There are a few must-haves when you're traveling: a sense of curiosity, comfortable footwear, and tasty, wholesome snacks. In fact, healthy travel snacks are a game changer, staving off hunger pains and giving you the energy to make the most of your adventures. Read on for a rundown of the best nibbles to pack when flying, driving, or hiking.
How to Pack Snacks for Every Journey
Healthy snacks for travel are durable, portable, and energy-boosting. A candy bar from a roadside pit stop isn't quality fuel, and the banana you tossed into your bag may be soft and bruised by the end of the day.
Here are a few tips for having delicious, accessible, and nourishing snacks on hand during your travels:
- Balance your nutrients: To keep your energy stable, opt for proteins and complex carbs. Keep things interesting by combining flavors and textures, such as sweet, chewy dried fruit and crunchy, savory nuts. Bento boxes with compartments are great for separating crackers, veggie sticks, and cheese.
- Leave the messy, crumbly snacks at home: Your food should hold up regardless of how many miles you travel. Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, and jerky are trusted travel companions. Lightweight containers are useful for foods that need more protection, such as berries or mini-muffins.
- Package food into snack-sized portions: Use sealable plastic or silicone bags or small food containers for eating on the go. Small snacks are less intrusive when you're squished in the middle seat of an airplane and make you less likely to overeat from boredom.
- Keep snacks accessible: Tuck your snacks into the outer pocket of your backpack or in an easy-to-reach spot so you don't have to unpack your entire bag when hunger strikes.
- Keep travel regulations in mind: You can't take large amounts of liquids on an airplane or fresh produce across international borders, so plan accordingly.
Best Snacks for Airport Travel
TSA-approved snacks are a priority when you're hopping on an airplane. You can pack some solid food items in your carry-on bags, but not liquids and gels. Leave the applesauce, puddings, and fruit cups at home. Some exceptions exist for baby and toddler food/drinks, such as breast milk, formula, and puree pouches.
For your next flight, consider portable snacks you can eat in tight spaces:
- Roasted chickpeas: Whip up a batch of roasted flavored chickpeas for a satisfying crunch. They're packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and easy to customize with your favorite seasonings.
- Fruit snacks: Naturally sweet and fiber-rich, dried apricots are great plane snacks for kids, especially combined with protein-filled cheese strings. Nature's Garden Probiotic FruiChias also do the trick. They're made from real blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry puree and crunchy chia seeds.
- Homemade energy bites: Try our recipe for Dried Cherry Almond Balls. With complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, this compact and nutritious snack satisfies the munchies mid-flight.
- Snack mix: Make your snack mix with bite-sized foods such as almonds, pretzels, and banana chips. Or tempt your taste buds with individual packets of Nature Garden's Keto Snack Mix, which features pecans, macadamia nuts, and dried cheddar puffs.
Best Snacks for Road Trips
Road trip snacks energize you from one quirky roadside attraction to the next. Plan ahead so you don't have to make stops for sugar and salt-laden snacks at the convenience store. If you have room in your vehicle, bring a cooler for plenty of healthy options.
Here are several snack ideas for your driving journey:
- Veggies and hummus: Pack individual portions of carrots, celery, cucumbers, and sweet pepper, along with a small container of hummus. Hummus packs well in a cooler bag and is less likely to drip on your car seats than a runny dressing.
- Nut bars: For a delicious homemade nut bar, combine trail mix with crispy cereal, brown rice syrup, and a splash of vanilla. You control the ingredients and sugar and can incorporate your favorite nuts and dried fruit. Our version uses hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, dried blueberries, cherries, and cranberries.
- Air-popped popcorn: This whole-grain snack is low in calories and high in fiber to help keep you full. Go easy on the butter and oil, and add some salt, cinnamon sugar, smoked paprika, or ranch seasoning for a flavorful twist.
- Banana bread: Banana bread is naturally moist and sweet and keeps its shape for snacking in the car. Mix in walnuts or hazelnuts for extra nutrition.
Best Snacks for Hiking Adventures
Nutrient-dense snacks are especially important if you're in the great outdoors, ensuring you're fueled every step of your hike. You need satisfying snacks that don't weigh down your bag, with protein and carbs to give you a boost.
Here are some trail-friendly foods to consider:
- Trail mix: A hiker's BFF, trail mix is bursting with good-for-you nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Try a handful before tackling the next steep climb. Nature's Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack Packs are individually portioned and offer three tasty options.
- No-bake energy balls: Our vegan date energy balls are made with walnuts, coconut, and dates for a quick sweet treat without added sugar. Light and compact, they pack easily into your bag.
- Fruit and vegetables: Foods with high water content can help you stay hydrated. Bring apple slices, celery sticks, cucumber rounds, easy-to-peel clementine oranges, and grapes for easy snacking.
- Sweet-coated bites: A healthy indulgence can motivate you to finish your hike. A few yogurt-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered almonds, or carob-covered raisins can put a spring in your step. Nature's Garden Probiotic Yoggies also fit the bill, with real blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries in a creamy yogurt coating.
The right travel snacks keep you fueled for every mile of your journey. Shop a wide range of nutritious and flavorful snacks from Nature’s Garden, including trail mix, nuts, and fruit snacks. Travel smarter and stay nourished, wherever you are!
