Healthy grab and go snacks can be a game-changer! These snacks give you that necessary dose of energy and make you feel great! Whether you are a busy professional, a mom needing a healthy quick snack while waiting for your kids to finish sports practice, or a student, such snacks can uplift your day. Healthy grab and go snacks are easy to prepare and carry. They give your body fuel when your body’s low on energy and improve your mood. Healthy snacks are also known to improve and regulate digestion. They help encourage weight loss by squashing hunger pangs between meals and also keep you from overindulging during main meals.
Let’s discuss some great healthy grab and go snacks below that you can easily include in your day.
Jerky
Made from Chicken, beef, or turkey, jerky is packed with protein. You can always buy a bag of jerky and carry it with you in your snack bag or handbag. It’s convenient to carry and won’t take up a lot of space. However, be sure to pick a low sodium and sugar variety of jerky to be a healthy option. A great thing about jerky is that, unlike other protein sources, jerky does not have to be stored in the fridge. Not only does jerky taste great, but it is also low in calories and fat.
Chips and Salsa
Looking for a healthier option to replace potato chips? Try snacking on Tortilla chips and a few tablespoons of salsa. Tortilla chips have lesser saturated fats than potato chips and more calcium. If eaten in moderation, they do count as a healthier snack option. When choosing the salsa, try to go for one that contains black beans. This way, you will be adding some more protein into your diet. You can also replace tortilla chips with other variations such as banana chips or crispy vegetables.
Trail Mix
Homemade trail mix is an excellent healthy snack option. It’s dry and easy to store in a small airtight container. You can choose a variety of high-protein nuts, such as almonds and pistachios, for your trail mix. Add dried fruits of your choice, such as raisins or dried apricots, and seeds such as pumpkin seeds. A dried fruit and nut trail mix is usually very high in calories, so do remember not to eat more than a handful at a time.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is an excellent high protein snack and is also extremely filling. It is a great source of calcium, making it beneficial for bone health. You can easily prepare a Greek yogurt parfait by layering Greek yogurt, granola, and berries. However, be careful with how much granola you are using. Granola is usually high in calories and can easily be overeaten. Use one to two tablespoons of granola when preparing the snack. You can also pair Greek yogurt with bananas and walnuts, apple and cinnamon, and almond butter and bananas.
Banana Smoothie
A Banana smoothie is easy to make and can be carried in your hot and cool bottle. Prepare your banana smoothie with ripe bananas, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes. The ice cubes will help thicken the smoothie. This smoothie is great after a workout as it helps you cool down. You can also have it as an after-lunch snack, around 4 pm, when you need a dose of energy.
Peanut Butter Snacks
You can make plenty of snacks with peanut butter. Not only is peanut butter delicious but also nutritious and filling. Peanut butter can also help promote feelings of fullness when consumed in between meals. You can spread 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter on celery sticks to create a delicious snack. Peanut butter stuffed dates are also a great idea. To prepare peanut butter stuffed dates, you have to pit one large Medjool date and stuff it with a teaspoon of peanut butter. You can also replace the peanut butter with any other butter you like, such as cashew or almond butter. Pairing peanut butter with apples and cinnamon is also a great combination.
Hard-Boiled Egg
Some might think hard-boiled eggs are boring, but they are one of the best healthy grab and go snacks. One hard-boiled egg contains 6 grams of protein, perfect for adults who want to include more protein in their diet. Sprinkle your hard-boiled egg with salt or paprika to add flavor. Peel your hard-boiled egg and then store it in your snack box so you can easily reach for it when hungry.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate can make a healthy snack. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and linked to better mental health. Dark chocolate is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation levels in the body. When consuming dark chocolate, do so in moderation as it does contain fat. Go for 1-2 pieces per serving instead of the entire bar. You can also pair dark chocolate with other healthy items such as almonds, a clementine, or some pomegranate. When buying dark chocolate, go for varieties that have low sugar and high cocoa ratio.
Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas make an excellent grab and go snack. Not only are they nutritious but also easy to store and carry. If you are in the mood for something crunchy and filling, this is the perfect option. You can create roasted chickpeas with various spices to add a little kick to your snack. You can also prepare them sweet for example, with maple syrup and cinnamon.
Our Final Thoughts
Healthy grab and go snacks are a must. These snacks are great at powering our body energy while keeping the calorie count low. If you want to eat healthily, it’s imperative to plan out your daily meals and snacks. If you don’t, you will get hungry and eat processed high, calorie snacks packed with sugar, such as chocolate bars, candy, and potato chips. When preparing snacks, it’s important to make things that are quick to prepare and easy to carry. This is possible with the right planning and initiative.
