healthy snacks to buy for travel

• All Recipes
• Savory Recipes
• Apps & Snacks
• Desserts & Baked Goods
• Recipe Roundups
• Drinks & Smoothies
• Apps & Side Dishes
• Nutritious Snacks & Treats
• About Maggie
• Pumpkin Breakfast
• Pumpkin Appetizers & Snacks
• Pumpkin Desserts & Baked Goods
• Savory Pumpkin Recipes

20 Top Healthy Travel Snacks (Dietitian Approved)

Wondering what a registered dietitian brings to eat while traveling to stay healthy? I’m sharing my favorite dietitian approved healthy travel snacks that are nutrient dense and low in added sugar.

I love traveling but it quickly becomes no fun when I don’t feel my best (aka my digestion is off) or come home with a cold. These healthy travel snack ideas will help you fuel you up for any adventure. Plus, they’re packed with the good nutrition you need to feel your best while traveling.

I was also recently quoted in Huffington Post in their article “ Best Breakfast Foods To Eat When You’re Traveling, And Why It Matters .”

Healthy Airport Dining Options

Being hangry with a delayed flight and limited food options is no way to kick off a work trip or vacation. While you can’t control how long the line for security will be, you can control what snacks you pack to have on hand for any travel situation! Plus, knowing your airport options and having some carry-on essentials can help even more. A little planning a head of time is to key to fueling up, feeling your best and starting your trip off on the right foot.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Michalczyk, RDN (@onceuponapumpkin)

I will say that airports have come a long way when it comes to food choices. Here in Chicago, O’Hare airport has a few different local Chicago restaurants like Summer House Santa Monica and Publican Tavern inside the airport, and a couple Cibo Express (I know terminal 2 has one for sure!) locations throughout the airport that stock many of the snacks on my list of 15 dietitian approved healthy travel snacks below!

4 Key things to Look For in a Healthy Travel Snack

1. protein content.

Things with protein take longer for our body to digest vs. carbs. That is the reason eating a snack that is all carbs doesn’t work to keep us full for that long. Balancing it out and bringing high protein snacks for travel ensures we actually feel full for longer. Totally needed for every jet setter.

2. Fiber Content

When you’re reading a nutrition label check the fiber content. Why? Fiber helps to keep us fuller for longer and is needed for healthy digestion. Anything above 3 grams of fiber is considered a good source of fiber, and 5 or more is considered “high in fiber”.

Just beware of certain packaged products that have high amounts of added fibers like chicory root fiber and inulin. These can sometimes cause GI distress.

Most of us don’t get close to the recommend 25 gram of fiber we should be eating a day! To prevent constipation while traveling make it a point to incorporate fibrous foods like fruits, veggies and nuts and seeds.

3. Sugar Content

Sugar content will vary from snack to snack. Fruit, veggies and dried fruits contain natural sugars, whereas some packaged snacks can contain a lot of added sugar. Bars are notorious for their sugar content, which is why you want to pick ones that are lower in sugar and contain protein and fiber. The last thing you want is a sugar crash and no energy when you arrive at your destination!

4. Portability

Simple, mess free and easy to pull out of your bag when you’re running from gate to gate! This is a must for snacks which is why I like all of packaged items on the list below or packing fruits/veggies from home in a reusable stasher bag !

20 Dietitian Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

These 20 dietitian (and TSA!) approved travel snacks include ones that are gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly and low in sugar. They’re portable, easy to take-on-the-go and will fill you up and make you feel GOOD when traveling!

• RX Bar Single Serving Nut Butter Packet
• Purely Elizabeth Individual Oatmeal Cups or Plain Oatmeal Packets
• CHOMPS Meat Sticks
• Made in Nature Veggie Pops
• Made in Nature Figgy Pops
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Snack Packs with Hummus
• Nuts or Low-Sugar Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Portable Fruit Slices
• Portable Veggies Slices
• Dried Fruit
• Air Popped Popcorn
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Ella’s Flats
• Low Sugar Yogurt
• Homemade Wrap/Sandwich
• Low Sugar Granola
• Nut Butter Stuffed Dates
• Roasted Chickpeas
• Baked Cheese Crisps

1. RXBAR single serving nut butter packets

These nut butter packets are the perfect portion size! Pair with an apple or banana or use on top of plain oatmeal for more protein. The vanilla almond butter is my favorite flavor, but you can’t go wrong with any of them!

2. Purely Elizabeth individual oatmeal cups or Quaker plain oatmeal pouches

Great for breakfast or a snack in between flights, oatmeal will give you extra fiber (extra important for digestion when you’re off your routine!) Get plain pouches and add your own fruit and nut butter or opt for these from Purely Elizabeth that are low in sugar and high in fiber.

3. CHOMPS meat sticks

Each stick has 9-10 grams of protein per stick, no added fillers and no added sugar — it doesn’t get much better than that! They are also gluten free, dairy free, AIP friendly, whole30 approved and low carb .

4 & 5. Made in Nature veggie pops or figgy pops

I love these little pre-made energy bites that satisfy your craving for something sweet while not breaking the bank for sugar. The veggie ones are awesome too and contain a good amount of fiber!

6. Simple Mills almond flour crackers snack packs

These are my favorite crackers because they’re made with nutrient dense ingredients and nothing artificial. They’re gluten free and perfect for pairing with string cheese or hummus for a snack!

7. Nuts or low-sugar trail mix

Think pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. You can find Wonderful Pistachios at most airports. I also really like Skinny Dipped Almonds when I’m sick of plain old almonds.

Trail mix is another great option, but be sure to check the ingredient label as many contain added sugars and extra oils. If you have the time, throw one together at home with nuts and seeds!

8. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber and magnesium. Magnesium helps to relax our muscles, and chill us out and who couldn’t use a little more of that on a flight?!

9. Portable Fruit Slices

Think carrots, celery or pepper slices. Cut them up ahead of time and store in a stasher bag to snack on in flight.

10. Portable Veggie Slices

Use the same concept as the fruit slices above but sub in some veggies instead – banana, apple, oranges, grapes, etc.

11. Dried Fruit

Think dried mango, apple rings, prunes, unsweetened banana chips. Here again it’s important to look at the label because there can be added sugar included. Dried fruit is sweet enough as is, so just make sure you see one ingredient (the fruit) only!

12. Air Popped Popcorn

You get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to popcorn. Meaning you can eat a lot of it for not that many calories, plus some fiber! Pair a serving (roughly 3 cups) with something on this list for a little extra staying power.

13. Hard-Boiled Eggs

One large egg is a good source of protein along with other vitamins and minerals. Pair hard-boiled eggs with anything on this list. My go-to is to pair it with a fruit or veggie.

14. Ella’s Flats

If travel constipation happens to your regularly (see what I did there?!), then I wouldn’t leave home without these! Dress them with hummus or cheese or make a mini high-fiber sandwich with them.

15. Low Sugar Yogurt

Grab this on the other side of security (yogurt is not TSA approved) and opt for one that’s low in sugar and contains simple ingredients like siggi’s .

16. Homemade Wrap/Sandwich

This is one of the best ways to make sure you have a snack/meal that is balanced and will keep you full for most of your travel. I recommend using a whole-grain bread, adding a source of protein like turkey, a veggie or two, and a low sugar spread like hummus.

17. Low Sugar Granola

While most granolas are loaded with sugar, it is possible to find some that are lower than 5g! But if you have trouble finding one, opt to make your own instead. This also gives you the flexibility to add the ingredients you know that you love! You can also give my Healthy Pumpkin Granola recipe a try.

18. Nut Butter Stuffed Dates

Dates are truly nature’s candy, and they are a nutritious treat that is easily portable. Since dates are primarily made up of carbohydrates, slice one open, remove the seed, and fill with your favorite nut butter. This will make it a balanced snack with carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat.

19. Roasted Chickpeas

These are extremely portable and you don’t have to worry about keeping them cold! Brands offer many different varieties of flavors to speak to your taste preferences. They’re also easy to make at home, so you can make a big batch and share with your travel partner. They’ll provide fiber and a little bit of protein.

20. Baked Cheese Crisps

If you like cheese, run to get these. They are perfectly crispy and cheesy. Simply enjoy them with a piece of fruit or veggie, or add them on top of a plain salad that needs a little more flavor and protein.

I like to bring a variety of these snacks because you never know what you’ll be in the mood far!

