Best Healthy Snacks to Carry on the Go

Snacks are a good way to satisfy a craving in between meals and boost your energy level when you start to feel drained. But your choices matter. Here are the best healthy snacks to carry on the go.

If you’ve ever gotten home from work after a long day and found nothing but tortillas and shredded cheese in your freezer for dinner, you know that healthy eating often requires a bit of planning. But what about snacks? For most of us, snacking is a spontaneous action. We reach for whatever is closest to us when we feel that hunger pang.

However, having a game plan for those on-the-go moments is key to keeping snacks a part of your healthy diet.

Healthy Snacking Guidelines

So, what constitutes a healthy snack and a healthy snacking strategy?

A healthy snack…

• is eaten when you are truly hungry. Check in with yourself before reaching for the nearest snack food. Are you really hungry? Or are you bored? If you are really hungry, a snack is just fine.
• is not a full meal. Keep the calorie count somewhere between 150-250 calories.
• is well balanced. A good snack should contain protein, fiber and around 10 grams of fat. That combo of nutrients will fill you up and keep you full until your next real meal.
• is eaten mindfully. How many times have you grabbed a bag of Smartfood to snack on while messing on your computer only to look down and realize it’s all gone? Put it in a bowl, slow down and enjoy it.

The 6 BEST HEALTHY SNACKS TO CARRY ON THE GO

These are my top 10 go-to snacks when my stomach is growling around 3 pm. Nothing here requires cooking, and most of it can be pulled right off the grocery shelves.

Beef Jerky and a Granny Smith Apple

Beef jerky is typically lean and just packed with protein (9 grams per ounce). I like beef jerky, but you can find turkey, chicken, bison, and even salmon jerky at most grocery stores. Keep in mind that a lot of cheaper jerky is made with artificial ingredients and lots of sugar…so even the it’s a bit more pricey, opt for the high-quality stuff.

I typically grab an apple when I’m snacking on beef jerky because a) 1-2 ounces of beef jerky doesn’t constitute a big enough meal for me (what can I say)m and b) know that the fiber in the apple will fill me up.

Greek Yogurt with Walnuts and Berries

6 ounces of plain Greek yogurt topped with walnuts and berries is the perfect combo of protein, fat and fiber. Avoid buying flavored Greek yogurt or fruit on the bottom options, as they typically contain an overwhelming amount of sugar. You’ll get all of the sweetness you need from fresh berries!

Turkey Roll Ups and String Cheese

Remember string cheese from when you were a kid? I mean, WHY NOT. My taste buds have graduated from mozzarella sticks to jalapeno cheddar, but still…cheese.

Deli meat gets a bad wrap but if you stick with the in-house roasted meats, you can get away with it. Mass-produced deli meats can be loaded with sodium and preservatives that in-house roasted products don’t need.

Veggie Sticks and Hummus

Almost every grocery store you walk into these days has a shelf in the produce section with freshly cut veggies and small containers of hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas which have 4 grams of protein per 1/3 cup serving. Paired with fiber-packed veggies and boom, golden snacking opportunity.

Tuna Pouches

Call me slow on the uptake but did you know Bumble Bee makes tuna snack packs now? You can buy tuna fish salad and crackers right off the shelf. No brainer!

Cottage Cheese with Fruit and Nuts

Cottage cheese is packed with protein…14 grams in a half cup serving! You can find snack sized portions in the dairy section. Top it with some blueberries and sliced almonds for a protein, fiber, antioxidant bomb!

The bottom line: snacks can be a part of your healthy diet. They’re a good way to stay on track if you know you get hungry in between meals. But be smart about it! Even on the run, with no planning or prep to support you, stick to this list to make good decisions and healthy choices.