Blog 08.05.2022

BLOG: 16 Healthy Snacks for Your Next Road Trip

It’s so easy to just pull off the road to the nearest fast food place. The smell of burgers and fries can be overpowering. But try to resist! Keep a generous supply of these road trip snacks and before you know it, you’ll be whizzing past the Golden Arches with not a regret in the world.

 

You’ll feel better overall, too! And…you’ll be saving money without stopping at fast food drive-thrus or greasy spoon diners. It’s a win-win!

 

The Best Snacks for Road Trips

 

Steer clear of those Snickers bars, Funyuns, and fried pork skins when filling up at the gas station with these healthy and tasty alternatives. These foods have nearly zilch nutritional value and actually put harmful chemicals in your body. High fructose corn syrup, anyone? To that, we say “no thanks.”

 

Eat these instead. Trust us, your body will thank you.

 

Beef jerky. Not only is jerky packed with protein, but it’s also fun to eat and these days come in a variety of flavors. If possible, buy your jerky from a natural foods store, not the gas station where they are packed with sodium.

 

Popcorn. A great source of fiber with complex carbs to help promote regularity. Just don’t get microwave popcorn (as tasty as it is!) because it’s loaded with chemicals. Ready-popped natural bagged popcorn is best.

 

PB Sandwich (skip the J). Yes, we know. Jelly adds that sweetness that goes well with the savory peanut butter, but jelly adds nothing but SUGAR. No bueno. If you really need yang to go with the yin of PB, how about adding some banana slices? Elvis did it, and so should you.

 

Hard-boiled eggs. These are easy to make ahead of time and keep in a chilled to-go bag. For the perfect breakfast on the go, pair them with whole wheat crackers for some crunch.

 

Protein bars. Again, not just any protein bar will do. Some are just full of sugar and crazy additives you’ve never heard of. Look for bars that have natural ingredients without the inevitable sugar crash.

 

String cheese. This seems to be everyone’s favorite. Maybe because it’s just fun to eat! And guess what? It’s healthy! Get your calcium here! Even better if you pair it with apple slices and you’ll feel your energy levels increase in no time.

 

Carrots and Grapes. You know when you’re on the road and you just want to munch on something because you’re bored? Carrots and/or grapes are the answer, and they are a no-mess snack.

 

Nuts, nuts, nuts! The perfect plant-based protein. They’re also jam-packed with unsaturated fat, fiber, and fatty acids. Good and good for you! Pistachios are great, along with almonds, and walnuts.

 

Baked chickpeas. These are easy to make at home ahead of time. Packed with fiber, you can season these in a number of different ways to keep the whole crew happy. Simply drain and dry the chickpeas, then toss with a little olive oil, and season with salt or any other spice of your choosing, then bake at 450F for 30-40 minutes.

 

Trail Mix. You can make trail mix at home or go to your favorite health food store and get a variety of different flavors.

 

No-bake protein balls. Here is where you can get really creative and satisfy the entire family. To get you started, combine rolled oats, dried fruit, nut butter, chopped nuts, protein powder, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips. Roll into balls and put into the cooler.

 

Dried fruits. This is another sugar trap you can easily fall into, so be sure to check the label that it doesn’t contain high-fructose corn syrup or added sugars. Fruits naturally already have all the sugar you need!

 

Guacamole with Sliced Bell Peppers. This is a great alternative to chips and guac. Tortilla chips are not the healthiest snack, so substitute for some nice crunchy bell peppers, which have additional nutrients that chips simply cannot offer. And guac is full of healthy fats from the almighty avocado.

 

Sunflower seeds. Whether you like ‘em shelled or unshelled, you cannot beat this healthy snack, full of magnesium for heart health.

 

Peanut butter pretzels. This is the perfect healthy tummy-filler until your next meal. Be sure to look for the natural versions that are not full of added sugar, and try not to eat the entire bag at once (we know it’s hard!)

 

Dark chocolate. Many of us grew up on milk chocolate, but once we made the switch to dark chocolate, we didn’t look back. It truly is the healthy man’s chocolate and a great snack for the road.

Blog 08.05.2022