Tuesday 18th March 2025
A Nutritionist’s Tips for Eating on-the-go with Kids
Dr Alice is putting her expertise to work at Yeo Valley bringing her medical expertise as a doctor and a fresh perspective on health and nutrition to the Yeo team. Here is her take on eating on-the-go with kids.
Getting out the door with kids is one of life’s greatest challenges, not to mention the number of things you need to pack. Many parents will agree that, for days out, packing snacks is essential for when tummies get hungry.
As a mum myself, I love to swing by our local cafe en-route to the park for pastries (and much-needed coffee), but most of the time we aim to bring our own food. This not only helps save the pennies but ensures there is something nutritious for the kids to eat, which isn’t always available when you’re out.
Preparing food for on-the-go can feel like yet another barrier to getting out the door, but a little prep goes a long way toward making outings with kids that little bit smoother. That is why having little Yeos pouches on hand can be a quick, fuss-free option to grab when leaving the house. With plenty of choices in the range, including No-Added-Sugar and Greek-style Natural pouches, Little Yeos are my go-to.
Some of my other favourite snacks to take are things like fruit, veg sticks, cheese and oat cakes, left over pancakes or something from my freezer stash, like mini muffins or scones, that I take out to defrost the night before.
When the days get a bit warmer, we try to spend more time outdoors with all the excitement of picnic lunches. When preparing lunches on the go, I still aim for balance, meaning we include one of each of the following.
A portion of starchy carbohydrates like bread, wraps, pasta, etc, and aim to include a variety of wholegrain and white versions.
A portion of protein such as beans, eggs, fish, and meat (for on-the-go tinned fish like tuna works well).
Portion of vegetables and fruit. For on-the-go, carrot sticks, cucumber, peppers, and tomatoes are great options; if you have any leftover cooked veggies, these are also easy to bring along.
A portion of dairy and Little Yeo’s Organic Pouches are the perfect on-the-go solution.
Staying hydrated is important, and for most kids, water is the best option alongside their usual milk.
My favourite on-the-go lunches include things like pinwheels, sandwiches, fritters, savoury muffins or simple pasta dishes that can be eaten cold. I try to utilise leftovers whenever possible to save time. See below for my favourite salmon, pea and cheddar fritter recipe.
Where possible, it’s great to get kids involved in preparing food to take out and give them some choices so they have a sense of independence and control. It can also help to ensure there are some familiar and trusted foods alongside anything new.
When it comes to packing up food, you don’t need anything fancy; some simple Tupperware or any reusable containers will do. Don’t forget the best bit about eating in the great outdoors with kids is there is no mega clean-up operation involving crawling around under the table with a dustpan and brush.
Check out our recipes for more inspiration.
