Originally published in The Chalkboard Magazine
When it comes to healthy snack ideas, the key is to focus on snacks made from nutrient-dense, real, whole foods. They shouldn’t be loaded with sugar. Go for ones that have protein, healthy fat and fiber in them. This will help satiate you, stabilize your blood sugar and give you the sustained energy that you need on a summer adventure.
SNACKS TO AVOID
When you’re planning what to bring on a summer adventure, avoid falling into the trap of buying snacks that are marketed as healthy but aren’t, such as snacks that are filled with artificial ingredients but labeled as “only 100 calories.” If something has fake ingredients in it, it will cause inflammation and cravings regardless of its calorie count, so steer clear of it. Other sneaky snacks to avoid include organic, gluten-free and vegan snacks like cookies and pretzels that are made from refined carbohydrates or filled with sugar. Even if organic, gluten-free and vegan, these snacks are still devoid of nutrients and will still spike your blood sugar. Finally, watch out for snack bars that might look healthy but are filled with sweeteners and unrecognizable ingredients.
TRICKS TO TRANSPORT
I recommend that you purchase non-toxic, durable storage containers so that you can pack your snacks to go. I love the non-toxic, BPA-free, phthalate-free, lead-free, leak-resistant storage containers from U Konserve. You should also bring a cooler for snacks that have to be kept on ice. Regular coolers can be difficult to transport on outdoor excursions, so consider getting a portable backpack cooler instead! Because they’re easy to carry and keep food cold, you’ll have lots of snack options, even if you’re off on a fun adventure!
WHAT TO PACK
I also recommend having some easy-to-make, delicious snack ideas on hand so that when the time comes to plan your excursions, you know exactly what to bring. With that in mind, here are three simple, nutrient-rich healthy snack ideas for all of your summer expeditions…
