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Fruits and Veggies
It's super easy to grab a banana,
orange or maybe a container of berries or baby carrots. Both fruits and
vegetables are low-fat, low-cal foods that are full of vitamins and disease
preventing antioxidants. Just one cup of berries provides all the antioxidants
you need for an entire day. And a handful of cherry tomatoes provide vitamins
A, C, K and potassium.
Trail Mix
Bags of trail mix are an awesome quick
snack. Buying a pre-packaged mix can be tricky since everyone should avoid salt
and other additives. I would suggest
making your own – it will also be more cost-effective. Throw in anything you
like — seeds, nuts, dried fruit, raisins, your favorite cereal (maybe and even
a few chocolate chips for a sweet treat). Make a big batch and fill up several
smaller baggies. Many nuts and seeds contain protein, unsaturated fats (the
good fat) and Omega-3s.
Bars
Fruit bars, yogurt bars, fiber bars —
any type of compact, easy-to-pack granola-style bar that fits your fancy. Most
are genuinely nutritious, filled with vitamins and minerals. But you do
need to read the labels and check the fat, sugar and sodium content on the
labels. Unfortunately, some bars marketed as "healthy" are really
glorified candy bars.
Yogurt
It's high in calcium, vitamin D and
probiotics. For a lower-carb option, try the thicker and creamier Greek yogurt
plain style. As a bonus, Greek yogurt normally contains more protein and less
sodium. Add a banana, berries or any other fruit of your choice and that will
provide the "natural" sugar. If you're feeling
really creative, you can combine Greek yogurt with your fresh veggies (it's
just like a sour cream dip, only much healthier). Of course, traveling with
milk-based products is higher maintenance. But all you need is a small cooler
or an insulated bag to keep everything fresh and delicious.
Preparation is really the key. By
preparing your snacks ahead of time, you'll avoid having to just grab some
nachos at the corner convenience store. Instead, fill your kitchen with healthy
foods, take a few minutes each week to play chef and even stash a few
non-perishables in your car for "emergencies." My 87-year old Mother is
a riot – she keeps Ziploc bags filled with peanut butter pretzels and cashews
on the front seat of her car so she is always equipped. So take a tip from her and you'll actually
feel good about quickly running out the door — energized and healthy.
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