5 Healthy Grab-and-Go Snacks

There aren’t enough hours in the day. Most people rush from home to school to work at the store and then back home. Who has time to eat healthy? It’s easier to grab a snack and go!

You can still make healthy choices—even on the run. Here are five healthy grab-and-go snacks for your busy lifestyle: 

1. Sliced Veggies

Salty and crunchy, chips taste great and feel good to eat. Believe it or not, you can get that same satisfaction from lightly salted vegetables. Crunchy veggies do the trick and are far better choices than traditional tortilla or potato chips. Slice up the following:

• Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Baby Carrots
• Radishes
• Zucchini
• Daikon 
  

Dip them in guacamole, homemade salsa, hummus, or black bean dip for even more taste and flavor. 

Still craving potato chips? Make your own! Slice zucchinis, parsnips, carrots, and sweet potato into thin slices and bake until lightly brown. These healthier (and tastier) alternatives come without the high calories and chemicals you find in store-bought varieties. Store them in small baggies for when you need them. 

2. Fruit

The fiber you get from fruit supports better digestion and fills you up with fewer calories.

Fruit is high in antioxidants and provides a reasonable amount of natural sugar if you’re craving something sweet. Add them to cereal in the morning, put them in your bag for later when you might get hungry, or pair them with nuts for a more satisfying snack that’s still good for you. The following fruits should be a part of any balanced diet: 

• Bananas
• Apples
• Raspberries
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Blueberries
• Avocados
  

Avoid drinking juice, as the juicing process eliminates fiber—one of the core benefits of eating fruit. Instead, slice a few pieces of your favorite fruit and throw them into a water pitcher. The infusion process adds flavor and makes the water itself tastier to drink. 

3. Sweet Potato French Fries

French fries are a favorite side dish. What else goes so well with sandwiches, burgers, and wraps? 

Unfortunately, they’re also filled with salt and oil. That’s why more and more people prefer sweet potato fries instead. You can even slice and bake them yourself, enjoying more nutrients such as beta-carotene and phytochemicals. Add olive oil or Himalayan salt, and they’re still healthier than traditional French fries.

4. Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t crave chocolate now and then? The good news is that chocolate is made from cocoa beans, and contains various antioxidants and nutrients that do our bodies good. 

Avoid chocolate candy bars as they don’t contain chocolate in any meaningful amount. They pump you full of sugar, milk, and processed ingredients. Look for dark chocolate and enjoy a few bites at a time.

5. Tea or Seltzer 

People get a boost of energy from drinks throughout the day, so it’s important to make good choices when looking for liquid snacks. Energy drinks are especially popular, but they contain a tremendous amount of sugar and stimulants that increase your risk for kidney damage or diabetes. 

Choose a caffeinated beverage without added sweeteners instead, and benefit from energy boosts without added calories. Give the following drinks a try: 

• Green Tea
• Coffee
• Black Tea
• Yerba Mate
• Oolong Tea

Stay away from soda, too. Another easy-to-grab snack that brings with it high amounts of sugar, soda creates problems that lead to weight gain and heart disease. A great alternative would be to make seltzer water and toss in some mint, orange, lemon, lime, or basil. By going the do-it-yourself route, you’ll avoid over 100 empty calories and at least 20 grams of pure sugar. 

Healthy Snacks Make a Difference

Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you have to eat unhealthily. It’s easier than you think to choose quick, healthy food alternatives that also taste great. Reducing junk food and increasing your fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients will improve your health as you get on with your day. 

Let Truvy help you with great health-conscious tips and ways to make better daily choices.