Portable Healthy Eats: 31 Long-Lasting Treats Suitable for Traveling
In today's fast-paced world, finding healthy snack options that are both tasty and convenient can be a challenge. However, with a little bit of planning and creativity, you can enjoy a variety of nutritious snacks that will fuel your body and satisfy your cravings. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Granola Bars
Swap your store-bought granola bars for homemade ones, which are often free from high-fructose corn syrup. Sugar-free granola bars make an excellent alternative, and you can find recipes for low-sugar options like KIND's cinnamon oat bar, which contains only 5 grams of added sugar.
Fruit and Nut Butter
Fruit and nut butter make a great portable snack, with apples and bananas being always winners. If you're packing bananas, consider placing them in a paper bag to speed up the ripening process.
Veggie Chips
Green pea chips are a convenient store-bought option for veggie chips, with Trader Joe's Contemplations Inner Peas being a popular choice. For a DIY approach, you can make homemade veggie chips from a variety of ingredients like sweet potato or apple.
Crunchy Snacks
Spicy roasted chickpeas can satisfy your crunch cravings and are protein-filled, with the seasoning able to suit all taste buds. CHOMPS grass-fed beef jerky is another high protein, crunchy snack that can be paired with whole wheat crackers like Mary's Gone Crackers.
Whole Grains
Whole wheat pita chips are a healthier alternative to sodium-laden potato chips. You can season them with Old Bay or cinnamon and sugar for added flavour. Dry cereal can offer healthy carbs, fiber, and protein, but it's important to be mindful of serving sizes and to read labels, as some breakfast cereals can be high in calories and sugar.
Fruits and Proteins
Fresh fruit like grapes, berries, or melon can be a refreshing and nutritious snack, especially when paired with a protein source like yogurt or nuts. Buddy Fruits pure blended fruit comes in multiple flavors, made with 100% real fruit and can help adults get their daily dose of fruit. Dried fruit can be a convenient snack, but it's important to buy unsweetened varieties to avoid excessive sugar consumption.
DIY Snacks
DIY protein bars can be a healthier alternative to store-bought bars, avoiding the sugar trap. Some popular recipes include No-Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars, No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars. Caramelized pumpkin seeds can be made sweet or savory and are packed with vitamins, making them an ideal quick, crunchy snack.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
For those following a vegan or gluten-free diet, there are plenty of options available. Vegan "Dorito" popcorn uses nutritional yeast in place of cheese to make it vegan and non-perishable. Green pea chips are a vegan and gluten-free option for veggie chips. No-bake double chocolate peanut butter bites are gluten-free and vegan, making them a great snack for those with stomach sensitivities. Whole wheat zucchini muffins are suitable for those who prefer the dairy-free or vegan lifestyle.
Exciting Snacks
Curried carrot chips can add excitement to plain raw carrots, making them a more satisfying snack. Turbana plantain chips are a healthier option than fried, potato-based chips, with Turbana offering all-natural plantain chips in seven varieties. DIY fruit leather is a healthier version of childhood favourite fruit rollups, using fresh fruit and no added sugar. The Sneaky Green Apple Fruit Leather recipe is a popular choice.
Pairings
Dark chocolate can be a healthy snack, as it contains antioxidants and has been linked to better mental health. It's important to pair dark chocolate with a healthy sidekick, like a clementine or pomegranate seeds. Pretzels and cheese make a healthy snack pair, with string cheese not requiring refrigeration for midday snacking.
Portable Snacks
Vegetable salad rolls are a portable and easy-to-eat alternative to salad. They can be filled with a variety of vegetables and a sauce of choice. Fresh vegetables like carrots, bell pepper, and sugar snap peas can be packed as a snack and enjoyed throughout the day. Storing vegetables in a Tupperware instead of a plastic bag can keep them fresher for longer.
Seaweed Snacks
Seaweed is a superfood, high in antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins and minerals. Annie Chun's seaweed snacks are crunchy and come in multiple flavours. Suzie's Puffed Rice Thin Cakes are a lighter, more compact version of rice cakes, perfect for toppings like avocado and Sriracha.
Conclusion
With these healthy snack options, you can fuel your body with nutritious foods that will keep you energized throughout the day. Whether you're looking for a quick, portable snack or something to enjoy at home, there's a healthy option for everyone. Enjoy your snacking!
