Are you looking for the best packaged snacks for your ADHD kiddo?
As a mom to two very hungry boys with ADHD, my requirements for snacks are quite stringent. I know that what goes in to my boys’ bodies significantly affects their ADHD symptoms and general well being. I want snacks that will tilt the odds in their favor and give them a leg up on their day.
What are the best snacks for ADHD kids?
Obviously the best snacks are whole foods, like fruits and veggies, hummus and nut butters. But for this post I am sticking with things that are packaged for the ultimate ease.
My kids love one packaged snack in their lunch, so it looks at least a smidge like the Standard American Lunch.
Nutrition-wise, these snacks that are high in protein, low in sugar and gluten free, corn free, soy free, and dairy free. These snacks are perfect for those who follow an ADHD Diet and for those who are just trying to get some good nutrition into their kiddos.
Related: This snack also doubles as a protein packed on the go breakfast!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Packaged Snacks for ADHD
RX Bars
I love that these are so simple and packed with protein(12 grams!). The ingredients are listed right on the front of each RX Bar. The bars are chewy and no super sweet. Our fave is Chocolate Sea Salt, but there are 9 super flavors.This is a local company for us, so I love to support them.
Munk Pack Keto Granola Bars
These are a new favorite by an old favorite company (See MunkPack Protein Cookies below). These have 1 gram of sugar and 5 grams of protein and are eaten by every single person in my house!
These Keto Granola Bars come in many yummy flavors, like Almond Butter Cocoa Chip and Dark Chocolate Cocoa. They are a great snack and super addition to any lunch box. I keep some in my car to stave off the hangries.
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Aloha Organic Protein Bars
These are a new favorite of my two boys – they “taste like cookie dough, Mom!”. With 14 grams of protein per bar, they make a good snack/quick meal for my growing boys.
My favorite is the Lemon Cashew, while my boys, naturally, love the Cookie Dough. My teenage son says the Mint Flavor tastes just like a Thin MInt Girl Scout Cookie!
Clif Kid Protein ZBars
Clif Kid Bars are a great place to start if your kids are used to super sweet snacks. They do have more ingredients than the other snacks, including some processed sweeteners.
But they also have 5 grams of protein and my kids LOVE these, especially the chocolate mint flavor. Clif Kid Protein Zbars are the cheapest on this list. They make a great snack when you are transitioning to a healthier lifestyle.
Hippeas
We LOVE these!! The 4 grams of protein per serving is a great bonus, too, as crunchy, salty snacks usually do not have any protein.
I usually find them at CostCo, but Hippeas can be purchased online and in grocery stores in individual bags that are great for easy packing.
Bonus for sensory seekers: Hippeas are very crunchy and provide some great sensory input, to make kids more alert, as well. Great for nut free schools!
Budget Tip: We are on a tight food budget and these can be expensive. And my teenagers can easy put away an entire bag in one sitting. So, I portion them right away in baggies, so they are easy to grab for lunches.
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GoMacro Bars
These protein bars have been a staple in our house for years – and probably just about the healthiest. GoMacro’s are higher in calories and with 11 grams of protein can be a bit more of a meal replacement, if necessary.
My kids did not love these at first, but now that we are very low sugar, these are yummy for them! Their favorite is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
Update for 2023: My picky teenager, who eats very little in the way of meat, LOVES these and I am happy about that, because GoMarcoBars are a great way to get a decent amount of protein into him. His new favorite is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.
Quinn’s Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pretzels
So these are amazing and the only GLUTEN FREE Peanut butter Pretzel I have found. It’s the salty sweet thing that is so appealing with these nuggets of deliciousness.
These can be super pricey, so look for a sale OR order them from Imperfect Produce, like we do. They are consistently the lowest price I can find on Imperfect.( Use this link and you’ll get a big discount off your first order and I’ll get a small commission ! )
Related: ADHD Diet 101: The Basics and How to Start
Justin’s Nut Butter Packets
These easy to pack snacks are a new favorite. My son took Justin’s Almond Butter Packs to camp this year and now he is hooked!
