12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go
Healthy snacks are hard enough to pack as part of your normal routine, so when it comes to traveling, packing them can be more stressful than deciding between wedges or flats. You’ve heard it a thousand times: Be prepared, pack smart, snack smart, blah blah blah. But there’s more to life than boring snacks! I’ve done all the hard work for you and I’m sharing my favorite fresh and packable snacks. Of course, they’re also healthy! And, since I like to be prepared for pretty much everything … pack both the wedges and the flats. 12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go Popcorn You have choices here, friends. America’s favorite salty, crunchy snack is perfect for traveling when chosen properly. Boom Chicka Pop is non-GMO and comes in flavors you will heart, especially the sweet & salty combos like caramel & cheddar. I also love the extra virgin olive oil flavor from Popcorn Indiana’s Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn and this one is also non-GMO. While you’re doing all that crunchy, don’t forget that popcorn is loaded with antioxidants and has about 3 grams of fiber for 3 1/2 cups. Kind Bars There are million bars to choose from, but you really need to know what you’re doing here since not all bars are created equal. My go to? Kind! They are generally super clean and yuck free, and they have a bunch of new flavors! Dark chocolate almond and coconut, Black truffle almond and sea salt or Dark chocolate almond mint all get a hardy, yes, please from me and I’m sure you’ll agree. YumButter Take your nut butter game up with these individual packs of nut butters that are perfect for travel. You’ll consume a wide variety of nutrients and a whole lot of flavor because this nut butter includes almonds, organic chia seeds and hemp seeds, Goji berry powder, lucuma powder and Himalayan pink salt. Pack one of these with a piece of fruit, and you’re all set. GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks A salty snack to keep you away from those rest stop chips and pretzels. Aside from being super satisfying, they’ll give you 15% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C and a bit of calcium. And, they’re fun to eat. The Good Bean Dried Chickpeas Can you say protein, fiber, antioxidants and crunch? OK, don’t say it, just eat them. These power-packed snacks come in both sweet and savory flavors so all of your cravings are covered. Vital Choice Wild Salmon Jerky Strips Great for a take-along option, each pouch contains 6 ounces of wild sockeye and keta salmon packed with omega-3s. They’re flavored with mild organic herbs and spices, a pinch of sea salt, a hint of smoky flavor, and a touch of organic sugar. No gluten, nitrates, nitrites, or artificial preservatives. You don’t need to opt for processed meats full of nitrates anymore just because, well, it’s lunchtime and a ham sammie seamed easy. And chances are your diet could use more fish, right? Nature’s Path Qi’a Superfoods Hot Oatmeal Creamy Coconut Your travel breakfast doesn’t need to come in a miniature box with a cartoon character on it. These packets will be your new best travel companion as you take your oats eating to a whole new level. Do you add hemp and chia to your oats? No need here. It’s already covered. Boom. The Chia Co. Individual Chia Shots While I don’t usually recommend taking shots while driving, I’ll say a-OK to these chia packets, especially sprinkled in yogurt, which you can pick up at any rest stop. But texting while driving … NEVER. Crunchies Freeze-Dried Fruit Ranging from dried fruits to dried veggies, alike, these are another great option for that clearly necessary travel crunch. You’ll love how they melt in your mouth … way better than candy. Carrington Farms Flax Pax You know that traveling can wreak havoc on your bowels. You need fiber to keep you regular and these packs are great to sprinkle on your meals for a little extra. Sold in perfectly-portioned packages, they are great for any meal and no measuring required. Epic Epic Bar is a great way to get your protein in in bar form. For all you paleo and gluten-free peeps, this is a home run. Made with grass-fed buffalo, one bar will give you 11 grams of protein and most definitely keep you satisfied until bbq time. They’re pretty much epic. Pun intended. Dang Are you as coconut-obsessed as we are? Thought so. Add these chips to your travel bag. Stat. Munch, top, sprinkle … eat them any way you wish. Dang, they’re good. (Sorry, had to!) So the next time you travel, before you decide that vacation equals inevitable weight gain, pack along these healthy snacks to keep you on track wherever you may go. Whether you’re racking up the frequent flier miles or just a once-in-a-while vacationer, you have the means to snack smart at any and all destinations. Bon voyage! More reading: If you’re following a vegan diet, we have two great guides for vegan-friendly road trip snacks and road trip meals. Happy trails!
