5 Healthy Grab-and-Go Snacks

This year we’re introducing a new column: “Guide for Girls On-the-Go.” It’s a smattering of tips, tricks, secrets, and strategies we’ve picked up while living out of suitcases, working out of cars, and spending life, well, on-the-go. We’ll be letting you in our own life-hacks and asking other girls on-the-go for their secrets so we can share them with you. Let us know what you’ve learned along the way, or ask any questions you might have for us on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments below.

[dropcap2]M[/dropcap2]ost mornings I barely have enough time to shower, put on mascara, and walk out the door. Notice that nowhere in that list do I even mention breakfast. I often gulp down a protein shake or grab something I can eat in the car while I am en route to my first appointment. In college, I learned the hard way that my body does not react well to simple sugars, (sugary cereal, toast and jam), when I nearly blacked out because my diet solely consisted of bagels that I could stuff in my bag to take to class with me. I was advised that I could not snack on pretzels, potato chips, or even just carrot sticks, without some proteins, complex carbohydrates, or added nutrients to keep me from dropping my blood sugar levels to dangerous levels. Because of that, I have always been on the lookout for fun new things to snack on while I’m on the go.

Whether you’re vegan, gluten free, or omnivorous, you will surely find something on this list that will satiate your snacking craving.

Oceans Halo

One of my favorite snacks on the go is seaweed. It’s a super food. I love sushi. It’s an easy sell for me. But, some people aren’t fans of the texture or can’t fathom eating a package of seaweed as a snack. They would rather just have a potato chip. Now, you can have all the nutrients of seaweed with the crunch of a chip! This is my favorite invention ever. If I had been a kid when this was invented, I could have easily eat bags of this. Its’ gluten free and made from both brown and white rice.
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Super Seed Crackers

Mary’s Super Seed Crackers are super crunchy, filled with sunflower, pumpkin, and poppy seeds. They’re vegan and gluten free, made with brown rice and quinoa. No butter and no wheat make these crackers great substitutes to curb your craving of the big-brand variety. They taste great and offer complex multi-grain energy to fuel your day. Double win.
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Beanfield’s Bean & Rice Chips

Family-owned with a commitment to being non-GMO and sustainable, Beanfield’s chips are made from beans and rice, so they are full of fiber and also gluten free. Beans are packed full of protein and fiber, so you have some real substance in this chip. All their chips are vegan, even their newest flavor–Ranch!
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Vermont Smoke & Cure

If you’re doing the Paleo thing and need some quick protein after your P90x or crossfit pounding, you can nosh on Vermont Smoked Meat Sticks. Not Vegan. No Preservatives. Gluten free. Just real natural meat. Every flavor is delicious. It’s amazing what food tastes like when there’s nothing to get in the way.
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Veg this Way Rawr Bar

This is a fun way to get your kids to eat veggies. Like the fruit leathers and roll ups of the last decade, these have the chewy texture kids love, but are made from vegetables rather than high sugar fruits. I had the Super Sweet Potato, which was delicious and packs in 1/2 a serving of vegetables in one package. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it. Vegan. Gluten free. They have 4 flavors: Sweet Potato, Beet, Squash and Supreme Green.
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What are some of your favorite snacks on the go? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo Credits: Bob Jagendorf & Elliott Brown