The dietitians at the Brittany Jones Nutrition Group are big snackers. Homemade trail mix, fruit and nuts, and veggies and dip are some of our favorites! We are also very realistic and we know that we can’t always expect to carve out the time to prep snacks during the day and sometimes it’s easier to reach for a prepackaged snack (especially when traveling). With the aisles of snack options to choose from, the snack choosing decision can be intimidating.
“What snacks should I buy?” “What ingredients should I avoid?” and “How can I tell if it’s healthy?”
When shopping for snacks, we recommend looking for options that feature a protein and/or good fat. Most prepackaged snacks are carbohydrate based (which is fine), and adding fat and/or protein to a carbohydrate will slow down digestion keeping you fuller longer. It also keeps your blood sugar and energy levels more stable. The next thing we look for is real ingredients! We like to stick to whole foods as much as possible. Check the ingredients label. What is the first ingredient? Look for whole foods such as nuts, whole grains, or fruit. The less ingredients in a pre-packaged snack, the better!
We’ve put together a list of just a few of our favorite packaged snack options to make it easier for you! From protein bars to chickpea puffs these snacks can either be picked up at the grocery store, or ordered online and delivered straight to your door via a service like Thrive Market.
10 Healthy Grab & Go Snacks
Somersaults are crunchy salty sunflower seed bites that have 6g of protein, making them perfect snacks to take with you on the go! They are also nut free and great for kids with food allergies.
Jerky is a great high protein snack option for your morning or afternoon snack (option to pair with a carb like a piece of fruit). The Trader Joe’s turkey jerky is low in saturated fat (so it will keep your LDL cholesterol low) is nitrate free, and is made from turkeys without growth hormones.
Have you ever tried broad beans? We hadn’t either until we tried this snack! Beans are high in carbohydrates and protein making the perfect snack combination – not to mention it’s also portable and kid food allergy friendly (gluten free, nut free)
Protein bars are a great option for snacks on the go. We like RXBars because they use minimal ingredients with nothing extra added. They also use egg whites as their source of protein instead of protein powder!
Chocolate covered almonds. Need we say more? These almonds are lightly dipped in dark chocolate to give you a sweet and crunchy afternoon snack that features protein and good fat to keep you full until dinner time.
Late July Organic Bite Size Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
If you are a peanut butter cracker lover, you will love these sandwich crackers! They are an organic spin on a classic snack, and they taste great.
Hippeas are basically the protein packed version of Cheetos (and who isn’t down for that?!) These light airy cheddar puffs are made of chickpeas loading the snack with both protein and carbohydrates for a completely satisfying snack!
Another power house chickpea snack! Beina has a variety of salty and sweet roasted chickpeas. They have a nice crunch similar to nuts. It’s also a great option for kids with nut allergies!
Lara Bars are great to keep in your bag, car, or anywhere you might need a quick snack. These bars are made of dates, nuts, and other dried fruits and taste like some of your favorite desserts. They all have 6 ingredients or less!
Trail mix is always a great snack option, with dried fruit for a carbohydrate and nuts for protein/good fats. If you are traveling or don’t have time to make a trail mix, this option is a great second best.
Healthy snacking is not always easy, especially if you’re out and about. We always recommend having some snacks with you in case hunger strikes! what are some of your favorite healthy snacks? Let us know below!
