A Low-Saturated Fat Meat Snack
New Primal Rotisserie Chicken Sticks
Many beef-based meat snacks are high in saturated fat, which can increase your risk of inflammatory diseases and heart disease, so I typically recommend poultry-based options as an alternative. New Primal Rotisserie Chicken Sticks contain just 0.5 g of saturated fat per 1-oz serving, making them a more heart-healthy option (although keep in mind they still contain 450 milligrams [mg] of sodium). Each stick provides 10 g of protein from chicken raised without added hormones or antibiotics, and contains no added sugar.
An Affordable, Tasty Protein Shake
Premier Protein Shake
Premier Protein shakes have been a staple in my home for years. Each chocolate-flavored version contains 30 grams (g) of protein from milk protein concentrate, 24 vitamins and minerals, 2 g of fiber, and no added sugar. There are a dozen flavors to choose from (my personal favorite is Caramel, which you can mix with a shot of espresso to create a lower-sugar coffee drink). They're also pretty affordable for protein shakes, and if you can buy a case at Costco, for example, they work out to about $2 per shake.
A Protein Bar That Tastes Like Dessert
Barebells Protein Bars
If you've ever tried a protein bar and been let down by its dry, chalky texture and artificial taste, Barebells Protein Bars will be a pleasant surprise. In over 20 delicious flavors, like Cookies & Cream and Birthday Cake, these protein bars consistently get rave reviews, with people appreciating their soft texture and dessert-like flavor. Each bar contains 20 g of protein from a milk protein blend, 3 g of fiber, and no added sugars. However, they do contain 5 g of sugar alcohols (from maltitol), so keep that in mind if sugar alcohols cause digestive issues for you.
A Crunchy, Savory Legume Snack
Biena Roasted Chickpea Snacks
If you're looking for a travel snack with both protein and fiber, look no further than Biena Roasted Chickpea Snacks. These travel-friendly snacks are "a crunchy, flavorful snack packed with plant-based protein and fiber, keeping kids satisfied during flights," says Manaker, adding that they offer a more nutrient-dense alternative to traditional chips. And if you're navigating dietary restrictions, these roasted chickpeas are vegan, grain-free, and gluten-free, making them a versatile snack for a variety of dietary needs.
Snackable Cheddar Cheese
Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese Snack Portions
Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese Snack Portions are the perfect grab-and-go size. Each individually wrapped ¾-ounce (oz) portion contains 5 g of protein and, when paired with whole wheat crackers and baby carrots, makes a balanced snack that travelers of any age can enjoy. To keep them cool, I recommend packing them in an insulated bag with a small ice pack, which you can take through airport security (as long as the ice pack is frozen).
A Low-Sodium Almond That Delivers on Flavor
Blue Diamond Almonds Lightly Salted
Almonds are one of my go-to travel snacks thanks to their high content of healthy monounsaturated fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research shows that eating almonds regularly can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and support a healthy gut microbiome.
Blue Diamond Almonds Light Salted snack packs have just three ingredients: almonds, sunflower oil, and sea salt. Each 0.6-oz bag has just 25 mg of sodium, making them a good option for people who need to limit their salt intake. They also have 4 g of protein and 2 g of fiber per bag, while their healthy fat content may help keep you fuller for longer.
Dried Fruit with No Added Sugar
Solely Organic Dried Fruit Mango Strips
Many dried fruit products contain added sugar, which is why Manaker recommends Soley Organic Dried Fruit Mango Strips. "Solely Organic Mango Strips are made from 100% organic mango with no added sugar or preservatives," she says. She adds that these chewy fruit strips are naturally sweet and packed with vitamins, including vitamin C, to support kids' immune systems during travel. And because they're compact and mess-free, they're ideal for snacking on the go.
Creamy Almond Butter Without Added Salt or Sugar
Spread the Love Unsalted Almond Butter Single-Serve Packets
Spread the Love Unsalted Almond Butter comes in the perfect travel-sized snack packs to fuel busy travel days. They're vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, salt-free, Kosher, non-GMO, made without palm oil or artificial additives, and produced in a peanut-free facility, so they're suitable for a wide variety of dietary needs. Pair them with whole wheat crackers or a banana for a balanced snack that's TSA-friendly and easy to pack (just know that the TSA considers peanut butter a liquid, so be sure to follow the 3-1-1 rule).
Nut Butter Bites for Easy Snacking
Sweet Nothings Organic Nut Butter Bites
Sweet Nothings Organic Nut Butter Bites are made with wholesome ingredients such as dates, peanut butter, oats, ground flaxseed, cacao, and sea salt. Each two-bite serving has 4 g of fiber and 5 g of protein, and while it contains 15 g of sugar, that sweetness comes from dates rather than refined sugar. This is a definite pro, as dates contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can help relieve constipation (which tends to be more common when people travel due to reduced fiber and fluid intake along with extended periods of sitting). Dates also naturally contain small amounts of sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that acts as a mild laxative.
