25 Best Healthy Snacks to Pack For a Road Trip
Chocolate and peanut butter, apples and brie, tequila and lime. Do you know another pair you're subconsciously obsessed with? Snacking and boredom. It's common knowledge when we're bored, we find the closest snack and binge, and that tends to happen when you're on a road trip. Somehow our stomachs seem to get hungrier during a long car ride and there's nothing worse than the small space getting stunk up by hard boiled eggs or the feelings of indulging in too many wasted calories going after pretzels and gummies.
After figuring out the worst healthy snacks for weight loss, we knew there had to be a way to pack your car full of healthy road trip alternatives, filled with protein, fiber, respected ingredients, and limited trash. Forget the protein bars at the gas station and the sugar-coated fruit. Take a peek at these options, most readily available online that way you can map out your snacks, the same way you do with your upcoming trip.
You'll avoid unwanted calories. You'll avoid greasy highway stops. And you'll be happier with yourself when you get to the final destination, still feeling bikini ready.
Single-serve Nuts
Karma Nuts, Lime Twist
Nuts can get pretty boring when you're constantly noshing. Try and spice things up with Karma Nuts. These wrapped cashews come in individual packs so you don't go overboard (and so each person in the car can have their own). Have your pick of sweet, spicy, and toasty flavors from Karma (we're partial to the Lime Twist). Cashews are great sources of magnesium, calcium, and biotin—one of the nutrients known to make hair shiny and strong. But the real winner here is that these nuts retain their natural skins—which means they have more fiber than the cashews you typically snack on.
Shelf-Stable Hummus
Lilly's Original Single-Serve, Shelf-Stable Hummus
Loaded with protein from chickpeas, mini hummus cups are the way to go when needing a little pick me up or even lunch on the go. Dip with pretzels or high fiber crackers and make mini-sandwiches. These single-serve dips come in different varieties such as roasted red pepper, edamame hummus, and original. High in fiber, high in protein, and low carb, this hummus is a must-try and a nice addition to the road trip goodies.
Jerky Sticks
Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Stick
Better than your typical chemical-filled protein bar, CHOMPS are filled with grass-fed and finished beef—which is better for the cows (the sticks all earn the "Certified Humane" label) and better for you. Studies have shown that grass-fed beef tends to be higher in good-for-you fats like omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid—and lower in bad-for-you fats than their conventional counterparts. Flavors range from jalapeno turkey, to cranberry habanero beef, to salt and pepper venison. Compared to its jerky competitors sold at the gas station along your way, this alternative is hunger quenching, and yet has much less fat, sodium, and, most importantly, preservatives like nitrates and nitrites. Every product is Whole30 and Paleo approved as well as gluten-free.
Peanut Butter Packs
Justin's Squeeze Pack, Classic Peanut Butter
Filled with protein, fiber, and only natural ingredients this squeeze pack is a great pick me up. Snag a piece of fruit to go with it, or if you're a huge peanut butter lover, eat it plain!
ZENB's Red Bell Pepper Veggie Bites
Veggies won't last too long on your road trip, so instead of bringing a few dozen ice packs, why not grab a bag of ZENB? ZENB's Veggie Bites are bite-sized, chewy snacks that offer a full cup of vegetables in each resealable pouch (so you can save some for later if necessary).
Protein Bars
ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Bar, Chocolate Mint
If you need a bar that's closer to a meal replacement bar, ALOHA has you covered. The 14 grams of protein is sure to satisfy and nourish your body—even if you aren't working out. This bar is particularly suitable for car rides when you aren't expending much energy, and thus don't need more than the 5 grams of sugar this features.
Nut Bars
KIND Minis
If you need to quell your hunger—fast—with a quick bite, keep this KIND minis stocked in your car. For only 100 calories, you get 7 grams of healthy fats and 4 grams of satiating protein that will zap those hunger pangs in under a minute.
Single-Serve Popcorn Bags
SkinnyPop Popcorn Original
Sometimes all you need is a crunch. For a "guilt free" munch try this brand, in any of their flavors. All low-cal, high fiber, and pre-popped, Skinnypop leaves you with no need for a microwave, chemicals, or a reason to keep track of your consumption. Looking to spice it up a bit? Flavors like white cheddar and kettle hold to this impressive brand's standards too.
Crunchy Broad Beans
Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans Sea Salt
Since broad beans are packed with protein, this snack will get you through that long trip! This flavorful 100-calorie bean snack comes in seven other flavors, including Sweet Cinnamon and Spicy Wasabi, for whatever flavor you crave on the road.
Cheese Packs
Babybel Original Cheese Wheels
Your favorite post-elementary school snack should make its way back into your shopping cart. Cheese bars, rounds, or sticks—whatever shape you choose of the well-portioned treats are loaded with calcium, protein, and flavor. Pair with one of our favorite crackers, like Mary's, or simply nibble on the go.
Roasted Chickpeas
Biena Chickpea Snacks, Rockin' Ranch
When you're starting to get stressed out and continue to hear "are we there yet?!?" it's time to crack out the chickpeas. These are packed with vitamin B6, a compound known to help the brain produce serotonin and dopamine to block your anxious thoughts and bring on happiness. (Perfect for a cramped car, don't you think?) And with Biena Chickpea Snacks, all you have to do is pop them in your mouth to get an explosion of fiber and flavor, which is perfect for when the drive gets a little bumpy. With a light layer of seasoning, in your individual pack, the company is sure to not let you over do it.
