I'm a snacker, especially when I'm out all day, and it's surprisingly hard to find healthy, quick foods that are also inexpensive! So here are my favorite portable snacks:
1) Fresh fruits and vegetables - apples, bananas, grapes, and pears aren't too messy and are easy to pack. So are unsweetened applesauce cups. Pre-cut carrot sticks, celery, and snap peas can be packed in a plastic container.
2) Almonds - loaded with healthy fats and protein, but also calories, so it's best to keep a controlled portion in a small container so you don't go overboard.
3) Trail mix - I make my own with almonds, dried fruit, sometimes dark chocolate chips, and whatever else I find in my cupboard! Or pick up a bag from Trader Joe's awesome selection of trail mixes.
4) Whole grain pretzels and crackers
5) Nonfat/lowfat yogurt - Plain yogurt that you sweeten yourself is best, but natural food stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc) will have healthy sweetened yogurts without all the junk.
6) Bars - even though it's somewhat of a processed food, it's super cheap and can be a healthy alternative to other quick foods. My favorite is a box of Trader Joe's "Sweet, Savory & Tart Trail Mix Bar" and the "Mojo" bar by Clif. They both use organic brown rice syrup and whole ingredients that you can actually see with your eyes! (Yes, I said see with your eyes) I also like Kashi's "TLC" granola bars.
Things to look out for:
- Check out the nutrition facts and ingredients list. Look for one with 200 calories or less and a legible ingredients list. Also watch the sugar and fat content.
- Typically the kinds dipped in "chocolate" and "yogurt" are made with heavily processed coatings, not the real thing. Stay away.
- Always check the back for fishy ingredients!
7) String cheese or cheese wedges - already comes portion-controlled! You could pair this with the crackers or fruit.
Share with us your favorite to-go snack ideas!
- Organic Lisa
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4 comments:
Helpful, fantastic, magical blog! Added to the blogroll :)
OMG, LISA thanx for supporting the Trader Joe's Trex Mixes!!! they are the BEST! i feel like this blog post was for me! j/k. talk about being a snacker, i also am. I tend to be nibbling away like a little squirrel. but I reccoment the Trex MIX series at TJs. ALmonds are like my savior in life both for protein and some iron and the good monosaturated fat. Go for the Unsalted kind ALWAYS. i like to peel some pistachios and walnuts and mix them in my trail mix also. I keep in mind that snacks should be about 200 calories per serving and i guess thats a good amount to keep your energy up.
my snack idea:
1)Slice up a banana length-wise and put peanut butter and sandwich it! wrap it and put it in the freezer a bit(few hours) and its like a treat but not all too unhealthy.
2)broccolis and mini tomatos. =)
3)grind up black sesame(or sesame - KINAKO) powder and top your yogurt. Sometimes i do like a milk beverage and take it with me in a bottle.
maaan, i can go on and on but i realize i dont really eat REAL food, i think i can live off nuts and dried fruits. LOL they dont go bad so i am all for the dried stuff. geez, but then again, Dried Mangos have more nutients infused and all packed inside...? but i love dried mangos - got some good iron.
my favourite snacks are a hard boiled egg, cheese wedges (Because i can't find good cheese string here), or yogurt. unfortunately no nuts for me :(
don't worry Janelle, I will invent some genetically modified nuts and fruits that you're not allergic to. :)
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