Anyone out there who regularly purchases food for kids – especially organic, healthy food – can tell you that grocery bills add up quick, even if the child you’re feeding is picky. I can only imagine how parents of teenagers feel when they stock up on food every week! When it comes to feeding Chase, we try to keep his diet well-rounded and full of fruits and veggies, healthy fats and protein. Of course this is easier said than done and while we’d ideally get greens in his belly a heck of a lot more frequently than we do, I’ve adopted a slightly more relaxed attitude about his eating because stressing out about it doesn’t do anything to improve his appetite and there’s definitely no forcing a toddler to eat if they aren’t interested.
That being said, Chase has developed some food and snack time favorites and there are certain foods I find myself purchasing for him on repeat. Ever since we began shopping at ALDI regularly, I feel like I am constantly discovering a new healthy snack for Chase that is both affordable and made with simple and often organic ingredients. We purchase a lot of our organic fruits and vegetables at ALDI in addition to their grass fed organic beef (another Chase fav!) but for today’s post, I wanted to share a roundup of five ALDI-specific foods Chase loves. (I can also vouch for the tastiness of all of these snacks… yes, even the pouches!)
Toddler Favorites from ALDI
- Clancy’s Original Veggie Straws
I first purchased these veggie straws when I saw another toddler snacking on them in the cart at ALDI as his mother shopped. Of course Chase saw this snack action happening and immediately pointed at the veggie straws in the toddler’s hands and said, “Blease! Blease!” (His version of “please” still begins with a “b.”) Naturally the veggie straws made it into our cart because I’m a sucker and if something with the word “veggie” on it even remotely interests Chase, I’m going to try it! And just like that, a love affair was born. The veggie straws are crunchy, salty and very tasty and pack well in a small Ziploc bag (they don’t crush as easily as other crackers). Though we treat them like chips (so they’re more of a “treat” snack), they’re definitely a favorite when we bring them out!
- SimplyNature Cashew Butter
Proceed with caution around this cashew butter because you will want to eat the whole jar in one sitting! Chase saw me snacking on a spoonful of the cashew butter a few weeks ago and seemed interested, so I made him a cashew butter and jelly sandwich. He absolutely inhaled it! I am always looking for ways to get Chase to eat more foods that contain healthy fats and this nut butter is one of his new favorites. In addition to sandwiches, he loves using it as a dip for apple and pear slices.
- Elevation Pure & Simple Apple Pie Bars
The Elevation Pure & Simple bars first attracted my attention thanks to their simple ingredient list. These bars remind me of energy bites I make for Chase that he loves (mainly dates, nuts and spices) and the apple pie flavor is his (and my!) favorite. They’re easy to throw into my bag at the last minute and work well as a delicious source of energy when Chase is hungry and we’re out and about.
- SimplyNature Organic Shells & White Cheddar
The SimplyNature Organic Shells & White Cheddar pasta is a hit with our picky little eater! I can often sneak riced cauliflower into the dish at the last minute which makes me happy since anytime I can get veggies in Chase’s belly, it feels like a small victory. I’m not going to lie, Ryan and I love this mac and cheese, too!
- Little Journey Organic Food Pouches
I love these pouches so much not only for the sheer convenience (organic fruits and veggies on the go!) but also the price. They come in a variety of flavors including Pear Apple Spinach, Apple Banana Strawberry Yogurt (Chase’s favorite), Apple Carrot, and Banana Apricot Apple Rice. I always have a pouch of some kind in my bag and Chase is a big fan of the Little Journey flavors!
ALDI Giveaway
And just in case you didn’t have the chance to enter the ALDI giveaway last week, you still have time to win a $250 gift card to ALDI!
To enter this giveaway, simply use the widget below and click here to find your local ALDI. A winner will be randomly selected first thing next Friday morning!
Good luck!
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Love them for their European chocolates!
We love Aldi for all the organic food for baby led weaning!
I haven’t shopped at Aldi since we moved about a year ago and your post reminded me that I need to get back there for grocery shopping! Thanks for sharing all the items your son loves – my daughter will love them, too!
Love Aldi!
I’ve been shopping at Aldi for a while now and I really love it! I wish our store was a little bigger, since the produce section can often not have the best selection, but I still love Aldi regardless. And those veggie straws – so good!!
Our Aldi was just remodeled and I can’t wait to get back in there to check out some of the products you have featured! They are always a good place to load up on baking items and spices too!
I love seeing the changing inventory and awesome produce at my local aldi. I also make my own dog food, so having a place where I can stock up on ground turkey is essential!
I love Aldi!
