
Sandwiches remain a school-lunch staple because they’re versatile—nut butters and chia jam, hummus and veggies, poached chicken and avocado, and more. Bread matters: I prefer options high in fiber and protein rather than refined flour, sugar, or processed oils. Dave’s Killer Bread has been a great find for sandwich use. Several varieties (21 Whole Grains, Good Seed, Seeded Honey Wheat, and Powerseed) provide at least 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving, helping kids stay satisfied between meals. Ingredients are organic and clean in those varieties, and the texture is soft enough for sandwiches. It also stays fresher longer than many “healthy” breads that go stale quickly.
Roasted Seaweed Snacks
Sea vegetables don’t always get the same attention as land-grown greens, but they’re nutritious. Seaweed offers protein, minerals, iodine, and compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some types like arame and wakame may not appeal to kids, but roasted nori snacks are usually a hit: crispy, flaky, and salty. They make a fine chip substitute and add nutritional value to a lunch or backpack snack. These snacks come in various seasonings—plain, sesame, and wasabi—so check the flavor when buying.
Mary’s Gone Crackers
Mary’s Gone Crackers are a convenient savory option for lunches or grab-and-go snacks. The brand focuses on organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan crackers made from clean ingredients like organic brown rice, quinoa, flax, and sesame seeds. They’re light, crispy, and tasty—kids often won’t notice they’re healthy. A serving typically provides around 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, making them a substantive side snack. They also work well on a cheese board if you’re serving gluten-free guests.
Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a pantry essential year-round and especially during school. It’s great in oatmeal, smoothies, sandwiches, or spread on rice cakes and celery. Because my kids eat a lot of it, I choose an organic, glass-packed brand to avoid pesticide residues and plastic leaching from fatty foods. Santa Cruz Organic dark-roasted peanut butter fits the bill: it’s 100% roasted organic peanuts with no added oils, sugar, or salt. It’s available creamy or crunchy (and a lighter roast option if you prefer). I often find good prices through online specialty retailers.
For more back-to-school food ideas, explore posts on mastering school lunches, building a better breakfast, and healthy snacks—there are plenty of simple, make-ahead strategies and recipes to streamline mornings and pack balanced meals.