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With the return of the school year comes a fresh need for healthy snacks to keep little learners charged up and alert in the classroom. Perhaps your kiddo needs a mid-morning boost, an early-afternoon bite before the bell rings or a special reminder of home during school hours.
One of the best parts of grade school is eagerly opening your bag to see what treat Mom and Dad packed for you to eat. And parents, of course, would love for school snacks to be nutritious. Finding healthy, satisfying snacks is challenging enough at Safeway or Trader Joe’s, but what if it’s also important that your child’s school snacks incorporate a Chinese influence?
Emboldened by this challenge, I recently set out to canvas Chinatown and the other Asian markets in my neighborhood for healthy school snacks. The rules were simple — no junk food, chips, juice, cookies or candy. And everything had to comfortably fit in a backpack’s side pocket.
As you shop, the key is to carefully read labels. Choose brands that are clearly marketed for the United States. Avoid excess sugar, MSG and artificial coloring dyes. Patronize bakeries that don’t use preservatives or flavor enhancers. Buy local produce.
Here are 10 easy grab-and-go Chinese school snacks that will help you promote healthy eating habits and keep your kids coming back for more.
Your turn! What are your favorite healthy Chinese snacks to send to school with your child? Would you add anything to this list? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
□ Fresh Fruit
Your market’s fruit section should be your first stop for healthy snacks. Sliced Asian pears and mangoes are terrific picks year round and it’s easy to send a clutch of lychees, longans or rambutan to school during summer months.
□ Miniature Bakery Favorites
Legions of kids munching on buns on Chinatown sidewalks attest to their popularity with the junior set. Snack-size versions of classics like roast pork buns, pineapple buns and hot dog buns make great choices.
□ Bakery Meals To Go
Chinese bakeries also sell more substantial savory pastries that are a perfect fit for a larger appetite. Many include Western ingredients such as corn, ham, tuna, cheese and green onions.
□ Singaporean Peanuts
Smaller and more flavorful than their Western counterparts, roasted Singaporean peanuts can be eaten by the handful. The best brands contain only peanuts and salt.
□ Soy Milk
Packing almost as much protein as cow’s milk, soy milk can be a preferable alternative to fruit juices. Choose a brand without preservatives, then check the label to avoid excess sugar.
□ Roasted Chestnuts
Some will say that nothing compares to chestnuts freshly roasted on a Hong Kong street corner (hi, Mom!), but these are pretty good, too. Seek out an organic brand and enjoy the nutty roasted flavor.
□ Haw Flakes
These little dried fruit discs are something of a classic Chinese candy substitute. Containing only fruit, sugar and water (avoid brands with red coloring dyes), haw flakes are fun to dissolve on your tongue.
□ Roasted Peas
Roasted green peas are pretty addictive snacks for kids and, ahem, adults will find they go well with a beer. Seek out peas that are seasoned simply without MSG and preservatives.
□ Dried Sweet Plums
These dried plums are something of an acquired taste, but if your kiddo likes them, they’re a great choice that contains only fruit, sugar and salt. If less tartness is preferred, dried mango or ginger strips could be a better choice.
□ Sesame Brittle
Chinese sesame brittle is analogous to a Western granola or trail bar. It’s also a healthier sweet alternative to candy, containing only sesame seeds, malt, honey and salt.
Kim
This is awesome, Wes! Thank you!
Wes Radez
You’re welcome, Kim. Glad you found the list useful! ~Wes
RegularJackass
For those of us who don’t have much in the way of Chinese bakeries, there is also this website https://thewoksoflife.com , and this recipe… https://thewoksoflife.com/2015/03/chinese-hot-dog-buns/
Wes Radez
Great suggestions. Big fans of TWOL here. ~Wes