I’ve been wanting to visit my local ALDI since you’ve been posting about them! Can’t wait to see how it’s changed!
After reading your post earlier this week, I went to Aldi and it is AMAZING! I loved that they had affordable grass fed beef. And I picked up some marinara sauce that doesn’t have any added sugar – so hard to find that. Thanks for sharing!
Love Aldi! Its a fun field trip for my 6 month old and I 🙂
Finally stopped at an ALDI recently based on your posts and I was amazed at how they seem to have everything yet the store is half the size so i don’t have to hunt around! anything that saves time is a winner in my books!
I finally jumped on the Aldi bandwagon too and I’m so glad I did! Each week, I find more things that I start to buy on repeat. Fun post!
Love Aldi! I buy my diapers and wipes there because I haven’t found anything cheaper or better!
What an awesome giveaway! I’ve been following the Dave Ramsey plan for about a year now and the only thing missing for me is an ALDI. I’ve got one about 45 minutes- 1 hour away and just haven’t taken the leap to drive that far for groceries… maybe this will help push me, ha. Thanks, Julie and ALDI!
I have pouches EVERYWHERE! I even leave them at peoples houses we frequent because you never know when you’ll need one! Love that those are organic. My local ALDI is about 20 minutes away, so that’s not bad!
I decided to pop in after reading your post about your rediscovered love. While my local Aldi is actually being remodeled right now, I can tell it will be a favorite once they get everything settled. I’m looking forward to it!
I just love the variety.
There’s a brand new Aldi right by us that I’ve been meaning to check out!
I started shopping at Aldi two years ago and tracked my savings loosely. I was amazed at how far I could stretch my dollars. Now when I have to shop at a different grocery store, I break out into a cold sweat at the register!! Sticker shock!
Love Aldi for family staples like milk, eggs, and pantry items!
Why are veggi straws the best thing ever! Haha. I’m moving near an aldi in 2 months and can’t wait to try it out!!
The canned goods are so cheap so I always load up on beans and tomatoes when I go. I also love coconut oil and produce.
I’d love to give Aldi a try!
Aldi is the best! We always find something new to buy!
Love this list! I was at Aldi yesterday and was eyeing the elevation bars for my 20 month old. I will get them next time, thanks!
There’s an Aldi less than a mile from my house! Going to stop by this weekend!
I love have a GREAT grocery store like ALDI right near where I work to help keep my family eating healthy all week long!
I must be missing something. Hubby and I went into Aldi last weekend and we HATED it. Produce was awful and the store setup looked like a small warehouse. Didn’t see much fresh food but honestly we both got such a bad feeling about the place we really didn’t look around that much.
I have been hearing so many great things about Aldi… I need to start shopping there asap!
An Aldi is opening near my house… so excited!
When ALDI came to our area last year we became obsessed! Def huge fans!
I hope to stop shopping there this summer when we move into our new house!
Whoops, I was trying to say I hope to start shopping there soon.
I live in Jacksonville and Aldi is popping up on every side of town. I love their prices! They have the best salami sticks around! Lots of varieties.
The peanut butter filled pretzels are UNREAL!!
My Mom LOVES Aldi so she asked me to go with her. I refuse to go anywhere else for produce. Their prices are so much more affordable than other grocery stores!
I’ve only been to an Aldi once, but your posts are making me want to start going regularly!
Love aldi!! I can’t believe that some of their preducts are such good quality for seriously half the price at other grocery stores!!
I have recently started shopping at Aldi more for our produce and snacks. Great prices especially on gluten free and/or organic items!
Our Aldi is currently closed for construction, can’t wait till its done and we can shop there again!
We LOVE Aldi and have saved so much money by shopping there! I’m still amazed at my total when I check out and I’ve been shopping there for nearly three years!
We have two Aldi’s nearby yet I haven’t had the opportunity to shop at either yet. I look forward to making a trip to one soon.
I’ve actually never been to an Aldi but would love to try!
I LOVE aldi! I love how much more affordable their organics and baby items are! My 11mo old loves the puffs and I was so happy to find they now carry an organic version with veggies in them!
I have never been to ALDI, but I searched for one near me based on the link you included in a blog post a couple weeks ago and who knew!!! There is one 30 minutes from me. I am a school psychologist so I am on summer break in a week and a half and am going to road trip to ALDI! Woo hoo
I love Aldi! I’m expecting another baby and I would love to try their diaper line as well.
Aldi is a favorite for our house! We love the same toddler snacks, too!!
I’ve only shopped at Aldi once or twice, but your posts are making me very intrigued to try it again!
Love the organic produce!