12 Healthy Travel Snacks
Airport food is notoriously bad, of course, but convenience-store road-trip snacks might take the cake: chips, candy bars, Slurpees. Before you head out for the long weekend (you did remember to take Friday off, right?), spend a few minutes gathering supplies for a much healthier—and happier—on-the-road menu.
Healthy High-Protein Granola
via Be Well Philly
Our very own granola recipe is a perfect take-with-you snack. There’s half a cup in a 200-calorie serving, so divide them up in separate containers for a no-brainer, perfectly proportioned snack.
Chili-Lime Popcorn
via Whole Living
Give your potato-chip habit the boot for good. This popcorn is much lower in calories, with all the crunch and saltiness you crave.
Spicy Watermelon and Pistachios
vía Real Simple
Have you ever had a fruit cup at the airport? This one’s so much better. (If you’re wondering, the spice comes from cayenne pepper. Interesting!)
No-Bake Energy Bites
via Gimme Some Oven
Who doesn’t need an energy jolt when traveling? These little balls of energy will wake you up while filling you up. Note: must love coconut.
Three-Seed Crackers
via {Never} Homemaker
Say goodbye to those sleeves of Ritz crackers you’ve been known to put away in less than 30 minutes. Here’s an easy recipe for making your own grab-and-go crackers with seeds galore.
Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
via Chow.com
It is a well-documented fact that I love chickpeas. Like the popcorn above, these crunchy, salty snacks will satisfy your potato-chip craving with less fat and waaaaay more protein.
Homemade Granola Bars
via FitDay
All the heartiness of our granola recipe above, in an easy-to-tote bar.
Beet Chips
via Martha Stewart
Oven-baked, garden-fresh goodness. You can experiment with different seasonings for chips you’ll never, ever get bored of.
Spicy Beef Jerky
via Clean Eating
For the Paleo travelers amongst us.
Salad in a Jar
via Simple Bites
This smart salad-layering method is genius for travelers. You get all the nutritious goodness of your favorite salads without the wilting/sliminess of made-ahead versions. Oh, and it looks pretty, too!
Oatmeal Cookie Muffins
via Be Well Philly
There’s nothing easier than throwing a muffin in a baggie and heading out the door. Which is why these oatmeal muffins are also the perfect travel snack.
Bagel Thin Sandwich
vía Real Mom Kitchen
For all you sandwich fiends, this one will hit the right notes without all the mayo-laden grossness of the shrink-wrapped airport and gas station versions.
Photo: Shutterstock