With summer travel in full swing, know that it is about enjoying the journey as much as the destination, or being prepared if your journey involves delays and chaos. Having the right snacks can make all the difference. Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite low carb snacks, plus some tips for picking and packing low carb snacks to keep you fueled and satisfied on your adventures:
What’s in the “Perfect” Low Carb Snack?
Snacking aims to reduce cravings and overeating while heading off fatigue and the inability to concentrate. Plus, snacks are key when you’re traveling, and especially when you’re dealing with unpredictable mealtimes and travel schedules. But not just any snack will do. The perfect low carb snack should be made of protein, fat and fiber for ultimate appetite control. Vegetables, berries and other fruit are best paired with fat and/or protein to minimize the impact on your blood sugar. Keep reading for some of my favorite low carb travel snacks and snack recipes.
Portable Low Carb Snacks and Recipes
Hit the Road with These 15 Low Carb Snacks
Low Carb Snacking Travel Tips
Stick with these tips when you’re on the road or in the air:
General Travel Tips
Plan ahead. Prepare snacks before you leave to avoid impulse buys. Tasty, pre-packed snacks like nuts, seeds, cheese sticks and Atkins products (bars, shakes, cookies, treats, and protein chips) can save you from high-carb temptations.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, leading to cravings or overeating.
Read labels. If you’re buying snacks, read the label for added sugars and carbs. Aim for snacks with protein and fiber.
Road Trip Tips
Keep it cool. When you hit the open road, it’s nice to have the convenience of a cooler. Pack your cooler with ice packs to keep portable snacks like fresh veggies, berries, cheese and hard-boiled eggs fresh.
Set up snack stations. Keep nuts, jerky and cut-up veggies in easy-to-reach containers in the front and back seats.
Protein power. Make sure your snack stash has protein-rich options like pre-cooked chicken strips, meat and cheese roll-ups, pre-made protein packs with nuts, cheese and meats and low carb bars and shakes.
Airport Travel Tips
Portable, not perishable. Pack snacks that are easy to carry and don’t require refrigeration, such as nuts, seeds, jerky and roasted seaweed snacks. Portable packets of tuna usually come in a variety of flavors and feature a handy spoon, so you can get a boost of protein anywhere.
Shop the airport. Choose pre-made salads, cheese packs, veggie trays and pre-packaged protein packs that include nuts, cheese and meats.
Liquid alert. Remember the liquid restrictions at airports and avoid bringing yogurt and other semi-liquid snacks that may be confiscated. Wait to buy those until you’ve made it through security. Carry a refillable water bottle that you can fill at a filtered water station.