High Protein Snacks for Travel

Out of all of these snacks, if you’re looking specifically for higher protein snacks for travel (or at least more than 5g per serving), I recommend the following:

• RX Bar single serving nut butter packet
• Purely Elizabeth individual oatmeal cups
• CHOMPS meat sticks
• Made in Nature veggie pops

More Healthy Snack Suggestions

• 25 Healthy Road Trip Snacks Nutritionists Swear By
• Best Protein Packed Snacks for Women
• 20 Healthy Dairy-Free Snacks Approved By Dietitians
• 13 Healthy Crackers Approved By Dietitian

Carry-On Essentials for Healthy Travel

While the food that you have on hand is one of the most important things, here are a few extras I always recommend adding to your travel bag too!

• Empty water bottle. Most every airport has a water refill stations attached to each water fountain…use them! Save yourself five dollars for a water bottle and BYO bottle for water.
• Portable charger . You can’t rely on the chargers near the seats at the terminals…you just can’t! And because literally my worst nightmare is my phone dying as I’m trying to get an Uber home, I always make sure I
• Probiotic Supplement. Tummy troubles can happen whether you’re traveling to a different country, or just a different state. Plus when you’re out of your routine and not drinking enough water, and eating enough fiber, constipation can become a real thing. In order to make sure my digestion stays on track I always pack my probiotic, and this one that I take from mindbodygreen is shelf stable which means it doesn’t need to be refrigerated to be effective.
• Neosporin . I started putting neosporin up my nostrils while flying late last year, and haven’t been sick after a flight since. Yes, it’s weird when the people I’m sitting next to on the plane see me stick it up my nose but I truly do not care at all if it prevents me from catching the nasties that are in the air on planes! I’m not opposed to a face mask either!

Traveling to Thailand? Be sure to check out this post and this post too!

**This post contains affiliate links which means I may get a commission if you click one of the links and end up buying something.

Pin this post for later!

This article has been updated and edited. Originally Posted: June 20, 2019

 How to Build a Snack Board 

140+ top healthy trader joe’s foods (+ shopping list), millennial nutrition insights from a millennial dietitian, ways to add more nutrition to the foods you already eat, veggie & rice spring rolls with thai peanut sauce, spinach oven-baked pizza frittata, one thought on “ 20 top healthy travel snacks (dietitian approved) ”.

The more I read, the greater your material is. I have covered a lot of the other sources, like this on https://nomoretrianglenations.com/dear-diary-growing-up-sucks-if-you-let-it/nonetheless , only here, I have found valid information with such necessary facts to bear in mind.

I suggest you will publish articles with many topics to upgrade our knowledge, mine in particular.

The language is just another thing-just brilliant! I believe I have already found my ideal source of the most up-to-date information, thanks to you!

• Maggie’s Favorites
• Privacy Policy

• In the Media
• Four to Restore

Stay Connected! Sign up to get new posts via email »

17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip

Pack these dietitian-approved, healthy travel snacks on your next trip. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, these are some of the most nutritious, filling, and tasty snack options to bring with you.

Never, and I mean never, travel without healthy snacks – that’s my motto. Snack options on the road or in flight can be unpredictable and aren’t usually the most nutritious. So, when “hanger” strikes mid-road trip or plane ride I like to be armed with some nutritious and filling, healthy travel snack options. Planning for and packing nutritious snacks is also proven to reduce hanger-induced fights with your travel companion. 😉

Why pack healthy travel snacks?

Picture this: you’re two hours into your road trip, your stomach is making more noise than the radio, and you have zero snacks in the car. What happens next? You find the next gas station, buy any and all snacks in sight, and devour them in ten seconds flat.

What happens after that? Thirty minutes to an hour later you’re craving more snacks! Why? When you wait for hunger levels to skyrocket and find yourself in the snack aisles of a gas station, you’re more likely to choose the Cheetos and Oreos over one of the few nutritious options.

Although tasty, these refined, fiber-less and sugar-rich snacks send your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster. You might get a quick boost of energy, which is inevitably followed by a steep crash in blood sugar levels, leaving you tired, moody, and craving more junk food.

That’s why planning for and packing some healthy travel snack options is a gamechanger when travelling! It’ll help you make more nutritious and less impulsive choices when you’re in a pinch.

What to look for in a healthy travel snack

You’re on board, you’re ready to plan some healthy travel snacks for your upcoming trip, but you have no clue what to buy. What makes for a healthy travel snack?

First, I typically avoid using packaging claims like “organic”, “natural”, or “non-GMO” to guide my snack choices. There’s a health-halo surrounding these claims – we assume they must mean the product is a healthy choice, when in reality, the claims have little to nothing to do with the nutritional value of a food.

Instead, I use a food product’s built-in cheat sheet, the nutrition label (when it applies)! I look for 4 things:

• Calories: Ideally you want a snack that’s around 150 to 250 calories. This is one of the few times I use calorie counts as a dietitian and that’s because I do feel it serves as a good measure of portion control here. If it happens to be slightly under or over, no biggie. Use this as a general guideline.
• Fiber: Fiber is my favorite f-word! It helps fill you up without filling you out, and helps keep blood sugar levels stable so you’re not hungry every 30 minutes of travel. I look for at least a few grams of fiber OR at least a 10:1 ratio of total carbs to fiber. For example, if something has 20 grams total carbs, at least 2 of those grams should be coming from fiber.
• Protein: Fiber and protein are a powerful, satiating and hunger-squashing duo. Look for at least 5 to 10 grams. If there’s more, great!
• Added sugar: Added sugars are the sugars added to foods and beverages during the manufacturing process. They are different from natural sugars – those found naturally in foods like fruits. The new nutrition label requires manufacturers to call out grams of added sugar, and most brands have adopted this new label by now. The closer to zero here the better, but ideally try to keep added sugar to no more than 5 grams.

In general, aim for a combo of protein and fiber in your healthy travel snacks – whether the snack item inherently has both (like roasted chickpea snacks) or you have to piece together more than one food to get both (like a banana with almond butter). 

Best Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

Keeping the guidelines above, plus convenience and portability in mind, here are my top X favorite healthy travel snacks.

First, let’s start with an easy one, fruit! I typically recommend fresh fruit when possible but understand eating some fresh fruits can get messy. If traveling with fresh fruit isn’t your thing, try unsweetened dried fruit instead.  It’s much easier to find unsweetened varieties than it used to be. You can find unsweetened dried fruits at many grocery store chains, like Trader Joe’s and even these tasty Good & Gather Unsweetened Dried Apple Rings from Target.

Even though fruit is rich in filling fiber and you can certainly eat it on its own, I always recommend adding some protein to it. Adding protein can help satiate you even more and can help slow digestion and buffer blood sugar spikes.

What are some good proteins to pair fruit with? See the next 6 snack choices listed!

Nuts are full of protein and fiber on their own but can also add a protein boost when paired with carb sources like fruit. Almonds and cashews make for great snacking options, but my personal favorite snack nut is pistachios. One serving of pistachios is 49 nuts – that’s a lot of nuts!

I recommend buying them in shell because taking the time to open each nut serves as a mindful eating technique and helps you slow down your snacking. I love these salt and pepper seasoned Wonderful Pistachios.

Nut Butter Packets

I repeat, nuts are a good source of protein and fiber, so this still holds true of them when blended into nut butter form. Just be sure to lookout for added sugar on the nutrition label. You can bring a whole jar with you or look for the individual nut butter packets which are very convenient for travel.

My favorite nut butter is the RXBAR Vanilla Almond Butter . It’s got an extra boost of protein from egg whites and it’s lightly sweetened naturally from the natural sugars in dates.

String Cheese

Is it string cheese or cheese sticks? Whatever you call them, they’re cheese in one of its most portable forms! Cheese is a good source of protein and calcium – a mineral that’s often lacking in the average American diet.

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is a good one to pair with some fruit!

Whisps Cheese Crisps

Cheese in portable form part 2. These cheese crisps are a newcomer to the cheese market. They’re essentially baked cheese that’s turned hard and crunchy. Whisps have at least 10 grams of protein per serving and are made from one ingredient: cheese!

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is another good one to pair with some fruit!

Hard-Boiled Eggs

So many great things to say about the incredible egg. Eggs are another excellent, yet smelly protein source. Just be sure to warn your travel companion about the smell before eating one! One egg has a whopping 7 grams of protein. Travel tip: peel the eggs before you pack them.

If you’re feeling fancy or simply bored of plain hard-boiled eggs, try these Peckish eggs. They’re convenient and portable pre-hard-boiled eggs served with delicious and crunchy seasonings!

