Sugar-Free Snacks for Kids That They'll Love

While kids love sugar, we all have been around a kid who has had a little too much. Kids are naturally full of energy, but too much of the sweet stuff seems to ramp that energy up 1000%. 

Instead, they need healthy, delicious snacks to help them keep going through the day. There are plenty of sugary options available, many with hidden sugars, and parents are often scrambling for healthy solutions for what to feed their kids. 

We rounded up our favorite sugar free snacks for kids that are both nutritious and tasty. So when you are looking for a sugar free snack to feed your kid, you can refer to this list to feel confident you are making the best choice.

Benefits of Sugar-Free Snacks for Kids

While kids do have higher carbohydrate needs than adults, eating too much processed sugar can have negative health effects on their health. Some of the impacts of sugar include: 

• Dental problems: Too much sugar can contribute to tooth decay and cavities.

• Increased risk of obesity: Too much sugar adds extra calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. 

• Energy and mood fluctuations: Eating too much sugar can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, leading to quick bursts of energy followed by crashes. This can impact a child’s mood and activity levels.

• Poor nutrition: Sugary snacks often have few vitamins and minerals and may also contain food dyes. 

• Long-term health risks: Eating high sugar foods regularly is linked to an increased risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers later in life.

Instead, if your kids are looking for an afterschool snack to munch on or pack in their lunch bag, there are plenty of no sugar snacks for kids that they might enjoy. Here are a few of our suggestions to help you get started with preparing low sugar kids snacks.

Fresh and Fruity Snacks

While fruit technically has sugar, it is paired with lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Naturally occurring sugar does not have the same negative impact on health as processed sugar. Luckily, kids love fruit!

Berry Blasts

A berry blast is a mix of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) topped with sugar-free whipped cream. These can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for a cool and refreshing snack during the hot summer months. 

Apple Smiles

A sliced apple when turned to the side looks like a smile. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and natural nut butter (check for added sugar) for dipping. This provides a nice mix of fiber and healthy fats, satisfying hunger without any sugars.

Fruity Kabobs

Kabobs that are made with fruit and a fun and colorful low sugar snack for kids. Thread colorful fruits (grapes, melons, pineapples, and other fruits) onto skewers for a fun interactive snack. 

Frozen Yogurt Parfaits

Yogurt parfaits are a fun, sugar-free snack for kids that they can make themselves. Layer plain Greek yogurt with chopped fruit and a sprinkle of granola and freeze for a healthy treat. The yogurt provides protein and probiotics, with natural sweetness from berries

Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Chunks

Enjoy the creamy texture of cottage cheese combined with the natural sweetness of pineapple. Use fresh pineapple or if you choose canned, be sure it is canned in its own juice which will lower the sugar content. 

Veggies with a Crunch

It is always a challenge to get kids to eat their veggies because kids' taste buds are more sensitive to bitter flavors than adults. But veggies are a great no sugar nutritious snack. So we gathered some ideas to make them more fun and maybe cover up the bitter taste a bit.

Carrot Sticks and Hummus

All kids love to dip and hummus is a great dip option that is mild in flavor and provides a bit of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Add a side of carrots or celery for a healthy snack.

Cucumber Slices with Greek Yogurt

Cucumbers are a low-calorie sugar-free option but can be a little bland on their own. But when combined with a protein-packed Greek yogurt dip, they make a great neutral base for a tasty snack.

Ants on a Log

This classic snack is a kid’s favorite for a reason. Celery sticks are filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins to look like ants walking across a log. Be sure to choose a natural peanut butter that does not have added sugar. 

Seaweed Snacks

Seaweed may not be the first vegetable you think of, but technically it is a vegetable of the sea.  If you’re a fan of sushi, you’ll probably enjoy seaweed snacks. Seaweed snacks are paper-thin sheets of roasted and salted seaweed which are a great, no sugar alternative to chips.

Mini Bell Peppers with Cream Cheese

Halve mini bell peppers and fill with a plain or flavored cream cheese blend. This is a colorful, sugar free, and crunchy snack high in vitamin C and healthy fats.

Good Source of Protein

Kids need protein to support healthy growth, but sometimes it can be a challenge to get them to eat meat. So why not provide a high protein snack that is also low in sugar?

Chomps Grass-fed Beef Sticks

Our Chomps meat sticks and Chomplings are a perfect high protein snack with up to 12 grams of protein per stick. They also have no sugar. Toss your kid’s favorite Chomps flavors in their lunchbox for a delicious, convenient, on-the-go snack. 

Hard Boiled Egg

Hard-boiled eggs are a classic high protein snack that are easy to prepare ahead of time. A large egg has around 7 grams of protein and is a source of essential nutrients like choline and vitamin D.

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Add a bit of mayo or flavored cream cheese to a whole wheat tortilla, fill with sliced turkey and cheese, and roll it up for a satisfying and portable snack or lunchbox filler.

Trail Mix with Nuts and Seeds

Making your own trail mix ensures that it stays sugar-free. Mix together almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and unsweetened coconut flakes. Trail mix is a filling snack that provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Roasted Chickpeas

For a crunchy, protein-packed snack that’s also rich in fiber, roasted chickpeas are a good option. They can be purchased pre-made or you can make them on your own at home. To make your own, dry canned chickpeas well, spread out on a baking sheet, season as desired, and bake at 425 until crispy.

Choosing the Best Low Sugar Snacks for Kids

If you need more ideas for sugar free kids snacks, we created this roundup of 17 other snack ideas and 21 more healthy snacks. Can you tell we love snacking here at Chomps?

Our Chomps meat sticks are a great low sugar snack for kids that is a good source of protein. We also offer kid-size Chomplings, a great addition to your kid's lunch box or after-school snack. Grab your favorite flavors today!