Bars and single-serve packs are convenient, but they’re not always the most nutritious option. The worst offenders tend to be loaded with sugar, sodium, and bloat-causing preservatives, and all that packaging isn’t doing anything good for our landfills. With a little planning and the right container, you can make it to your next meal without starving and stay on top of your nutrition goals. Try carrying one of these healthful snacks—and let us know your thoughts!
Ants On a Log Make this throwback favorite with one stalk of fresh celery, 2 tbs. of all-natural peanut butter, and 1/8 cup of raisins. Keep the fiber-licious treat neat until snack time by packing it in a shallow, rectangular container (Snapware makes a nice one), and consider saving the “recipe” in your MyFitnessPal diary to easily log it again.
Hummus & Veggies Great in a bowl and on the go! At the grocery store, pick up pre-sliced veggies and a ready-made tub of the Mediterranean dip (look for one that’s low in sodium and preservative-free) to cut down on prep. Then, portion out 2 tbs. of humus into a small zip-top bag; carry veggies separately. At snack time, work the humus down into one corner of the bag, carefully snip the tip with scissors, and squeeze. (This trick works with peanut butter, too!)
Office Nachos Yep, you read that right: Nachos! Stash the ingredients for a healthy version—10 whole-grain tortilla chips, ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 2tbs. of salsa, and ¼ cup cooked black beans (canned is great)—in a salad storage kit (Fit & Fresh has a good option). Layer everything on a paper plate and zap it for 30 seconds in the microwave at work.
Have you discovered an easy way to carry homemade snacks? Do tell!