When you’re always on the road, it’s easy to let your stomach do the shopping in truck stops and convenience stores. But, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice nutritious foods every time you need a quick snack. This is also the case if you have little ones to feed as well, so it could be worth checking out the best travel snacks for inspiration.
These 15 healthy snacks keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals without making you loosen your belt buckle.
Veggies & Hummus — This snack is perfect for filling you up and keeping you full. Better yet, two tablespoons of hummus with a handful of your favorite veggies (carrots, red peppers, and snap peas are especially delicious!) only adds up to about 100 calories. You can’t go wrong with this tasty snack since it contains tons of iron, Vitamin C, fiber, and protein. *Snacking Hack: put two tablespoons of hummus at the bottom of a travel mug and layer your veggies on top vertically to make for easy eats on the road.*
Hard Boiled Eggs — The incredible egg is a perfect source of protein, amino acids, and lecithin, which help to transport and metabolize fat to build muscle. With only about 70 calories and 5 grams of fat per egg, you can’t go wrong with these guys. Plus, hard boiled eggs are really easy to prepare at home, then take on the road. Don’t want to make them yourself? No worries. Most truck stops sell pre-cooked eggs in their refrigerated section. If you do make them yourself, just make sure to keep them in a cooler during your drive. No one wants a cabin smelling like sun-baked eggs!
Dried Fruits — Dried fruit is the perfect remedy for a sweet tooth. Dried plums and dried apricots are especially good sources of fiber. Researchers even discovered that fiber-rich dried fruit favorably impacts blood sugar and keeps you feeling satisfied longer. When shopping for dried fruits, keep in mind that some have a lot of added sugar. Try to opt for brands that are as natural as possible.
Mixed Nuts — Here’s the thing: Dry roasted, unsalted nuts are excellent sources of protein BUT they contain a high calorie count and fat content. Good news though, the fat in nuts is monounsaturated (aka HEALTHY fat). Not only do mixed nuts contain a bunch of minerals that help energize your body, but they also could reduce your chance of heart disease! Plus, they’re easy to eat on the road and are perfectly nonperishable. If you’re watching your sodium intake, go for unsalted varieties.
Apples — I could go on for years about an apple’s health benefits. But, I’ll control myself and just name a few. Apples are rich in antioxidants and fiber, which help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. We should take the deadly consequences of a heart attack very seriously. This is why we should all visit somewhere like Coast2Coast in Toronto to learn CPR. As if that weren’t enough, apples have also been proven to wake you up just as much, if not better, than coffee does. With their natural sugars and carbohydrates, apples allow your body to wake up and stay energized longer. Apples make the perfect on-the-road snacks because they can hold their own really well. They don’t require refrigeration and their bodies aren’t soft and easily squished. So, whether you
need a sugar fix, a filling snack, or pick-me-up, reach for an apple.
Jerky — You don’t have to give up meat on the road, and jerky is the perfect way to get it. But, let’s be sure to be a little picky when we’re shopping for these salty snacks. Opt for low-sodium beef or turkey jerky made by a natural brand. Avoid the sugar heavy, super salty brands that are popular in stores. Jerky is an excellent source of protein–a one ounce serving contains 9 grams of protein!
Tuna Pouch — Speaking of protein, tuna is loaded with it. With no need to refrigerate or drain these pouches of tuna, these make for easy protein fixes (about 16 grams per serving!) while on the road. Tuna is also great source of selenium and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart and eyes. Eat it just with a fork, or put it on some crackers.
Energy Bars — Energy bars are a great option for a snack or a meal replacement. Be wary that many energy bars contain high amounts of sugars and not very many health benefits. Check out Cooking Light’s list of healthiest energy bars, so you chose the right kind. With their convenience and protein and fiber contents, they make the perfect tie-over snack.
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas) — Never thought of these, did ya? Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of whole-food protein, containing about 7 grams per serving. Even better, none of their 5 carbohydrates are sugars, meaning they’re a healthier protein option than others. Gentlemen, good news: You can use this crunchy snacks as a testosterone-boosting zinc source.
Water — Okay, I know it’s not a food. But, it’s necessary to mention. Staying hydrated with water will make your body thank you throughout the day. So, ditch the soda! Drinking sugars instead of eating them makes your body think it’s still hungry. Whereas, water and water-rich foods help you feel full. Water speeds up metabolism, keeps your muscles, skin, and organs healthy, and helps with digestion. Overall, water is the best option to satisfy your thirst and keep you going.
String Cheese — If you have a cooler to store them, keep these around. String cheese is a good source of protein with very little carbohydrates, so it’s a good option to reach for when hunger strikes. Try to opt for reduced-fat versions to reduce your calorie intake. Plus, string cheese’s calcium levels will keep your bones and teeth happy and healthy.
Dark Chocolate — That’s right, chocolate made the list. If you want to indulge, dark chocolate is the way to go. Now, hold on, before you start jumping for joy, remember that this only counts if you go for anything with at least 60 percent cocoa content. The intense flavors of this dark chocolate will keep you satisfied with less than one ounce. Not to mention, research shows that eating dark chocolate reduces risk of heart disease, helps influence metabolism, and even lowers body fat. How can it get better than that?
Kale and Bean Chips — Freeze! Put down the potato chips. If you need something salty and crunchy, kale chips and bean chips are the way to go. Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth, containing nearly every vitamin in the alphabet. Kale chips have a lot less carbs than potato chips and are just as tasty (I promise). If you want something a little more crunchy and substantial, go for black bean chips. These snacks have about 4 grams of protein per ounce and are great paired with low fat dips.
Yogurt — Think Greek or Icelandic, here. Comparably, these yogurts contain tons of calcium, protein (over 20 grams per serving), and probiotic bacteria. They’re made by straining away extra liquid, so they are delightfully thick and creamy. Toss some plain or vanilla Greek or Icelandic yogurts in your cooler and add fruits to them to cut back on sugar intake.
Celery — We already talked about how healthy water is for your body. Lucky you, celery is 95% water, meaning it is comprised of practically no carbs. This versatile vegetable is chalk-full of vitamin K, which is a pro at bolstering bone health. Not only is it great by itself to satisfy hunger cravings, but it also the perfect vessel to smear nut butter for extra protein.
Want more tips? Check out Body Building’s top 26 healthy snacks for both on and off the road.
Freight factoring keeps your wallet full, while these snacks keep your stomach full. After all, maintaining a healthy diet is just as easy as maintaining solid finances. Check out how truck factoring can get you on the road to a healthier cash flow.
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