To be honest, I don’t really like the taste or texture of jerky. But if YOU do, it can make for an excellent healthy travel snack option. Jerky is usually just protein and some fat, but be sure to check the nutrition label for  added sugars. Many jerky brands add sugar to their jerky to improve flavor and increase the weight of the final product (sugar costs less than meat by weight). Chomps sticks are not only free of added sugar, but also keto, paleo, and Whole30-approved. They’re also portable and very convenient to travel with.

Roasted Chickpea Snacks

Chickpeas are my go-to snack ingredient because of their impressive nutritional profile – a serving of cooked chickpeas (1/2 cup) has around 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. The protein and fiber combo helps fill you up, keep blood sugar levels stable, and satiate you until you get to your destination (or until your next meal).

You can now find chickpeas in conveniently pre-roasted and seasoned snack form at most grocery stores. Look for brands like The Good Bean, Biena , Saffron Road, and more. 

Hummus & Dippers

Speaking of chickpeas, did I mention they make for a very versatile snack option. When blended with a handful of other ingredients, they turn into beloved hummus. You can either portion out a big tub of hummus into small meal prep containers (like the salad dressing sized ones), or buy the single-serve ones for travel, and serve with one of the next two snack options listed (Simple Mills Crackers and Beet Chips).

It wouldn’t hurt to throw in some sliced veggies or baby carrots as dippers if you can, too. But I realize they aren’t always convenient for travel.

Simple Mills Crackers

These crackers are crackers minus the “ers”. Seriously, they taste almost too good to be true. They’re one of the few cracker brands out there without added sugars, plus they’re grain-free and gluten-free, making them paleo-friendly. One serving of their sprouted seed crackers has 3 grams fiber and 3 grams protein. 

If you love beets, it’s safe to say you’ll love them even more in chip form. Beets are surprisingly rich in protein and fiber – one serving of these Bare Beet Chips has 4 grams protein and a whopping 8 grams fiber. Plus, they’re made from just two simple ingredients: beets and sea salt.

You can also find Just Beets chips at Trader Joe’s, which, as the name implies, are made from just beets. 

Freeze-Dried or Roasted Edamame Snacks

Edamame are a type of soybean. Much like other legumes, edamame are rich in both protein and fiber, and are one of the most protein-rich among the legumes. Plus, they’re lower in total carbs compared to other legumes, like beans and chickpeas, making them the perfect snack for anyone following a lower-carb diet.

You can find roasted and seasoned shelled edamame snacks, or these new Good & Gather freeze-dried and salted edamame at Target! One half-cup serving has 12 grams protein and 4 grams fiber for just 130 calories.

DIY Snack Mix

Store-bought snack mixes, trail mixes, and granola can be loaded with added sugar and lacking filling fiber. That’s why I recommend making your own simple, easy, and filling snack mix! Start with a base of some pre-popped and lightly-seasoned popcorn, which has a little protein and fiber and provides a lot of volume for little calories. Next, add some freeze-dried fruit (Target, Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s have great selections) and nuts of your choice for an extra protein and fiber boost.

Then, get creative! Add spices, like cinnamon, for more flavor and maybe even a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips or Lily’s stevia-sweetened baking chips. 

These crunchy, cheese curl-like snacks are gluten-free, vegan, and made from plant-based proteins like chickpea and brown rice flours. They’re so tasty and come in a variety of delicious flavors like vegan white cheddar, bohemian barbecue, and nacho vibes. Even though they’re flavored, they only have one gram of added sugar per serving. 

Single-Serve Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is the new Greek yogurt. Although it may not be ideal for all modes of travel, if you’ve got a cooler packed for a road trip you can easily slide a few of these single-serve containers in there. C ottage   cheese  is packed with nutrients, including B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B12, and calcium. It’s an excellent source of protein, with 1 cup of small curd  cottage   cheese containing nearly 25 grams of protein.

I recommend topping a plain one with a handful of berries (for some fiber). But if you can’t handle plain, Good Culture has a few flavored varieties that don’t have too much added sugar. 

Birch Benders Microwaveable Cups

Birch Benders’ Cups have protein and fiber, zero grams added sugar, are low in net carbs, and are grain- and gluten-free, making them paleo- and keto-friendly! Obviously, you need a microwave to make these, so they may be more of a snack you bring with you to keep at your hotel (although some gas stations and 7-Elevens have microwaves you can use). All you have to do is add water, microwave for 60 seconds, and voila!

They come in seven delicious varieties, but the brownie is my personal favorite. 

Protein & Snack Bars

Protein and snack bars are probably the most convenient, portable, and dependable travel snack out there, but buyer beware. Some bars can be high in added sugar and low in fiber. Here are my travel favorites:

Pressed Fruit Bars

These bars are essentially fruit that’s been dried and pressed into a bar shape. Like fruit, they’re rich in fiber, but lack protein. So, it’s a good idea to pair with one of the proteins listed earlier (i.e. string cheese, nuts, etc.). Look for brands like That’s It bars, KIND whole fruit bars , and Trader Joe’s fruit bars.

RXBARs are my personal favorite! They are also made up of fruit (dates in this case), but have added protein in the form of nuts and egg whites. 

Health Warrior

These Health Warrior chia bars are more like a mini snack (they’re only 100 calorie each). They’re perfect for when you just need a little something to hold you over. 

These original KIND nut bars have come a long way since they first entered the market. They’re relatively low in added sugar and are a good source of protein and fiber. Plus they’re straight tasty. 

Let me know what YOUR favorite travel snack is in the comments section below!

posted by Charlotte Martin on February 22, 2020

6 Comments / Leave a Comment »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

6 comments on “17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip”

YESS!! Haven’t tried Birch benders microwaveable cups, but I buy and eat all of the other snacks all the time. THESE SNACKS REALLY ARE THE BEST.

They have some of the BEST products don’t they?! Definitely try the brownie microwaveable cup if you can, it’s so tasty 🙂

LOVE this list! Whisps, nuts and dried fruits are all go-tos when I travel. I haven’t tried the Simple Mills crackers before, so I’m interested to try them out, thank you!

Hi Amanda! Glad you found the list helpful 🙂 Whisps are my FAVORITE! So addicting! Definitely get your hands on some Simple Mills crackers they are soooo good you won’t regret it

This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these, I am a big snack person. One of my go-to snacks is the Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom snack size packs!

Hi Bevan! I still have yet to try those! You just reminded me that I need to go snag some 🙂 Thank you!

Hi, I’m Charlotte!

I’m a Registered Dietitian who’s made it her mission to educate, inspire, and empower you to SHAPE your eating habits and relationship with food!

More About Me »

get your free guide

How To Build A Better Balanced Meal: Your ULTIMATE Cheat Sheet with more than 50+ recipe ideas, tips and more!

yes, I want my free guide!

It’s finally here!

Grab a copy of my new book The Plant-Forward Solution: Reboot Your Diet, Lose Weight & Build Lifelong Health today!

The book includes more than 70 recipes to meet an array of dietary needs, plus a comprehensive 28-day meal plan with shopping lists, tips and tricks on how to boost your creativity in the kitchen, and more!

Get Yours Today!

