Snack portions

[Rachael]

Try adding cereal like Cheerios or crackers.
In the cooler months I often do toast with peanut butter (subject to allergies) and sliced bananas on top.
Use yoghurt and make small parfaits with layered cereal, yoghurt and fruit (doesn't need to be huge).
Veggies and dip is normally cheaper than fruit if you keep to the seasonal veg. You can cut carrots, celery, cucumber, salad peppers into sticks and that's a colourful selection for lower prices.
I sometimes make banana mini muffins or flax squares.

I avoid at all costs the granola bars, Nutragrain bars, pre-packed snacks - that gets expensive fast.

Tip - a couple of times a week, at naptime or when the children are playing quietly, I chop veggies to last a couple of days and then store in the fridge, pre-cut in lidded containers.

Same for grapes, melon, etc.

It means the boxes can be stacked which takes up less space but also everything is ready to go. I also find, being able to see clearly what's in there means less waste from veggies being lost at the back of the fridge until past their best.