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When you need a quick pick-me-up!
By Aly Walansky — Written on Mar 06, 2020
Busy lives and busy schedules sometimes translate to not having the best eating habits. We try to eat healthy, and maintain lots of fruits, veggies, protein and whole grains, but when we're in a rush and on-the-go, it's just is easier to grab pizza or a donut.
While there's nothing wrong with treating yourself to foods that aren't that nutritious, making it a habit can derail our diet and make us feel sluggish and fatigued.
The solution? Snacks that are easy to grab when we're on the move, but are also convenient and quick.
And the best snacks for a busy life are those that aren't a carb or calorie punch in the gut. With so many great quick snacks, there's something for everyone — savory, sweet, and everything in between.
1. Kalahari Biltong Dried Thinly Sliced Beef
The originator of air-dried biltong, these are packed with 32 grams of protein, 0 sugar, and 0 carbs. This simple 6-ingredient snack will keep your fitness on track while you’re on the go. Plus, it's packaged in a resealable bag for easy storing, and it's compliant with Whole30, Keto, and Paleo lifestyles.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Lenny & Larry’s Keto Cookie
With sugar cravings reaching an all-time high on the keto diet, Lenny & Larry’s keto cookies pack 8 grams of plant-based protein and 5 grams of fiber. These are Non-GMO Project Verified, soy- and dairy-free, and contain only 3 net carbs per cookie.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
3. Beanfields Bean Chips
Every crunch is vegan, non-GMO and Kosher, packing 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein per serving. Made using black and navy beans, Beanfields taste like your favorite childhood chips, but made with better ingredients that taste bolder and better. The chips come in multiple flavors including: Spicy Queso, Nacho, Jalapeno Nacho, Jalapeno Lime, Himalayan Pink Salt and Vinegar, and Cheddar Sour Cream.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Ozery Bakery Morning Rounds
These nutritious and delicious bite-sized bread bites are perfect for days you’re running out of the house. The snacking rounds are non-GMO, free of artificial preservatives, and made with whole grains and real fruits. Even better, they provide 2 grams of protein and are only 60 calories each.
(Ozery Bakery, prices vary by location)
5. Ojas Studio Date & Grain Bites
Carefully crafted to nourish your body, these Date & Grain Bites offer a boost of energy that make them great for post-workout, mid-day or on-the-go snacks. These nourishing bites are made from real dates, almond butter, and oats to fit into your busy life.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
6. Hilo Life Keto Friendly Snack Mix
The perfect grab-and-go snack that satisfies salty, crunchy cravings with just 3 grams of net carbs! Enjoy a seriously delicious mix of crispy cheese bites, crunchy nuts and savory seasonings in a convenient snack pack so you can keto-your-way.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
7. Barbara’s Cheese Puffs
These deliciously cheesy and light as air gluten-free cheese puffs are the snack attack you will be happy to have. In five irresistible flavors, each is made with real cheese and non-GMO stone-ground corn, and there's no hydrogenated oils or synthetic growth hormones.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
8. Paleo Pro Primal Protein Bars
Primal Protein Bars are packed with quality grass-fed protein, hunger satisfying nuts, and non-GMO prebiotic fiber. Add the tasty benefits of ingredients like rich cacao and tender coconut, or tangy cherries and chia seeds. And you have a super convenient and delicious Paleo snack that provides the natural energy and nutrition you deserve.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
9. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans
This is a roasted bean snack brand that's high in plant-based protein and fiber. They're gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free and vegan, and come in many delicious flavors, including: Sea Salt, Garlic & Onion, Sweet Cinnamon, Mesquite BBQ, Zesty Ranch, Everything Bagel, and more.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Chef’s Cut Real Jerky Smoked Beef
Chef's Cut Real Jerky Co. hand-cuts premium meats and smokes them to tender perfection with chef-crafted marinades. This jerky is healthy, high in protein, low in fat, created using real ingredients and a propietary smoking process. There's 7 grams of protein and only 100 calories!