Get your free guide

• ^ Back to Top
• In The Media

• All Wellness
• All Skin Care
• Moisturizers
• Mineral Sunscreens
• Sunscreens for Kids
• Sunscreens for Dark Skin
• SPF Lip Balms
• Under Eye Patches
• All Hair Care
• Purple Shampoos
• Thinning Hair
• Head Shavers
• Hair Dryers
• All Oral Care
• Electric Toothbrushes
• Toothpastes
• Mouthwashes
• Water Flossers
• Meal Kit Delivery
• Gluten-Free Meal Kit Delivery
• Disposable Face Masks
• Air Purifiers
• Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
• Natural Deodorants
• Period Underwear
• All Fitness
• Exercise Bikes
• Walking Shoes
• Fitness Trackers
• Reusable Water Bottles
• Blackout Curtains
• Sound Machines
• Home & Kitchen
• All Home & Kitchen
• Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• All Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• Coffee Makers
• Kitchen Gadgets
• Small Home Appliances
• All Small Home Appliances
• Air Conditioners
• Space Heaters
• Humidifiers
• Bedding & Bath
• All Bedding & Bath
• Bath Towels
• Silk Pillowcases
• Duvet Inserts
• Office Chairs
• Standing Desks
• Desk Organizers
• Seat Cushions
• Under Desk Ellipticals
• All Outdoor
• Raised Garden Boxes
• Garden Hoses
• Beach Towels
• Solar Pool Covers
• Grilling Accessories
• Electronics
• All Electronics
• Wifi Routers
• Gaming Consoles
• Streaming Devices
• Instant Cameras
• Handheld Gaming Consoles
• 3D Printers
• All Headphones
• Noise Canceling
• Wireless Earbuds
• Smart Gadgets
• All Smart Gadgets
• Smart Watches
• Smart Bulbs
• Garage Door Openers
• All Computers
• Gaming Laptops
• Laptops for College Students
• Computer Monitors
• Ergonomic Keyboards
• Dog Carriers
• Litter Boxes
• Scratching Posts
• Cat Carriers
• All Pet Care
• Nail Clippers
• Flea & Tick
• All Luggage
• Lightweight
• Weekender Bags
• Accessories
• All Accessories
• Luggage Tags
• Travel Pillows
• Tech Gadgets
• Packing & Organization
• All Packing & Organization
• Packing Cubes
• Toiletry Bags
• Gift Guides
• All Gift Guides
• Valentine's Day
• All Valentine's Day
• For Any Loved Ones
• Mother's Day
• All Mother's Day
• Last Minute Gifts
• Best Mother's Day Gifts
• For Moms Who Have Everything
• Best from Amazon
• All Graduation
• For College Grads
• For High School Grads
• For Teachers
• Father's Day
• All Father's Day
• Best Father's Day Gifts
• For Dads Who Love Fishing
• Holiday Season & Christmas
• All Holiday Season & Christmas
• Gifts Under $25
• Practical Gifts
• Other occasions & loved ones
• All Other occasions & loved ones
• For Grandparents
• For Bridal Shower
• For New Parents
• For Any Occasion
• Deals & Sales
• All Deals & Sales
• Most Popular This Month
• Sales This Week
• New & Notable
• What to Buy This Month
• All Sleep Week
• Body Pillows
• Sleep Week Sales
• CNBC Select
• All CNBC Select
• Credit Cards
• Small Business
• Personal Finance
• Credit Monitoring
• Help for Low Credit Scores
• Sign up for the Select Newsletter
• Check out Shop TODAY
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Terms Of Service
• NBC News Sitemap

Follow Select

The best healthy travel snacks, according to nutritionists and dietitians

My motto is: Never travel without snacks ! Just as traffic and weather are unpredictable when traveling, so is the snack selection. Some airports and convenience stops are well-stocked with plenty of healthy items while others — even in big cities — leave you with few nutritious options. Plus, bringing your own food means you can avoid the over-priced airport and rest stop fare.

Whether you’re hitting the road, railways, or the skies , travel can take you long stretches between meals and a healthy snack can help nourish you and satisfy hunger between stops. You might even find that by snacking well, you’re less irritable during those unpredictable delays.

Even when you’re heading out on vacation , it makes sense to stick to your (mostly) healthy eating routine. You’ll find it easier to offset vacation weight gain and you’ll feel better during your trip. So, on top of your sneakers , sunscreen , and clothing, add healthy snacks to your packing list. Here are some nutritionist-approved picks to choose from.

What makes a healthy travel snack?

Travel snacks need to be easily portable for road trips and airplane travel, and if the latter, they must be able to make it past TSA inspection. Yogurt, nut butter, and certain dips (like hummus and guacamole) are considered “liquids and gels” and would therefore need to meet size requirements to make it through US security. (Rules may vary if you’re entering the US from a foreign country.) Fresh foods need to travel well, meaning they’re easy to tote and not too messy to eat on the go. Beyond that, here are some guidelines the registered dietitians (RDs) considered when suggesting snacks that get the green light:

• Primarily made with whole food ingredients (think: beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, whole grains).
• Any grain-containing items should be made with whole grains
• Controlled (if any) amounts of added sugar and sodium

Ask an RD A better way to think about 'clean eating'

Fresh snacks.

Fresh produce, like an apple, banana, or some baby carrots are easy options to tuck into your travel bag. “I’ll pack veggies I can eat with my hands, like sliced cucumber and red bell pepper, a little container of dip made from healthy fat, like guacamole or seasoned almond butter or tahini, and a handful of oven-roasted chickpeas for plant protein and fiber-rich carbs. This combo is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and is a fresh change of pace from the packaged options for sale at airports, gas stations, etc.,” says Cynthia Sass , MPH, RD, a New York and Los Angeles-based performance nutritionist

Sass also recommends making overnight oats for a filling meal to take along. “I combine old fashioned rolled oats with plant protein powder, then add hot water, stir in seasonings like a bit of maple syrup, ginger and cinnamon, then fold in shredded zucchini, fresh fruit, and chopped nuts, and chill in the fridge overnight. This nutrient-rich complete meal is an ideal option if you have a chilled lunch sack to keep it cool.”

Maya Feller , RDN, who has a private practice in Brooklyn and a cookbook forthcoming this fall, shares a similar strategy. “In general, I do my best to have a balanced meal when I travel — either purchased before arriving at the airport or brought from home. My favorite travel snacks are always paired with a large bottle of water. I’m big on water simply because airplane travel is so dehydrating. Mixed raw unsalted nuts and fresh fruit are a usual go-to of mine. The nuts are a nice combination of satiating protein and fiber that do an effective job of bridging the gap between meals without additives. Simple and straight forward,” she says. (And remember if you’re traveling on a plane, fill up your water bottle after you make it through security.)

NYC-based RD, Natalie Rizzo agrees. “I like to snack on nuts when traveling because a small amount is really filling,” she says “But since some packaged nuts are coated in unhealthy toppings, like tons of sugar or salt, I make my own " Cinnamon Roasted Almonds " with just a little bit of cinnamon, agave and salt. All nuts contain healthy fats, protein and fiber, so you can use whatever type of nut you like best. Just try to stick to a one-ounce portion size so you don’t eat too many calories in one sitting,” suggests Rizzo.

Pro Picks Nutritionist-approved snacks your kid will actually want to eat

Frances Largeman-Roth , RDN, nutrition and wellness expert and author of "Eating in Color" says grapes are her go-to travel snack for the whole family. “They’re refreshing and hydrating (at 82% water) and are super portable as well.” Largeman-Roth explains that all grapes (green, red and black) are a great source of polyphenols and other antioxidants. “I like to bring them on car trips in a small cooler. They help my kids stay hydrated without extra potty breaks, which makes travel more fun for everyone!” she says.

Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area makes her " Healthy Roasted Chickpeas " for her travels. “I love traveling with this filling snack because the chickpeas are filled with plant protein to help keep you fuller for longer. They're perfect for long plane rides or road trips. The chickpeas are crunchy and delicious — and you can flavor them however you like. They can be easily packed up in a zip-top bag for when you hit the road!”

Like these RDs, I travel with fresh produce and nuts, and often take some boiled eggs along for the ride, particularly when I’m traveling through meal time. For easier eating (and to reduce mess), peel them in advance, and be sure to stick them in a bag with a small ice pack if they’ll be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. If you have the option, store the ice pack in the fridge where you’re staying and re-use it to keep fresh fruit and veggies cool on your trip home. Another pro tip: You can easily pick up small packets of salt and pepper at an airport eatery or gas station stop — perfect for seasoning your eggs on your travels!

Packaged snacks

Packaged snacks definitely make the cut with these nutrition pros, provided they meet some healthful standards. “If I’m purchasing an item at a kiosk, I usually look for a fruit and nut-based bar with 5g of added sugar or less per serving and no added salt,” says Feller. “I generally look for options that have a short ingredient list with recognizable names and limited additives. When flying, I like to be mindful of my added sugar and added salt intake. I’ve found that my post-travel digestion is much better when I stick to snacks without refined grains and additives,” she says.

Amrita's high protein chocolate chip coconut bar scores high marks with Sass. “It's delicious, made with real food ingredients, including dates, quinoa, sunflower and chia seeds, and contains no added sugar,” she says, adding, “It satisfies my choc-o-tooth while providing 15 g of plant protein and 6 g of filling fiber.” Sass says the balanced macro ratio leaves her feeling energized for about three hours. “To make it a meal replacement I’ll combine it with an organic green juice.”

