Five Healthy Convenience Store Treats for Your Kids

Many people have traditionally thought of convenience store snacks as sugary, fatty, high in salt, and generally unhealthy. In recent years however, many food companies and convenience store chains have been stocking better, healthier alternatives to junk food.

Today, the convenience store is just as good a place to stock up on healthy snack options as your health food store or specialty grocer. Here are five example of delicious, healthy snacks found on convenience store shelves.

Cookie Recipes For Kids

1) Cereal in a Cup

Cereal isn't just for breakfast time -- it's also a great snack for those times your kids get a hankering for something sweet or crunchy, or both! Just hunt down one of those single-serve cups from the cereal aisle, add some chilled low-fat skim or soy milk, and your kids are good to go for snack just under 200 calories.

2) Single-serve Fruit Portions

Fruit is the perfect snack -- it's full of fiber and vitamins, is extremely portable, and comes in a variety of flavors. Pack your kids a banana, orange slices, or mixed fruit in a cup to provide a boost of healthy nutrients and distract them from fattening snacks chips and cookies.

3) Yoghurt

If your kids are screaming for ice-cream, compromise with them and give them a small cup of yoghurt instead. Get the ones with fruit flavors so that the fruit naturally masks the hint of sourness from the yoghurt. You can also opt ofr Greek yoghurt instead of regular ones, since its consistency is close to soft serve ice cream. You can also use yoghurt as a base for smoothies and milkshakes -- they taste great and are less fattening than whole milk and full- fat ice cream.

4) Trail mix and Mixed Nuts

Snacking is only unhealthy when you overeat, and often this happens because kids (and adults!) are not aware of how much food they put in their mouths. If you can't break out of the habit of having a little too many potato chips just yet, you can at least lower the salt and fat content of your compulsive snacking by replacing them with healthier alternatives. trail mix and mixed nuts provide the same satisfying crunch, but without the unhealthy fats and high sodium content.

5) Organic Juices and Purified Water

Instead of grabbing a soda for the kids, try getting them to drink a bottle of organic, sugar-free fruit juice instead. The high sugar content of soda and artificial juices damage teeth and upset little stomachs, on top of promoting childhood obesity. Better yet, give them a bottle of cold, purified water. Water is not just refreshing, it also cleans out toxins from your body.

The best thing about this list is that all items can be found in your corner convenience store. And if you live in West Virginia, One Stop offers all five and so much more -- just around the corner. With One Stop and this simple list, and you're on your way to a healthier and happier family.

Five Healthy Convenience Store Treats for Your Kids

Can't figure out what to pack in your kids' lunch boxes? Let us help! For better selection, better deals, and better service - better hurry to One Stop!