Pitted Olives
Oloves Olives Lemon and Rosemary
Within minutes of trying these at the airport, I was on my phone figuring out where I could get them at home. Split into the perfect proportions, so you can't eat too many, these olive packs are best for beating your hunger and boosting heart health. Flavors like Lemon & Rosemary, or Chili & Garlic beat salty chips in my book every time.
Fruit Strips
Pure Organic Wildberry AppleFruit and Veggie Strips
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It tastes like a fruit roll-up, but with ⅔ servings of veggies in each bar and only made with natural ingredients. This healthier version of the beloved childhood treat is perfect for when you're craving something sweet. Amazingly, there are only 50 calories in every bar.
Fruit Chips
Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Cinnamon Chips
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When you're picking out snacks, it's imperative to read the ingredient list. You never want to see words you don't recognize or a very long list, so that's why Bare Baked Crunch Apple Cinnamon Chips are a dream come true. The ingredients list reads "apples, cinnamon." Yup, that's it. Unlike its competitors, there are no added caloric ingredients like vegetable oil, corn syrup, and dded sugars. Crunchy, sweet, and not so dangerously addicting to munch on during a drive.
Roasted Beans
Seapoint Farm's Dry Roasted Edamame
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When you're sick of nuts, but want crunch that's worth the bang for its buck, go for dried edamame. Available in these easy to grab and go packs, these are filled with plenty of plant-based filling protein and who doesn't love a good high protein snack?
Bean Chips
Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps
The bizarre cravings of road trip boredom are at an all-time high you're dreaming of chips, and Caesar salad, and all things you probably should steer clear of. But with this cheesy, chip-like snack, your cravings will be put to rest and there's no additional need to hit the treadmill. Made from only natural ingredients, this snack offers a decent amount of fiber and a serving of vegetables. We even think your picky eaters will like these vegetable-based chips, too.
Granola Bites
Nourish Chewy Chocolate Banana Granola Bites
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NBC's Today Show nutritionist, Joy Bauer, knew she was going to hit a home run when she developed her line of delicious, dietitian-approved snacks. With five different granola bite flavors, it was hard for us to choose just one. As each flavor is low calorie and contains reasonable levels of digestion-slowing healthy fats, fiber, and protein to balance the energizing carbs, you simply cannot go wrong with whichever nutrient-dense bites you buy.
Carrot Sticks
Rhythm Superfoods Carrot Sticks, Ranch
That irresistible ranch flavor can now be all over your carrots without the creamy fattening dressing. These dehydrated, organic carrot sticks pack a ton of fiber and crunch and since they don't need to be refrigerated like a typical carrots-and-dip snack has to be, it makes them the ideal choice for a road trip.
Dark Chocolate
barkTHINS Dark Chocolate Almond with Sea Salt
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You're in the final stretch—let that sweet tooth go wild. With barkTHINS, you're only consuming 7 ingredients. Each resealable bag comes with over three servings and plenty of healthy fats from the cocoa butter and almonds. These bites are the perfect balance of bitter dark chocolate that still leave room for a dose of energizing sweetness without exposing you to major sugar overkill, as long as you don't indulge in the entire bag in one sitting!
Cheese Crisps
Whisps Cheddar Bacon BBQ Cheese Crisps
Cheese isn't exactly the type of snack you want sitting out during a long road trip, which is why these cheese crisps are the perfect alternative. made from 100 percent cheese, these Whisps Cheddar Bacon BBQ Cheese Crisps are the perfect cheesy snack while you blast all those cheesy love songs on the stereo.
Seaweed Snacks
gimMe Organic Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snacks
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What if we told you, you could eat the whole bag of these healthy chips during your car ride and not feel guilty about it? gimMe Organic Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snacks serve a blast of vitamins, protein, and flavor for just 25 calories per serving. Loaded with micronutrients like bone-strengthening iron, immune-boosting vitamin C, and happiness-providing magnesium, there's no reason to go for chipotle flavored corn chips or Flaming Hot Cheetos when you can get similar flavors and tons of benefits from these seaweed snacks.
Sparkling Water
Spindrift Sparkling Water
And of course, after all that noshing, you'll need something to sip on. Before heading to a drive-thru for some soda, try Spindrift seltzer! It's flavored only with real fruit entirely sourced from the U.S. So fill up your car and save the rest for your destination—you'll be glad you brought them along.
Healthy Soda
OLIPOP Root Beer
If you do want to stick to the soda route, don't bother walking into the gas station store when you need to fill up. Bring along a few cans of OLIPOP. Not only does this healthy soda have a fraction of the sugar as your typical root beer (you'll save yourself from guzzling down a staggering 42 grams of the sweet stuff), but it also has a third of your day's recommended intake of dietary fiber. As a bonus, all 9 of those grams of fiber are prebiotic fiber: a class of fiber that feeds the beneficial probiotics in your gut, helping to heal your gut microbiome.
Fresh Apple
Red, green, yellow, or a mix of all three. Our Grandmothers were on to something when they told us to eat "an apple a day." Filled with quercetin—which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and helps prevent heart disease—the crunch of an apple pushes the crunch of any chip way out of the door. Snacking on nature's candy will help prevent blood sugar spikes, and fill your body with fiber to keep those stomach rumbles at bay.
Flax Crackers
Mary's Gone Crackers, Herb
Loaded with quinoa, sesame seeds, brown rice, and flax, these crunchy bites provide the perfect amount of salty goodness, while also increasing your metabolism and energy. Ready to be paired with a topping or enjoyed alone—Mary's Gone Crackers are a game-changer, especially since they're gluten-free.