Top 8 Summer Travel Tips to Stay Healthy
Does a full-fledged war launch inside your brain every single time you get away on vacay (or even just a summer travel weekend)? You want your theme song playing in your head as you strut your stuff on the beach in your bikini and shades and turn a few heads (no shame in that!). You’ve worked hard for months, fueling with your new favorite chia, coconut, and Greek yogurt breakfast, hitting the 6:30 a.m. HIIT class and religiously drinking your water (with lemon, of course). But the minute your toes touch sand, you nod a big “hell yeah!” to the lobster roll on a buttered bun, forget about asking for salad instead of fries, and wash it all down with a cold one. This is the internal conflict we all face: Eat the healthiest foods available and feel (and look) good, or eat the most indulgent foods at our fingertips for the sake of “enjoying” our vacation. If you feel like I’ve read your diary, I haven’t. It’s human nature to prefer sweet and salty foods. And it’s not human nature to resist enjoyment and pleasure when you’re on vacation. Our brains are designed to do things that release happy hormones (eat sugar, make love, play). But we can’t forget the emotional, cultural, and experiential reasons as well: You’ve worked hard, and you want to reward yourself for your efforts. So what’s a vacationer to do? Think big pic, friends. Reward yourself by being good to YOU, and learn that there are indeed better rewards than a lobster roll. Summer Travel Tips to Stay Healthy 1. Eat well even if you didn’t just eat well. Even on vacay, treat every meal as an individual opportunity to eat well. If breakfast is easy because you like healthful breakfast foods and they are available, then don’t give in to the loaded pancakes and hash just because. Enjoy every bite of your poached eggs, whole grain toast, and fruit salad. If you overdo it with fries at lunch, don’t start dinner with three buttered rolls, because you think, “Well, the day is ruined.” It’s NOT. 2. Prepare and be, well, prepared. You have to pack your suitcase. You have to unpack your suitcase. Plan your groceries like you do your clothes and shoes. Pack snacks next to your bikini. Before you head out on your trip, advance order your groceries for delivery so you can unpack your arugula when you’re unpacking your flip flops. (Bonus: The empty space left from eating your snacks leaves perfect spots for your shopping treasures.) 3. Pack non-perishable snacks. I’ve shared some awesome healthy snacks on the go recently and if the kids are in tow, make sure you check out this advice, too. Trust me, they’ll make summer travel that much easier. 4. Make a makeshift meal. If your flight is delayed, you slept through breakfast, or you’re otherwise out of luck, you can make it until the next meal or snack by surviving on a makeshift meal of an oatmeal pouch, a nut butter packet, and a portion of dried fruit. 5. Make a survival plan. Have an “I will survive” clean meal you can get anywhere. Anywhere. Know that if you stop at a quickie mart you’ll grab a Greek yogurt, sleeve of nuts, and piece of fruit. Coffee joint only place to grab grub? Have a latte and a Kind bar. When all else fails, you can get a mixed green salad and grilled chicken at just about any restaurant. Knowing what you’ll get anywhere leaves you less tempted to make a bad choice when you’re hungry. 6. Get your sweat on. Let’s get real friends. You have more time to exercise on vacay, not less! Set your exercise goals before day one. Are you going to knock it out first thing the morning? Or go for a sunset run every day? Personally, I love a morning workout because it motivates me to stay inspired for the rest of the day. Vacation is also a great time to try something new, so don’t be afraid to add beach yoga or stand-up paddling into the mix. Warning: A bonus walk or tennis match after you’ve already done your scheduled workout may just make you smile. Give it a shot. 7. Consciously indulge. Plan decadent treats into your summer travel. Depending on how long your trip is, choose a day (or a few max) when you’ll give yourself permission to eat something just because it’s yummy. Look forward to a small ice cream or a homemade treat from the candy shop. You can and should enjoy the indulgences that matter most to you on vacation. Don’t deny yourself entirely or pick off of everyone else’s plates. This behavior can be mentally draining (“I can’t believe I ate that,” etc. etc.). Better to eat empowered and say, “I CAN have this ice cream.” 8. Feed your soul. Fuel yourself with experiences, exploration, enjoying your loved ones, and the adventure of your getaway. Take the focus off of the food and put it into your memories. (Featured Photo: Shutterstock)
Is the SUN making you fat?
I have a story for you, and it might sound familiar. Jane (no, not her real name), who is 5’6” and a comfortable 128 pound fit and successful 32 year old, was confused as to why her weight went up 7 pounds after a great weekend of eating well, hiking, beaching and amazing sleep while on vaca with her friends. Her food journal was “clean” as could be with no excessive added salt or sodium. She drank a ton of water and consumed no alcohol. Jane was stress free and slept like a babe. It seemed like a conundrum until she told me that she fell asleep on the beach and got a sunburn on her back. Aha! When questioned, she said she did feel a little puffy under her skin . . .not just on her back, but also in her wrists and ankles. Our bodies handle sunburns just as they handle any type of burn! Sunburns cause an inflammatory response, due to basically cooking your skin! Your bod holds on to fluid to help you heal. Yep, add sunburn to causes of water retention. The prescription for all that water retention? Drink a ton of water and decaffeinated herbal tea (at least enough so that your pee is clear and odorless) Avoid salt, sodium and processed foods Avoid sugar Elevate your feet if your ankles are swollen Exercise Choose foods that are good sources of B6 (grass fed meat and brown rice) Calcium and vitamin D are helpful too (found in dairy and dairy alternatives, collard greens and kale) See a doc if you are not recovering in a couple of days, or if the burn blisters Don’t stress and abandon your health goals – feel empowered knowing what is going on! By the way, warm weather makes our bodies a little less efficient at getting rid of excess water, so even if you don’t get a burn, your weight loss may still be somewhat slower in the summer. Follow the same prescription as above to literally flush the extra water out of you.