Amrita High Protein Gluten Free Bars

If you were intrigued by the roasted chickpeas but don’t have the time or inclination to heat up the oven, you can purchase them instead. Joan Salge Blake , EdD, Clinical Professor, Boston University and the host of the hit health and wellness podcast, SpotOn! , recommends Biena Chickpea Snacks . “They’re high in fiber and flavor and are light as a feather so they don't weigh down your travel bag,” she says.

Biena Chickpea Snacks

“For an easy, on-the-go travel snack, I tend to bring a string cheese and a serving of baked chips, such as Beanitos Black Bean Chips ,” says Keri Gans , RDN, nutritionist and author, "The Small Change Diet". “The individually-wrapped cheese is portion controlled and provides the protein needed to help with satiety. And since the Beanitos are made from black beans, they also provide protein, plus are a good source of fiber, another important nutrient for a well-rounded snack,” she explains. It turns out dietitians have a salty tooth, too. “The chips totally satisfy my craving for something salty, without actually being too high in sodium.” If you want to pack a similar snack, Gans shares this this pro tip: Pre-portion the chips in a small container rather than eating straight from the bag.

Beanitos Black Bean Chips

If you’re hitting the road or railways instead of the skies, Gorin recommends taking Dole Spoonable Smoothies (and a spoon) along for the ride. “These are a really fun snack to bring with you on a road trip. You have a smoothie bowl made with real fruit that you can eat on the go — and it comes with a little packet of granola to sprinkle on top for crunch,” she says. “The smoothie takes 35 to 40 minutes to thaw, so if you stick it in your travel bag before you get in the car you should be good to eat it on the road or train.”

If you’re looking for more portable fruit options, Largeman-Roth says she brings a bag of RIND dried fruit with her whenever she travels. “The Orchard Blend is my favorite. I love that they keep all the skins and peels on their dried fruit, which provides more nutrients, as well as more fiber. Fiber is important when you’re traveling because most of us don’t get enough and that can lead to constipation. This stuff really helps me stay regular, just saying! The dried persimmon is especially delicious and my kids love it too.”

Dried Mango from Peeled Snacks is another RD-approved option. “When I have a hankering for something sweet, I like to snack on fruit,” says Rizzo who notes that fresh fruit doesn’t always pack well. “That’s why I carry bags of dried mango with me when I travel. These naturally sweet treats contain no added sugar and are an excellent source of vitamin C. Plus, they come in small flat bags that are easy to throw into your purse or suitcase,” she says.

Peeled Snacks Organic Dried Fruit, Mango

What a nutritionist wants you to know.

• Bad nutrition advice dietitians want you to forget
• The best way to lose weight boils down to these three things
• What you need to know about going vegan
• What is healthier: natural sugar, table sugar or artificial sweeteners?
• The healthier pick: a hot dog or a hamburger?

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

28 Healthy Snacks to Pack For Your Next Long Flight

Because soggy airport pizza is no way to start a trip.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Epic Provisions Snack Strips or Meat bars

Lauren Cadillac , Manhattan-based Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer, is a big fan of EPIC’s Snack Strips or Meat Bars which are high in protein to keep you full throughout your flight. The best part? You can find them at some airports, just in case you forgot to pack them. 

Wonderful Halos California-Grown Mandarins

These particular mandarins “are seedless and easy to peel, making them another simple grab-and-go option when you're heading to the airport,” says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE and creator of  ForTheLoveOfDiabetes.com . Not only that, but eating just two Halos will provide you with natural energy and half a day’s worth of vitamin C, she says. 

Gaea Packaged Olives

For a salty option, Keri Glassman, R.D., recommends packing olives. You can enjoy them on their own or include them in what she refers to as “mini meals” which can consist of olives and pairings like a small salad, a packet of tuna, “or a KIND bar that only has 4-5 grams of sugar per serving.” Just one thing olive-lovers, skip olive bar varieties which “are actually sitting in canola oil” and go for those stored in water and packaged in a glass jar or to-go container for a healthier option (like these Gaea olives she loves).  

Chopped Apples With Cinnamon and Almond Butter

Glassman takes her apples to the next level by chopping them up and topping them with cinnamon and almond butter. Not only is this a delicious way to fit some fruit into your trip, but it's also a simpler way to pack.

Pete & Gerry's Hard Boiled Eggs

“These are an easy addition because they are pre-peeled and ready to eat and much more nutritious than most other airport options,” says Zanini. Convenience aside, these eggs “are high in protein, organic, free-range, and certified humane” so you can travel with a full belly and a clear conscience.

Soozy's Grain-Free Muffins

If your idea of a great airport snack is less giant Toblerone and more muffins and croissants, Cadillac suggests Soozy’s Muffins. “Grain-free, gluten-free, certified paleo, these muffins are a much healthier choice than the muffins at the airport,” she says.

Frozen Grapes

Grapes not enticing for you on their own? Freeze them before your flight for a sweet and satisfying crunchy snack! Glassman recommends doing this and then popping them in a reusable on-the-go bag to keep them frozen for a few hours. “They will start to defrost, but will still be super cold for snacking,” she says.

Justin's Squeeze Pack

These packets of nut butter may not fill you up on their own but they're a great addition to crackers, fruits, and other snacks you may already have on hand. 

KIND Snack Bars

Last-minute packers, this one’s for you. The easiest thing you can do is reach for a granola bar. Glassman recommends KIND’s Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt bar. It’s her favorite “because they are made with real, wholesome ingredients like nuts, whole grains and fruit, plus the bar has only 5 grams of sugar,” she explains. 

Wholly Guacamole Classic Guacamole Minis

Avocado is a nutrient-dense food packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, says Glassman. She makes her own avocado mash at home using salt, pepper, lemon or lime, and garlic powder but if you’re not a fan of DIY, just toss some of Wholly Guacamole’s single-serve guacamole packs in your bag. “At 2 ounces each, they're totally TSA friendly. Plus, they pair so well with other nutritious snacks like crunchy veggies and whole grain crackers, so I feel encouraged to eat lots of healthy items while in-flight,” says Blechman.

Dang Unsweetened Toasted Coconut Chips

Even if you’re not jetting off to some tropical island, these coconut chips will make you feel like you’re in snack paradise. Not only are they super tasty but as Cadillac explains, “medium chain triglycerides from the coconut are great for brain function and sustained energy levels.” In other words, they’ll fill you up and help you ace that crossword puzzle you’re saving for the flight.  

Nature's Path Qi'a Superfood Organic Hot Oatmeal

We never thought to make oatmeal on a flight but it’s honestly a no-brainer. As Cadillac points out all you need to do is bring a packet with you, ask for a cup and hot water, and voila! A tasty, filling, and hot snack rich in fiber and “brain boosting omega threes” suddenly materializes.

Gimme GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks

Cadillac packs seaweed snack on her trips because they’re “a low calorie treat that satisfies that salty crunchy craving.” But not only are they low-cal, they also pack a ton of vitamins and minerals such as as calcium, iron, magnesium, iodine zinc, and vitamins C and A! Potato chips who?

Dates With Almond Butter

“While it still satisfies that sweet tooth in the same way a candy will, dates are a real food that will provide you with vitamins and minerals compared to empty calories that you’ll get from candy,” says Glassman. Additionally, “the protein and fat from the almond butter will help satiate you” so you don’t feel the need to snack during your entire trip.

Light & Fit Two Good Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt

For a light snack that's still filling enough to hold you over until the concessions cart comes around, Blechman suggests Greek yogurt. "Right now I'm loving Two Good. The little cup has 2g of total sugar, 3g of carbs, 12g of protein and 80 calories." So, you'll save plenty of room for a fun meal when you land.

Wonderful Pistachios Wonderful Roasted & Salted Pistachios

“Pistachios are a good source of plant-based protein and nearly 90% of the fats found in them are the better for you mono and polyunsaturated type,” says Zanini. 

Horizon Organic Mozzarella String Cheese Sticks

“I am always looking for items that are individually wrapped because they’re so much easier to grab from the kitchen on my way out,” says Blechman. Her current go-to is Horizon organic string cheese for a good source of protein that easily fits in a personal bag or carry-on.

Sabra Classic Hummus Snack Dips

For a savory snack that’s indulgent without being unhealthy, Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, and health and nutrition expert for NBC’s TODAY show, recommends hummus cups, because they’re the perfect thing to accompany some fresh veggies like baby carrots, celery sticks, or bell pepper slices, she says. Or, if you're a carb-lover (who isn't?) enjoy the pita chips that come with most cups.