Trail Mix to Keep You Going
Healthy Earth Snacks
Trail mix is one of the most popular travel snacks, and with good reason. By combining energy from the natural sugars in dried fruit with the staying power of protein and healthy fats from nuts and seeds, they're a well-balanced, portable snack that you can rely on to give you a boost. Healthy Earth Snacks contain no added sugar and come in three flavors to help combat flavor fatigue, and their grab-and-go snack packs are easy to carry in a purse or backpack.
Smoothie Melts for Junior Travelers
Amara Organic Smoothie Melts
If you're traveling with little ones, Manaker recommends Amara Organic Smoothie Melts. "These are a great option because they’re free from artificial colors, flavors, and added sugar," she explains. She adds that they’re allergy-friendly and melt in the mouth, helping minimize choking hazards. They come in a variety of different flavors, including Mighty Sweet Greens, Mango Carrots, Mixed Red Berries, and Carrot Raspberry, which can help keep things interesting and prevent food boredom.
Better-for-You, Buttery-Flavor Popcorn
LesserEvil Himalayan Gold Salt Organic Popcorn
Many people don't realize that popcorn is considered a whole grain, so it often gets overlooked when choosing whole-grain snacks. LesserEvil Himalayan Gold Salt Organic Popcorn comes in travel-ready 4.6-oz bags with 4 g of fiber per 3-cup serving. While they do contain saturated fat, it's from organic coconut oil, which some research suggests may be less detrimental to heart health than saturated fat from other sources, thanks to its high content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and polyphenols. That said, if you have risk factors associated with heart disease, I usually recommend sticking to lower-saturated-fat options, such as extra-virgin olive oil, which has stronger evidence of reducing heart disease risk.
A Classic Whole Wheat Cracker
Triscuit Original Whole Grain Wheat Crackers
Most crackers are packed with refined ingredients and contain minimal fiber, but Triscuit Original Whole Grain Wheat Crackers contain just three ingredients: whole grain wheat, canola oil, and sea salt. Because the primary ingredient is whole wheat, which is shredded rather than ground into a powder, the bran and germ remain intact. This makes them a higher-fiber option (each serving contains 3 g of fiber), which can be paired with cheese or nut butter for a filling snack. They're also affordable and widely available, and their dense structure makes them less likely to crumble during travel.
A Classic Snack That's Gluten-Free
Quinn Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Sticks
Pretzels are a classic snack, but being wheat-based makes them a no-go for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Quinn Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Sticks solve that problem by using whole-grain sorghum and brown rice flour instead of wheat, making them a great alternative for people who need to avoid gluten or those looking for a whole grain alternative. Even better, they're filled with creamy peanut butter, which adds protein and healthy fats to help keep you satisfied longer than regular pretzels.
A Water Bottle That Cleans Itself and Tracks Hydration
LARQ PureVis 2 Water Bottle
Let's face it: the last thing you're thinking of doing when you travel is washing your water bottle. And I don't know about you, but my fluid intake drops a lot when I travel. While the LARQ PureVis 2 Self-Cleaning Water Bottle is pricey, its wealth of features makes it worth the cost. It uses UV technology to automatically clean your water bottle (it runs every 2 hours, but you can also trigger it by pressing the cap button). This version of the water bottle also has a filter straw to remove chemicals like chlorine and PFOA/PFOS. Its insulated stainless steel construction keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, and the integrated hydration tracking (which connects to its free app) helps you stay on top of your water intake.
A Lunch Bag to Keep Your Snacks Fresh
PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
If you're traveling with snacks that need to be kept cold, the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag will keep them fresh for hours. Its built-in freezable gel helps minimize what you need to bring on vacation, and its zippered closure keeps everything secure. While I like the lunch bags for holding a variety of snacks, they also have a smaller Freezable Snack Box, which is ideal for shorter trips.
The Ultimate Adventure Companion
Melii Snackle Boxes
If you're looking for snack containers with individual compartments for storing a variety of different snacks, you can't go wrong with Melii Snackle Boxes. I own these in a variety of different sizes, and they're perfect for keeping your snacks organized. While the larger containers are a great option for road trips, the smaller containers are the perfect size for carrying in a travel backpack or purse.
Eco-Friendly Silicone Snack Bags
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bags
Individual storage bags for snacks like trail mix and pre-chopped vegetables are convenient, but traditional plastic bags aren't the best option if you're trying to make sustainable choices. I've tried a lot of reusable bags, but Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bags are by far the best. Yes, they're more expensive than some of the generic brands, but they have a strong, leak-free seal and are made from high-quality, food-grade silicone. They're also easy to clean either by hand or in the dishwasher, and they come in a variety of different sizes and colors.
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