Top 10 Packable Snacks

These are my top 10 packable snacks. They travel well:

1. Berries: raspberries, though delicious, are not the packable choice so I recommend blueberries or strawberries instead.
2. Grapes: refreshing and they pack well, a great adventure snack. 
3. Trail Mix:Trail mix contents will vary and I only stick in chocolate chips if I know I don't have to worry about them melting in the heat. To save some money in the snack department, mix your own trail mix. While nuts are an expensive item, it is far cheaper buying in bulk and mixing your own varieties. 
4. Veggies: I usually go with cucumbers, carrots, snap peas, peppers and cherry/grape tomatoes.
5. Crackers: Choosing some crackers that have some protein can be great if peanut butter/homous is too messy because you're eating in the car. The current favs from Costco are almond crackers, Crunchmaster and Mary's. 
6. Energy bites: This is an easy item for a quick snack. It can be made ahead and doesn't take much prep time. 
7. Cookies: I find these hold up better to a bit of knocking around than most treats like muffins, bars, etc. 
8. Guacamole packages: These can be eaten with the veggies or crackers that you bring along. Even possibly tortilla chips if you feel that those aren't too delicate in your packing application. If you choose the guacamole packages, while pricey, they are convenient for on the go. 
9. Homous: A great way to get some protein and it can be eaten with crackers, veggies or even tortilla chips.
10. Apples and Oranges: I find these fruits are preferable to some of their softer counterparts such as bananas or pears. They hold up much better for an on-the-go snack. 

Many of these can be thrown in a backpack or bag for the car, but if it works, they are also happy being in a cooler bag. When packing snacks, I think of balance.- Protein and Fruits/Vegetables or Protein and Carbohydrates. That is one of the reasons I like the Energy bites - good balance and convenience. Hopefully this will give you a few ideas to pack up so you can spend more time on the adventures and less on the packing.

Happy Summer!

Need more ideas of what to pack? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian at [email protected] 

---