Finn Crisp Thin Rye Crispbread Original

If you're looking for yet another option to dip into your hummus or guac (another healthy go-to), Blechman recommends whole-grain crackers to stay on the more nutritious side. Her favorites (with or without hummus) are Finn Crisps.

Nourish Snacks Chewy Granola Bites

To satisfy your cravings for those Delta biscotti, Bauer suggests her very own Nourish Granola Bites in flavors like chocolate peanut butter, blueberry apple, and chocolate banana. The yummy snacks come in 1o oz single serve pouches as well as resealable 4 oz bags and are made with good-for-you ingredients like whole grain oats and chia, so they're filling, Bauer says.

16 of the Most Stylish Weekender Bags for Women

Best Backpacks for Work, Travel

Luggage Perfect for International Travel

15 Essential Travel Accessories to Pack Now

These Travel Dresses Are as Comfy as Sweatpants

25 Best Beach Hats for Sunny Days Ahead

Comfy and Cool Travel Pants for Your Next Getaway

The Best Places to Travel Alone

20 Makeup Bags That’ll Keep You Organized

34 Stimulating Things to Do Alone

The Best Fanny Packs for Hands-Free Travel

50 Healthy Travel Snacks for Your Next Adventure

You pack outfits designed to suit your travel destination, so why not do the same thing with your snacks? After all, you wouldn’t wear the same thing in the mountains as you would on the beach.

To help make your travel snacking experience as specific to your trip as your outfits, we put together a list of healthy travel snacks suited for a variety of destinations and activities.

These wholesome travel snacks are easy to pack and eat, and we hope they add a little something to your travel experience. Bon voyage!

Travel Destination: The Lake

1. seabear ready-to-eat wild salmon.

Salmon captures the spirit of your lake adventure, and it’s also packed with good-for-you nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, that will keep you energized for long days of swimming and sunning. SeaBear makes salmon snackable by packing it into convenient pouches that are perfect for travel snacking.

2. Roasted Pine Nuts

The fresh, herbaceous air of your lakeside retreat demands fresh, herbaceous flavors to snack on. These roasted pine nuts from Healthy Recipe Ecstasy feature the nuanced flavors of thyme and parsley, and they serve up magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E to make you feel good.

3. BareSnacks Apple Chips

These wholesome apple chips help you get your daily apple fix when you’re on the go. Toss a few bags of bare in your suitcase so you can enjoy the flavor of fresh apple slices without worrying about browning or refrigeration.

4. Incredi-Puffs

Bring on the jet skis and the parasailing! Incredi-Puffs (available in a flavor for any craving) are incredibly light and incredibly flavorful. They satisfy your hunger without weighing you down, so you can be free to swim, jump, float, and play.

5. Field Trip Turkey Jerky

You can’t weigh down your boat with heavy snacks! Choose a snack that packs a lot of satisfying nutritional oomph into a lightweight, protein-rich package that will annihilate any hunger pangs that strike mid fishing trip. Bring Field Trip turkey jerky on all your lakeside excursions.

6. Pistachios

Snack on some in-shell pistachios to keep your hands busy while you spend hours listening to soft lake waves lapping on the rocky shore. While you’re relaxing and snacking, you’ll also be getting a champion dose of protein and fiber.

7. Ginger Root Thrive Bites

Thrive Bites provide serious nutrition in a convenient little bite, so you can get your snack on and get back to your lakeside activities in no time. Munch on them when your friend takes over rowing or when there’s a lull in your cornhole game.

Light and airy popcorn is the perfect way to satisfy your snacking tendencies while keeping yourself looking svelte in that swimsuit you’ll be living in at the lake.

9. In-Shell Sunflower Seeds

Packed with heart-healthy selenium, in-shell sunflower seeds make the perfect snack for those lazy lake days. You could pound a few bags of potato chips in a few hours, or you could spend the same amount of time slowly munching on some healthy in-shell seeds.

Travel Destination: The Beach

10. seaweed snack roll-ups.

Grab your favorite packaged seaweed snacks, rice, and veggies and roll up some nutritious snacks that will become a beach-house favorite and a healthy vacation staple for years to come. Get the recipe from Veggies Don’t Bite .

11. GimMe Organic Seaweed Snacks

If you don’t have time to turn seaweed snacks into the roll-ups above, then eat seaweed alone from GimMe Snacks for a super light and nourishing snack that will make you feel at one with the sea. One serving of these mineral-rich beach snacks has only 25 calories. Does that even count?

12. No-Bake Coconut Crack Bars

Blame it on the smell of sunblock or those gorgeous tropical trees, but whatever the reason, it’s a universal truth that coconuts and beaches belong together. These sweet coconut treats from Chocolate Covered Katie are packed with nutrient-dense coconut, and they’re super easy to make.

13. Dried Mango

Available at any grocery store, healthy dried mango will make the perfect mid-afternoon snack when you’re lounging on the beach. It won’t fill you up, it has fresh and satisfying flavor, and it has plenty of natural sugar to give you energy until sunset.

14. Stretch Island Fruit Leather

These fruity strips each contain 1/4 cup of real fruit. Throw them into your beach bag for a quick, healthy, and satisfying snack that’s also beachbody friendly.

15. Lemon Macadamia Nut Cookies

Beach trips require fresh island flavors that taste right at home in the sun and the sand. These nutty, lemony cookies by Cotter Crunch cover everything we look for in a beach snack. They’re a little sweet, super refreshing, and vegan.

16. Macadamia Nuts + White Chocolate + Dried Bananas

Trail mix is a thing, so why not beach mix? Just toss your favorite beachy flavors into a bag for some healthy anytime snacking. We love the combination of white chocolate, manganese-rich macadamia nuts, and crispy dried bananas.

17. Plantain Chips

The salty, tropical flavor of plantain chips just seems to belong on a beach. Plus, plantains are packed with vitamin C and vitamin A to make you feel good. Snack on plantain chips all day or serve them alongside some healthy grilled fish to make a beachy side dish.

We recommend barnana’s new line of plantain chips .

18. The Real Coconut Tortilla Chips

Add some beachy flavor to your average chips and salsa by swapping your standard corn chips for some subtly sweat, tropical coconut-flour chips .

19. Hawaiian Luau BBQ Kettle Style Potato Chips

Whether your beach trip takes you to Hawaii or not, these luau potato chips need to make an appearance on your trip. They pack all the flavor or a real luau into a convenient bag, and they’re kettle cooked in healthy oils, following the Hawaiian tradition. You do not have to be in Hawaii to eat and party like a Hawaiian, especially when you have these chips on hand.

Travel Destination: The Mountains

20. clif bars.

Even if you’re not rock-climbing like the dude on the famous Clif Bar wrapper, you can still enjoy one of these bars on your mountain journey. These bars are packed with rolled oats and soy protein, and they’re designed to provide lasting energy for a variety of adventures.

21. Chukar Cherries Dried Rainier Cherries

With no sugar added, t hese dried organic Rainier cherries capture all the crisp sweet flavors of mountain air. (We know you’ll be getting enough of that on your mountain adventure, but these cherries make one awesome anytime snack.) They’re filled with fiber and natural sugar for lots of energy.

22. Moon Cheese

If you’re a cheese lover, then you’ve probably daydreamed of a cheese that doesn’t require refrigeration, a cheese you can take anywhere. Meet Moon Cheese . The manufacturers developed a process to remove the moisture from cheese. They packed the delicious result into a handy package that lets you eat cheese anywhere.

If you ever go to the Moon, you could probably eat this snackable cheese there, too.

23. Thunderbird Cacao + Hemp + Walnut Bar

These vegan, grain-free bars taste like adventure. They’re packed with rich cacao, earthy hemp seeds, creamy coconut, and a burst of mint. They taste a bit like a powerhouse brownie, and they’ll keep you energized whether you’re traveling up or down a mountain or just sitting by the fire.

24. That’s It! Bean and Pea Bar

We love how the world is embracing the savory protein bar! The name of these bars says everything you need to know to be sold on this snack. Each one is packed with high-protein beans and peas—that’s it!

That’s It bars are gluten-free and non-GMO. They’ll give you hours of energy that only sets you back 90 calories. We recommend them for a pre-hike or mid-mountain snack.

25. 5-Minute Peanut Butter Energy Bites

A quick visit to any grocery store (or the general store) will get you all the ingredients you need to make these tasty energy bites from Ambitious Kitchen . They travel well, so you can throw them in your bag for a quick pick-me-up when you’ve halfway up your summit.

And of course, they only take 5 minutes to make, so you can have your snack packed and ready to go before your friend gets out of the shower.

