Mott’s Fruits​ations + Veggie frui​t snacks (sponsored post)

I’m working on a back-to-school post – about backpacks and shoes and pretty clothes for school photos – and all I can think about is food.

Almost one year ago, I made my first school lunch. It was a novel feeling and I puffed up my chest in one of those I AM MOM, HEAR ME CLOSE TUPPERWARE! moments. Let’s just say the novelty wore off pretty quickly, and making lunches became more chore than glory-mom celebration.

I will lovingly crafting an artisan sandwich and slice precisely one fruit and one vegetable. But I’m never going to be the mom who spends time making carrot slices into flowers. And when it comes to school snacks, I’m good with convenience. Since we eat fruits and veg around here as snacks, I more than frequently let school lunches (which are only required two to three times a week because we’re still not on the full-day, every-day kindergarten curriculum) contain packaged snacks.

From cereal bars to fruit twists to fish-shaped crackers, I believe that everything in moderation can be healthy in a child’s diet.

And, frankly, when I’m trying to pack up homework, figure out tomorrow’s wardrobe, sign permission slips and fish out yet another five-dollar bill for whatever fundraiser the school has on this week, I also don’t mind giving myself the gift of a bit of extra time by grabbing some kind of prepared snack pack.

Two flavours. Both get unanimous thumbs up!

When MomCentral offered some of its bloggers the opportunity to try out the new Mott’s Fruitsations + Veggie fruit snacks, I was excited to participate. Because while I’m OK with packaged snacks (again, in moderation) and I’m not fussed about calories, I am anti-salt and very particular about how kids’ snacks are sweetened.

If I see fructose or glucose or any other “ose”es in the ingredient list, count me out. Not interested. I already feel guilty enough about not being Betty Crocker and having my mother-in-law’s tasty Irish scones freshly baked for my family every morning, thank you very much.

Thankfully, Mott’s gets it right and uses real fruit to sweeten the Fruitsations + Veggie fruit snacks. They also managed to make them gluten-free.

My kids were excited to try the Mott’s fruit and veg snacks, and their excitement didn’t wane when they started eating inhaling them, either. I’m glad these come in appropriate kid-sized packages – or my kids would have eated an entire box on day one.  They LOVED them!

We don’t have many food battles at our house, but for those of you with kids who run for cover at the sight of anything resembling a vegetable, this snack might be a good way to sneak in a part-serving of veggies.

I took a couple boxes to The K Man’s baseball game last week to see what his teammates thought of Mott’s Fruitsations + Veggie fruit snacks. The verdict? “Mommy, they LOVED the gummies,” professed my son dramatically. Sounds like they were a big hit.

These are definitely going on my grocery list and into the school lunch snack rotation.

And Mott’s wants to help your back-to-school list be a bit more palatable. Visit the Life Made Delicious Facebook Page and enter to win one of three $500 gift cards. They’re up for grabs until September 8, 2013.

While you’re there, look for a $0.50-off coupon (while quantities last).

What are some of your kids’ favourite snacks?

DISCLAIMER: I am participating in the Mott’s Fruitsations + Veggie fruit snacks blogger campaign with MomCentral Canada. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are always my own. Forever and ever, amen.