Each packet has between 6 and 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar or less.
They are easy to open and squeeze right into your mouth! Surely these will be a staple in lunches this year. Justin’s has many flavors, but our favorite so far is the Maple Almond Butter.
Munk Pack Protein Cookie
MunkPacks are probably in our top three faves at the moment. These are delicious and really filling. MunkPack Protein Cookies are big and really are nearly a small meal.
They make a great, on-the-go-breakfast, too!
The protein is plant based, there’s no soy, gluten or dairy, so Munk Packs meet my toughest requirements. I literally have to hide these, because my kids will eat two a day, they are that delicious!
Chomps Meat Stick
These Chomps meat sticks have zero sugar and come in many varieties. They are super high in protein and great for lunches and on-the-go.
Chomps meat sticks have 9 grams of protein! Check out the Original Beef and Free Range Turkey.
RX NutButter Packs
These are delicious and quite new on the snack scene. Like the RX Bars, these nut butter packs list the ingredients right on the front of the package.
Each pack has 9 grams of protein and are easily eaten on the go.
We have tried all the flavors and love each one! These almost resemble cookie dough. You have to try them! Confession: I bring these in my lunch, too, they are so yummy.
IWON Protein Stix
These crunchy snacks are also new to us. In fact, we first got them on clearance at Sierra Trading Post ( a TJMaxx/Homegoods company) and my kids loved them. They are tasty, plant based snacks that look a bit like Cheetos, but have 5 grams of protein per serving.
Bare Apple snacks
Bare Apple Snacks are so yummy and have just one ingredient — APPLES!! Besides tasting delicious, these are VERY crunchy and so, have the added benefit of the proprioceptive input.
Foods that are super crunchy – think carrot sticks, nuts, and now, these crunchy chips are meant to waken up a child’s senses, making them more attentive. These are on the sweet side and serve as a bit of a treat, too.
Bare also makes banana chips, which are just as delicious!
Glee Gum
My kids both are big gum chewers….they have accommodations to chew in school because it helps them focus so well.
Glee gum is all natural with none of the pesky fake sweeteners – and it’s plastic free!! I didn’t even realize other gum contained plastic!
We get the multi-pack from Amazon, but it’s available at Whole Foods, too.
Bobo’s Almond Butter and Hemp Bars
These pack much more protein than their nut free alternatives we have been used to. They are also great for having low sugar.
ProBar Nut Butter Packs
Similar to other nut butter packs, these are low in sugar and great for on the go energy. I find these on sale at Sierra Trading Post all the time.
Help!! These Snacks for ADHD are pricey!!!
Yes, the best processed foods are pricey. Here’s how we handle that:
- These snacks are only eaten on the go . Snacks at home consist of fruit and veggies with dip or leftovers, peanut butter sandwiches on g-free bread, sweet potato chips, olives, etc.
- I shop with Amazon’s Subscribe and Save feature.
- I buy snacks in my weekly Imperfect Foods Box
- I use the Prime app at Whole Foods to get an extra 10% sale items.
- I check HomeGoods food section and find some of these options there.
- Target often has sales on some of these items, as well and they find themselves on the end caps on a fairly regular basis.
- I only put out a few at a time and hide the rest(literally, I have a bag in my car!)…my boys would eat three a day, if they were available to them!
Do let me know if any of these already rank as one of your faves. Try one or two and let me know how your family likes them.
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item using a link I may get a small payment at no extra cost to you.
Need more food ideas for ADHD?
If you want to make snacks from scratch, Here’s our favorite snack cookbook.
Learn about our Best Breakfasts for ADHD HERE.
These ADHD Lunch ideas may be what you need.
I’ve listed 75 of our favorite ADHD diet approved meals, HERE.