26. Justin’s Classic Almond Butter Packets

Justin’s almond butter packets are pure goodness in a pouch. Healthy high-protein almond butter will help you power through your day. Plus, these handy little packs won’t weigh down your bag or your body. Spread the almond butter on some apple chips or just eat it alone—we won’t judge.

27. Barnana Original Banana Bites

These awesome travel snacks are made from bananas and nothing else. They’re perfect when you’re craving sweets, and they provide an invigorating jolt of potassium.

28. HannahMax Original Cookie Chips

Mountain living leaves no time for baking cookies. If a cookie craving strikes when you’re enjoying the wonders of nature, then reach for these handy Cookie Chips.  HannahMax Cookies combine the convenience of a chip with the wholesome, comforting flavor of Grandma’s cookies.

They’re made of fresh butter, cage-free eggs, and cane sugar. One serving has just 130 calories.

29. Made in Nature Kale Chips

If you’re camping in the mountains, you might be missing your usual daily salads. Get your kale fix with Made In Nature Kale Chips , available in lots of tasty flavors. The chips pack all the benefits of kale into a convenient package that can survive in your car or the bear locker.

Travel Destination: A Road Trip (aka The Car)

30. diy “road mix” formula.

Now that we’ve tried trail mix and beach mix, it’s time to give “road mix” a chance. To make it, we recommend combining one dried bean or legume, a whole grain, a protein-rich nut or seed, and a fruit. We love dried chickpeas, granola, pumpkin seeds, and blueberries.

31. Dried Wasabi Peas

Available in the bulk-food section of most grocery stores, healthy dried wasabi peas are perfect for car rides because the extreme flavor of the wasabi keeps you from overdosing on your snack, even as the monotony of winding roads has you munching endlessly.

32. Dried Edamame

Crispy dried edamame makes a satisfying and healthy stand-in for potato chips. Edamame is full of protein and fiber to sustain you on long car rides. You can find it at any grocery store, or you can even roast it yourself.

33. Carcorn (Popcorn for the Car)

Popcorn is the perfect on-the-road snack. You can eat cups of the stuff and that’s okay, because a serving size of popcorn is usually about 3 cups. Popcorn is light, and it provides a huge amount of crunchy fun in a minimal calorie package. Make you “carcorn” stand out by trying a fun recipe, like this sweet-and-spicy wasabi version from Kitchen Confidante .

34. Healthy Homemade Lollipops

When you were a kid, did your parents give you lollipops when you went on family road trips? Maybe they were just trying to keep you quiet, but wasn’t eating the lollipops still a fun and delicious experience?

Snack on the Food Network’s healthy versions of the classic lollipop, made with fresh citrus zest, to keep your taste buds busy while you’re on the road.

35. Healthy Homemade Fruit Gummies

Healthy fruit gummies are super satisfying to chew when you get stuck in that traffic you forgot to navigate around. These better-for-you gummies from A Side of Sweet feature wholesome honey and fruit or vegetable juice, so you don’t have to feel guilty about eating them.

36. Healthy Homemade Hard Candy

Hard candy is another boon for long car rides. Hard candy lasts forever, and it’s pretty much made for relieving stress and boredom. This hard candy recipe from Manu’s Menu includes honey and lemon juice.

37. Pamela’s Oat Blueberry Lemon Whenever Bars

These gluten-free bars combine oats, chia seeds, and tasty coconut sugar into a snack you can eat any time you want, even when you’ve been driving for so long, you really can’t remember whether it’s time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Travel Destination: The Great Outdoors (aka Campsite)

38. healthy s’mores bars.

Camping and s’mores? It’s predictable but totally necessary. The surprise here is that you can make better-for-you vegan s’mores bars to get your chocolatey, mallowy, graham-cracker fix. These bars from the Conscientious Eater feature whole-wheat flour, oats, and vegan marshmallows.

39. Country Archer Hickory Smoke Turkey Jerky

This jerky packs the magic smells and flavors of camping into a healthy snack filled with clean protein. Country Archer turkey jerky provides you with plenty of energy for chopping wood, building fires, pitching tents, and so much more.

40. Healthy Chex Mix

You might not be in the Scouts anymore, but the snacks of your childhood camping trips are as good as they ever were. This mix recipe from Simple Roots Wellness puts an adult spin on your favorite snack by combining healthy coconut, dried cranberries, wholesome walnuts, and rich molasses.

41. Sinless Samoa Balls

Eat Bird Food’s lightened-up version of a quintessential camping treat features dates, almond butter, and coconut, so you can get your fix of the summertime camping flavors you crave without all the calories.

42. AgStandard Ranch Almonds

Big-on-flavor  ranch smoked almonds are perfect for satisfying those inevitable real-food cravings that spring up during camping trips. Plus, lean, protein-rich almonds will leave you feeling much better than any ranch dip ever did.

43. Forager Project Wasabi Greens Pressed Vegetable Chips

Camping is all about getting back in touch with nature. We don’t recommend foraging for yourself unless you know what you’re doing, but we do recommend snacking on the Forager Project’s Wasabi Greens Pressed Vegetable Chips . You can practically taste the nature in these chips, which are packed with cucumber, kale, spinach, and more.

44. Smashmallows

A healthy marshmallow that’s designed for you to snack on shamelessly? Yes, it does exist. Smashmallows are made with organic sugar and they’re gluten-free. Plus, many of the flavors have only 80 calories per serving.

45. Rosted Actually Spicy Crunchy Lentils

Rosted’s packaged crunchy lentils do something we’ve been yearning to do for years—make lentils snackable. These roasted lentils are low in calories and high in protein and fiber, making them the perfect clean snack for any kind of camping excursion.

46. Healthy Nut/Seed Butter Sandwiches

Give your favorite lunch-box sandwich a healthy shake-up that will fuel your high-energy camping vacation. Just swap out boring white bread for some seeded, whole-grain goodness; we’re talking about the kind of bread with chunks.

Then choose your favorite unsweetened nut or seed butter and trade in sugary jelly for some naturally sweetened jam, sliced fruit (like bananas, strawberries, and figs), or even carrot slices.

47. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Medjool Dates

These organic, non-GMO dates have the kind of natural fruit sugar your body can turn right into energy. Snack on a few during a biking excursion for a quick energy boost. These powerhouse fruits also contain potassium and iron.

48. Annie’s Homegrown Organic Honey Graham Crackers

Even if you’re not planning to make s’mores on your camping trip, you’ve gotta have some graham crackers. And if you’ve gotta have some graham crackers, you better make sure they’re the healthy kind. Annie’s Organic Honey Graham Crackers are made with organic wheat flour, so they contain 8 grams of whole grains.

49. Quinn Popcorn Popping Kernels

Light, plant-based, and 100% natural, popcorn is a great choice when you need a healthy snack. Quinn makes the finest popcorn available, and you can use their wholesome popping kernels, foil, and few simple ingredients to make fresh, whole-grain popcorn over the campfire.

50. Bear Real Fruit YoYos

The cute bear on the package of these real-fruit snacks fits the camping theme perfectly, but that’s not the only reason these healthy snacks are perfect for camping. Each fruit YoYo is made with real fruits and vegetables, has no added sugar, and gives you one of your recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

They also pack and store well—a major bonus.

What’s your favorite travel snack? Let us know in the comment section below!

(PS – Be sure to join our  Dollar Snack Club  and get 6 delicious & healthy snacks for only $1! )

Additional Resources: 

• 121 Easy & Delicious Healthy Snacks For Every Type of Snacker
• 32 Tasty & Healthy Vegan Snacks to Fight Off Cravings
• 31 Guilt-Free Healthy Sweet Snacks That Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
• 23 Incredibly Tasty & Healthy Snacks to Buy Right Now
• 25 Healthy Snacks That Are Perfect For When You’re On The Go
• 35 Healthy Protein Snacks to Keep You Feeling Full & Satisfied
• 30 Field-Tested Healthy Snacks for Kids
• 31 Healthy Low-Carb Snacks to Keep You Full and Energized
• 50 Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks That Taste Amazing
• 28 Guilt-Free Healthy Snacks For Diabetics
• 45 Super Easy & Healthy Low-Calorie Snacks
• 33 Healthy Snacks for Adults Who Need to Refuel
• Sweet, Salty, Sour, or Spicy: These 30 Healthy Snack Bars Cover It All
• 37 Healthy Salty Snacks for When You’re Craving Something Savory
• 30 Healthy Packaged Snacks You Can Feel Good About Eating
• 30 Healthy Filling Snacks to Conquer Your Hunger
• 80+ Healthy Crunchy Snacks Made from Fresh Ingredients
• 20+ Healthy Late-Night Snacks You’ll Crave & Love
• Sweet or Savory: Choose Your Healthy Party Snacks
• 20+ Healthy Snacks for Weight Lose That Are Under 200 Calories
• Here’s How to Enjoy Your Favorite Healthy Snacks on Any Diet
• 20+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Feel-Good Traveling
• 30+ Healthy Pregnancy Snacks with Essential Nutrients
• 30+ Healthy Fruit Snacks That Will Change the Way You Look at Fruit

Interested in a content partnership? Let’s chat!

