Healthy Snacks: Delicious and Nutritious Options for On-the-Go

Eating healthy often sounds simpler than it is, but that’s often because we make it harder than it has to be. Instead of reaching for that bag of chips on your way out, why not think ahead and opt for something with a little more nutritional value? Whether you’re trying to improve your work-life balance by planning your meals ahead of time or just trying to plan some fun treats to keep hunger at bay until you get home from work and have time for your meal-kit plan, there are plenty of snacks out there that offer nutrients and deliciousness. Read below for some delicious and nutritious healthy snacks for those on the go.

Smoothie bowls

Smoothie bowls are a nutritious way to start your day. Start by freezing some of your favorite fruits and even some leafy greens. Blend them with yogurt or a splash of milk or nut milk, but not too much because you want the texture to be thick. After you’ve got your base blended, add some toppings. Granola can help you feel fuller until lunchtime, but why stop there? Add superfoods like goji berries, chia seeds, and coconut flakes to get extra nutrients.

To make the most out of your smoothie bowl, you need an array of toppings to maximize the nutrition and help keep hunger at bay until your next meal. You also want the texture of your base to be thick enough to scoop easily without having to drink it like soup. If you’re constantly on the go, smoothie bowls are the perfect treat that you can prep ahead of time, so all you need to do is blend everything up.

Banana nut bread

Banana nut bread is the perfect on-the-go snack or breakfast food, and you likely have most of the ingredients at home already. The key to amazing banana bread is very ripe bananas, so instead of throwing bananas that are too ripe to eat, give them a new life with banana bread.

For banana nut bread, you’ll need your favorite nuts (we prefer walnuts, which are great for your heart), plus flour, butter, sugar, Greek yogurt, eggs, and salt. If you want to make it an even sweeter treat, fold in some chocolate baking chips after mixing your ingredients.

DIY popsicles

If you love your frozen treats after a long day, try making some popsicles at home. Get some popsicle molds to hold your liquid while you freeze them. All you’ll need is your favorite fruit, sugar, honey, or agave, a fluid (you can use water or another beverage of your choice), and some lemon or lime juice if you want them tart.

To make popsicles, blend up your fruit using a food processor. If you’re finding it difficult to blend, add a little of your liquid to soften things up. Next, add your sweetener and acid, if using, and continue to mix. After blending everything, pour your mixture into your cups and freeze.

Making popsicles at home allows you to experiment with different flavors and save money. The bonus is that popsicles are the perfect sweet treat to take on the go.

Hummus is a nutritious dip that can encourage you to eat more vegetables. Consider packing your hummus into cups and bagging cut-up veggies to take on the go. If you’ve never made homemade hummus, you’re missing out on this delicious Middle Eastern dip. It’s also not as difficult as you may think. You need chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, fresh lemon juice, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper, and water to make your hummus.

Once you have your ingredients, bust out a food processor. Blend your ingredients and scrape down the sides of your processor with a rubber spatula. To get your desired consistency, incorporate water one teaspoon at a time.

After you’ve perfected your hummus base, experiment by adding different flavors like roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, or basil to the mix. After making your hummus, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Bonus Tip: Hummus also goes great with veggies roasted on the barbecue (think zucchini, carrots, and all your favorites)

Meat and cheese roll-ups

If you’re looking for a snack that doesn’t require baking, try this protein-packed option. Head to your local grocery store and pick up deli-sliced cheese. For the meat, opt for salami or deli meat slices, or pick up some smoked sausages. Get out a baking sheet and lay out your cheese slices. Then place your meat on top of each cheese slice and roll away. You can cut up sheets of parchment paper to make them easy to hold while on the go. Voila, you’ve got some protein on the go.

Granola bars

Granola bars at grocery stores are not only expensive but often come with preservatives that aren’t exactly nutritious. However, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this tasty snack that’s perfect to take on the go. Instead, try making them at home!

Some necessary ingredients to make granola bars at home include oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, honey or agave syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nut butter, salt, and anything else you may want in your bars.

Combine the nuts, fruit, and oats in a large mixing bowl. Then heat your sweetener, nut butter, vanilla, spices, and salt over medium heat in a small saucepan. After your nut butter mixture is smooth and heated, pour it over your nut mixture. Stir until the mixture is well blended.

Then, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking. After preheating your oven, bake your granola for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Allow them to cool in the pan before removing and cutting them into your preferred size. Store your granola in an airtight container at room temperature for a week, or refrigerate for up to two weeks.

Eating on the go

Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste or convenience. While we’ve named a few snacks to make at home and take on the go, there are plenty more ways to keep your belly full on your many adventures. Next time you’re headed for a hike, a day at the beach, or even just to work, try out these nutritious snacks.