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
11. SmartSweets Gummies
Whether you're craving a fruity, sweet snack, or a tart and tangy treat, these are truly one-of-a-kind. Each bag of this keto-friendly candy is only 3 grams of sugar, 80-100 calories, and are packed with fiber.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Loacker Hazelnut Wafers
The flavor of Loacker Wafers offers crispy lightness combined with two layers of smooth crème delightful and timeless. Baked in family tradition that spans over 90 years, the Loacker Hazelnut Wafers contain real, premium ingredients.
(Eataly, $3.20)
13. Gaea Olive Snack Packs
These olive snack packs are a savory, low-calorie and healthy snack. They're 100 percent natural, contain zero additives or preservatives, and are very low salinity. Plus, the olives are packed in a handy resealable package, without liquid, allowing the convenience of snacking now and later.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
14. On-the-Go Shrimp Cocktail
Requiring virtually no prep work, the quick-and-easy shrimp cocktail is a tasty and fun, no-fuss product adults and kids will enjoy. A 3-ounce serving of shrimp delivers nearly 20 grams of protein, contains only 85 calories, and is rich in heart-healthy omega-3.
(Kroger, $3)
15. Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Light Kettle Corn Popcorn
Each serving contains 50 percent less fat and 15 percent fewer calories than the leading kettle corn. Plus, the kettle corn is made with whole-grain, non-GMO popcorn and is a gluten-free snack.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
16. Oh Snap! Fresh Dill Pickle Snacking Cuts
These on-the-go pickles are crunchy, delicious, and healthy. The individually wrapped dill pickles and veggies have no added brine, so there's less mess. Plus, they are single-serve so you can enjoy them with a meal or as a refreshing snack on the road.
(Target, $0.99)
17. BIGS Sunflower Seeds
BIGS steps up the sunflower seeds game by providing the biggest and boldest flavors imaginable, including Zesty Ranch, Vlasic Dill Pickle and Taco Bell Taco Supreme, just to name a few. The sunflower seeds are grown and roasted in the US.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. LesserEvil Grain Free Paleo Puffs
LesserEvil's Himalayan Pink Salt Paleo Puffs are the perfect on-the-go snack for a road trip, busy work day, or other adventures and activities. Tumbled in coconut oil and dusted with Himalayan Pink Salt, these grain-free puffs are nutrient-dense packed with organic cassava, coconut flour and sweet potato.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. Alpha Foods All-Day Burritos
Alpha Foods’ All-Day Burritos burst with flavor in a meatless protein-blend and ooey-gooey non-dairy cheese. They take less than two minutes to heat and eat, and come in four flavors to enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Chik’n Fajita, Mexicali, Philly, and Pizza.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. Bobo's Oat Stuff'd Bites
Enjoy Bobo’s Stuff’d Oat Bites will give you a satisfying energy boost whenever you need it. Each bite comes with whole grain rolled oats that provide the slow-burning carbs that are essential to get you through your busy day.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
21. Lundberg Organic Gluten-Free Thin Stackers
Light and full of flavor, these stackers make a deliciously crunchy organic whole grain rice snack. Lundberg rice stackers are lightly salted and offer a flavorful alternative to chips or bread. Munch on the go, or top with your favorite add-ons like nut butter, cream cheese, or hummus.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
22. SkinnyPop Popcorn
SkinnyPop always starts with a premium popcorn kernel, sunflower oil, and the perfect amount of salt. This popcorn has no GMOs, gluten or preservatives, making it a tasty, guilt-free snack.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
23. Quevos Keto Friendly Egg White Chips
Quevos are high-protein, low-carb, gluten-free, lactose-free chips made from egg whites that provide the nutrition of an omelette on the go. These Keto friendly flavors provide an excellent source of protein and fiber in addition to being extremely low carb. Each bag comes with 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of net carbs.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
24. Lil Bucks Sprouted Buckwheat Grain-Free Granola
The first dedicated sprouted buckwheat brand in the USA, this granola is great to top your smoothie bowl, yogurt and toasts, or add some crunch to your oatmeal, salad, sweet potato and scrambled eggs. Or, you can just eat it right out of the bag because it's that good!
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
25. Quinn Peanut Butter Pretzels
These peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets are gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, corn-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Ancient grain sorghum tastes great, and is better for you and the environment because it’s a highly drought-tolerant and water efficient crop.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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