"There’s Nothing to Eat!" — A Mom’s Fix for the Dreaded Snack Complaint

You know the one.

At that moment, it takes everything in me not to rattle off every possible combo they could make. Instead, I’ve started doing something that’s saved my sanity:

 I leave a list. Right on the fridge.

Why It Works:

Tweens and teens don’t always see food as meals unless it’s already assembled. They don’t know what to do with “ingredients.” That’s where a visual reminder comes in—something they can reference before jumping to the conclusion that there is nothing to eat!

✅ Sample Snack List to Keep on the Fridge or Pantry Door:

• 🥚 Hard-boiled eggs

• 🍎 Apple slices + peanut butter

• 🧀 Babybel or string cheese

• 🫓 Quesadilla (tortilla + cheese in the microwave)

• 🍓 Yogurt + granola + fruit

• 🥜 PB&J on multigrain bread

• 🥑 Chips + guacamole or salsa

• 🍞 Bread + goat cheese or bagel + cream cheese

• 🥒 Pita + cucumbers + hummus

• 🥕 Raw veggies + ranch or hummus

• 🍌 Banana + almond butter

• 🍿 Popcorn

• 🥤 Smoothie

  
  

Bonus Tip: Keep It “Semi-Prepped”

If you want kids to make better food choices without being overwhelmed:

• Pre-wash & cut fruit

• Make hard-boiled eggs in bulk

• Keep yogurt, dips, and cheese where they can see them

• Make individual frozen smoothie bags ahead- prefill ziploc bags with your favorite smoothie ingredients. Just blend with milk when you're ready to enjoy!

  
  

Print the list and hang it up—or write a rotating version on a whiteboard or chalkboard.

You could even do it as a weekend task with the kids so they help brainstorm what snacks they actually like—and what’s available. That way, they own it too.

Final Thought

I’m not anti-snack. I’m just anti-“Mom, there’s nothing to eat” when we both know that’s not true. A simple list on the fridge keeps everyone a little more independent, a little more nourished, and me a little more sane.

For more recipe inspo- click here!

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