Simple Ideas For When You’re Too Busy For A Healthy Snack
It happens to everyone sooner or later. You plan, pre-cook, pre-buy, everything you’re supposed to do so your never too busy for a healthy snack. Then, one day you oversleep, jog too long, lift too long, work through lunch, on a road trip. For whatever reason, you are starving and there is no way to make a healthy snack. Before you panic, take a deep breath and read my top five (in order) healthy snacks you can find in about any store, gas station mart or even vending machines. That’s why they’re called convenient, right?
Beef, Chicken Or Turkey Jerky
This is my go-to healthy snack that you can find in just about any convenience store. Jerky not only tastes great but packs a mean protein punch. All snacks should contain at least 15 grams of protein (25 or more is ideal) and jerky makes this an easy goal to achieve since an ounce contains anywhere from 10 to 14 grams of protein. It is also low in fat. Try a spicy jerky which will make you drink a lot of water. This can make you feel full for up to 5 hours.
Pistachios And/Or Almonds
You’ll be hard pressed to find any convenience store that doesn’t carry Pistachios and Almonds. Both are good for you, to a point. They have a lot of fat so don’t eat a 16oz bag. The key for me when I eat either is to drink a lot of water – 20 oz per 4 oz. Water fills you up anyway but adding the fiber, fat, potassium and other nutrients should hold you over for at least a couple hours. Studies have shown that nuts can lower your cholesterol!
Peanuts In A Shell
Take me out tot the ballgame! Or to the office, on a road trip, to the beach, wherever, shelled peanuts are a healthy snack packed with vitamin E and monounsaturated fat. Once again, use caution as peanuts are easy to eat in bunches. That’s why I always buy shelled, takes a little longer to eat. I also drink at least 20oz of water (or beer if I’m at a ballgame) to help me feel full.
Coconut Milk Based Yogurt
In a perfect world, I say coconut based. But let’s face it, in times of starvation with few options, choose a yogurt high in protein. Thanks to the NFL being the advertising powerhouse it is, you can find Dannon Oikos Triple Zero Greek Nonfat Yogurt everywhere. Most of these yogurts pack a whopping 15 grams of protein! They taste good too.
Trail Mix
You need to be careful when picking a trail mix. Read the label to make sure they are not full of high carb things like m&m’s, chocolate chips, pretzel sticks etc. Instead look for a trail mix containing nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. If all else fails, try to find a trail mix that contains only dried fruit. It’s not as flavorful to me but sometimes you can only find dried fruit or candied trail mix and the dried fruit is much healthier.
As you can see you have healthy snack options just about anywhere. A word of caution – do not load up on these to keep at your house in case of emergency. None are the perfect option and having them sitting in your home could lead to unhealthy binge eating late at night when you are bored or can’t sleep. Use them in a pinch, otherwise, try to make healthy snacks for everyday living.
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