Snacks and road trips go hand in hand. In fact, a good snack stash is imperative for an enjoyable drive.
In my younger years, a pit stop (or three) for tasty treats from the convenience store was a part of every trip. We didn’t leave town without picking up bags of potato chips, some sodas, maybe a couple of taquitos off the hot rollers, and plenty of candy.
These days, though, I try to be a little more mindful about what I eat. And unfortunately for me, that means passing up all those gas station rollers full of junk food.
That doesn’t mean not snacking, though. No, I’m a self-proclaimed snack queen. Give me all the snacks!
It does mean snacking a little smarter, though. Yep, even when I’ve loaded up the car and I’m heading out on vacation. That’s because loading up on candy full of sugar and greasy chips always makes me feel all-around awful. Processed foods include unhealthy amounts of added sugar, sodium, and fat while delivering not much else in the nutrition department. In the long term, this leads to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other serious health issues. But even in the short term, like on a road trip, it’ll send your blood sugar soaring, and then lead to that sluggish crash later on.
The next time you’re packing up for a road trip, try opting for delicious snacks that are healthy! Well, at the very least, snacks that are healthier than a whole bag of Doritos. Need some ideas? Check out these road-worthy snacks!
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CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Snack Sticks
Beef jerky is high in protein, low in calories, and a good source of important vitamins and nutrients. Besides, there’s something pretty satisfying about how tough and chewy it is. The key, though, is choosing a better-for-you variety, and Slim Jims from the gas station checkout line isn’t it. It’s time to reach for the real stuff.
CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Snack Sticks are just as easy to eat, but they serve as a healthier alternative to Slim Jim’s meat concoction. They are still in the same handy stick shape, but CHOMPS Jerky Sticks are made with grass-fed, “Certified Humane” beef. They contain significantly less fat, sodium, and preservatives. They are also gluten-free, Whole30, and Paleo-friendly.
Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs
When I was a kid, my mom used to eat a spoonful of peanut butter as a snack. If you’re a peanut butter lover like her, you’ll be happy to find out that this tasty spread has become more convenient than ever. Many companies have begun producing single-serve peanut butter pouches in recent years. These handy little packs are a great way to get some protein and fiber on the go.
How you snack on peanut butter is up to you. Clearly, you can rip one of these pouches open and use it to squeeze peanut butter on apple slices, celery sticks, crackers, or anything else. However, these simple pouches also mean that you can just eat the peanut butter all on its own – without utensils or any mess.
String Cheese
Look, we all know string cheese as a lunchbox staple for school-age kids. But there is no rule that says adults can’t eat string cheese, too. Folks with dietary restrictions aside, is there anyone who doesn’t like cheese? Not only is cheese delicious, but it’s also packed with calcium and protein. Put it in an easy-to-eat stick, and you’ve got the perfect road trip snack.
Old-school string cheese is not your only option, either. There is a cheese and shape for every taste. You can find snacking cheese in sticks, slices, mini wheels, and cubes. And aside from the classic mozzarella sticks, you can find pepper jack, gouda, sharp cheddar, asiago, and so many more. Pair cheese with some crackers, or just eat it on its own.
Whisps Cheese Crisps
Speaking of cheese, have you heard of Whisps Cheese Crisps? If you stick to a gluten-free or keto diet, you might even have some of these in the cabinet already. But even if you don’t stick to any special dietary restrictions, they’re too delicious to ignore. They might be keto-friendly and gluten-free, but they pack a super satisfying crunch.
Whisps Asiago and Pepper Jack Cheese Crisps are my favorites because they have just a hint of heat. It’s not too overpowering, which means I can keep eating ‘em. However, there are numerous other flavors available, such as Barbeque, Nacho, and fresh Tomato Basil. If you prefer a snack that really brings the heat, try the Hot and Spicy flavor!
Starbucks Protein Boxes
Sometimes, hitting up a drive-thru is inevitable. Most of the time, that means unhealthy, processed food lacking nutrients and loaded with sodium. Luckily, there are a few healthier options that you can pick up without even getting out of the car.
I really like the protein boxes that Starbucks offers. I’m definitely a snacker, and these boxes are like a grown-up version of a snack tray. They are packed with a variety of small munchies to keep you going – plus they’re full of protein, to give you long-lasting energy. Besides, I’ll take any excuse to pick up an extra cup of coffee.
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barkTHINS
Not everyone wants a savory snack. If your sweet tooth is calling, you don’t have to suffer! It’s okay to give in, as long as you’re being a little smarter about it. We all know that too many sweet treats can often lead to health issues over time, like weight gain, inflammation, higher blood pressure, or diabetes. Plus, regular sweets have so much sugar that they often lead to that dreaded sugar crash. By reaching for barkTHINS instead of a regular chocolate bar, you can enjoy decadent chocolate flavors with less sugar, which means no sugar crash later.
barkTHINS are made with slivers of dark chocolate, paired with simple but tasty ingredients. They use ingredients like pumpkin seeds, blueberries, almonds, and more. You will find healthy fats, protein, and other important nutrients packed inside these snacks. Plus, they definitely have less sugar than a traditional chocolate bar. Of course, moderation is key!
KIND Bars
Not all snack bars are created the same. While they all boast about how much protein or fiber they have, many of them aren’t advertising just how much sugar is also in there. And truth be told, these things can be loaded down with sugar. Again, nobody wants all the health issues that come from too much sugar. If you’re going to reach for a convenient bar to snack on, the key is to avoid the ones that have more sugar than protein in them.
Even with flavors like Dark Chocolate Almond Mint and Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Nut, many of KIND’s offerings only have 5g of sugar or less. So while the flavors might seem indulgent, they’re kind of good for you, too.
Fresh Veggies
I swear I’m not your grandma, but you have to admit that there’s nothing quite like some fresh veggies. Sure, this healthy snack will require more prep on your end than just grabbing a bag of chips while on the road. At the same time, if you’re really trying to eat healthily, it’s worth the extra prep time.
Simple veggies make for a crisp snack that’s low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients. Dip ‘em in hummus, or just eat them as they are. You can literally eat as many of these as you want, without worrying about it being unhealthy. Bell peppers, carrots, and celery make for great veggie sticks. Or, mix it up with some broccoli florets, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes.
Okay You Can Have a Little Junk, as a Treat
I know that my entire list of healthier snack options might make me seem like a bit of a fuddy-duddy. I promise I’m not… most of the time. However, if you’re here reading this list, I’m assuming you’re at least a little concerned about healthy snacks.
I have to drop this in, though: you can have a little junk food, as a treat. We all know that ultra-processed foods are bad for us. Too much of it can cause some serious health issues in the long term, and can even just make you feel sluggish in the short term.
All that being said, sometimes it is better to let ourselves indulge – just a tiny bit! – rather than deprive ourselves altogether. It is okay to enjoy something in moderation, even if it’s not healthy. Being overly hard or restrictive with ourselves can sometimes backfire, leading to some sugary binge sessions. Besides, leading a healthier lifestyle is a hard enough feat on its own. Giving yourself a happy little reward won’t ruin all your other healthy habits.
Again, moderation is key. So after you pack all of your healthy road trip snacks, go ahead and throw in a bag of chips, too.
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