Get Started

About SnackNation

SnackNation is a healthy office snack delivery service that makes healthy snacking fun, life more productive, and workplaces awesome. We provide a monthly, curated selection of healthy snacks from the hottest, most innovative natural food brands in the industry, giving our members a hassle-free experience and delivering joy to their offices.

Popular Posts

Want to become a better professional in just 5 minutes?

You May Also Like

22 Whole-Grain Snacks You Haven’t Tried in 2024

Thank you..great article!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

SnackNation About Careers Blog Tech Blog Contact Us Privacy Policy Online Accessibility Statement

Pricing How It Works Member Reviews Take the Quiz Guides and Resources FAQ Terms and Conditions Website Accessibility Policy

Exciting Employee Engagement Ideas Employee Wellness Program Ideas Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas Best ATS Software Fun Office Games & Activities for Employees Best Employee Engagement Software Platforms For High Performing Teams [HR Approved] Insanely Fun Team Building Activities for Work

Fun Virtual Team Building Activities The Best Employee Recognition Software Platforms Seriously Awesome Gifts For Coworkers Company Swag Ideas Employees Really Want Unique Gifts For Employees Corporate Gift Ideas Your Clients and Customers Will Love

© 2024 SnackNation. Handcrafted in Los Angeles

• Recipient Choice Gifts
• Free Work Personality Assessment
• Happy Hour & Lunches
• Group eCards
• Office Snacks
• Employee Recognition Software
• Join Our Newsletter
• Partner With Us
• SnackNation Blog
• Employee Template Directory
• Gifts For Remote Employees
• ATS Software Guide
• Best Swag Vendors
• Top HR Tools
• Ways To Reward Employees
• Employee Appreciation Gift Guide
• More Networks

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

15 Essential Travel Snacks That Registered Dietitians Can’t Stop Munching On While Vacationing

• Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN , founder and director of Real Nutrition
• Kara Lydon, RD , registered dietitian and blogger behind “The Foodie Dietitian”
• Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD , registered dietitian and prenatal and postnatal health expert
• Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN , Miami-based registered dietitian nutritionist
• Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RD, CDN , registered dietitian and women’s health expert

That's why we spoke with five leading dietitians to find out what foods are part of their own essential travel snack arsenals —the noshes that help fuel them through many long days spent exploring with enough energy and stamina to enjoy every last lick of vacay. Ready to take on the incredibly important role of snack oversight? From nuts to superfood bars to chocolate (yay!), there’s a munchie here for every occasion.

The 15 travel snacks registered dietitians love to munch on while on-the-go

Kara lydon, rd, ldn, ryt, registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and owner of kara lydon nutrition, 1. a diy snack box filled with cheese, crackers, hummus, and fruit.

“One of my favorite snack hacks for travel is packing my own snack box. You can usually order these on a plane, but they're way overpriced and you don't get to choose your favorite items. I love to include crackers, cheddar cheese from Truly Grass Fed —a sustainable dairy brand from Ireland—grapes, and hummus in mine. This snack contains enough protein, fat, and carbohydrates to hold me over until I reach my destination.”

2. Oatmeal cups

“When traveling during the morning hours, I make sure to pack Bob's Red Mill Organic Oatmeal Cups . You can fill them with coconut milk, Greek yogurt, or your liquid of choice overnight for chilled overnight oats. And if you're flying, you can ask for hot water on the plane and mix it en route. They're packed with whole grain oats, omega-3s from the flax and chia seeds, eight grams of protein, and they're high in fiber and an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin C.”

Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD , registered dietitian based in Charleston

3. dark chocolate.

“Chocolate is a non-negotiable snack when I'm on the go— it satisfies my sweet tooth and provides me with important anti-inflammatory polyphenols. UNREAL's Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems come in a smaller snack pack size, which is great for traveling. Bonus? These vegan gems get their colors from natural sources like beets, radishes, and spirulina instead of artificial ingredients.”

4. Probiotic fruit bars

“Maintaining my gut health is always a goal when I'm traveling. Snacking on That’s It mini probiotic fruit bars helps me fuel my body with beneficial probiotics that help support my balanced gut microbiota. And since these bars contain no added sugars and are made with real fruit, I can feel good knowing that I am doing what I can to meet my fruit intake goals by including these in my diet. I like buying a multi-pack at Sam’s Club before a trip and keeping them on hand when I need an energy boost.”

“ Sunsweet Ones are individually wrapped California prunes that make meeting my fruit quota super simple. Multiple studies even suggest that eating five to six prunes each day may help to prevent bone loss. With no added sugars and three grams of fiber per serving, these prunes are a staple in my travel bag. And since many of us experience gastrointestinal irregularity when we are away from our normal environment, including prunes in a travel snack plan may help support bowel movement regularity—and who doesn't want that?”

“Apples are an easy nosh to include in my snack rotation when traveling. Especially when traveling with kiddos, I love leaning on Envy apples, since their flesh stays fresh (read: not brown) longer and they have a naturally balanced sweetness with a delicious crunch.”

Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN , founder, and director of Real Nutrition

7. superfood bars.

“These vegan whole food bars by Elemental Superfood are delicious, satisfying, and keep me energized with ingredients like whole seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. They have no added sugar and all the great flavor. I never leave home without one.”

“I like to grab pre-portioned packets of pistachios or almonds that fit into my on-the-go fanny pack or backpack. Nuts provide healthy fats, fiber, and protein to keep my energy up and my hanger at bay. Also, they pair really well with fresh fruit if you're looking for a slightly heartier snack.”

{{post.sponsorText}}

Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN , Miami-based registered dietitian nutritionist and National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

9. nut butter.

“I love individual packets or cups of almond butter or peanut butter for traveling. You can eat them right out of the packet on their own, pair one with a piece of fresh fruit, shmear it on top of a piece of toast, or scoop one into a bowl of oats. Nut butters are a great source of heart-healthy fats, plus they provide a few grams of dietary fiber and protein. Almond butter specifically provides 16 grams of heart-healthy fat, seven grams of total carbohydrates, four grams of dietary fiber, and seven grams of protein per two tablespoon serving.”

10. Electrolytes

“A lot of people experience dehydration when traveling. Flying in a plane can cause dehydration due to the altitude, and simply sitting in a car for long periods of time can stop us from drinking as much as usual because we don’t want to have to stop to use the restroom. Having an electrolyte drink or keeping packets with you is a great way to keep your hydration levels up when you are traveling and once you finally get to your final distance to help rehydrate you.”

11. Whole-grain crackers or pretzels

“You can always find either whole-grain crackers or honey wheat pretzels in my travel bag. They provide carbohydrates plus a few grams of dietary fiber and protein, and they're great to carry along with you while traveling because they don’t go bad quickly. Again, traveling can be dehydrating, and if you're going to be in a hot climate, you may be sweating more than usual and need additional sodium. These two snack options can provide that, too.”

“Muesli is a great snack to take with you on the go. It’s a simple mix of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, which means healthy fats, protein, dietary fiber, carbs, and plenty of vitamin and minerals.”

Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD , registered dietitian and author of The Better Period Food Solution

13. nut bars.

“ Perfect Snacks ' bars are ideal for on-the-go travel because they are packed with heart-healthy, fiber-filled nuts like almonds and peanuts. The healthy fats will help keep you less focused on your growling belly and more focused on catching your flight in time.”

14. Chocolate bites

“The healthy real chocolate bites by Mid-Day Squares will both satisfy your sweet tooth and provide sustaining energy to your brain and body, which is crucial for a long day of travel. One square contains six grams of plant-based protein and even has some iron, helping to give you that reinvigorating bump to get you through and beyond a dragged-out travel day.”

15. Pistachios

“These on-the-go pistachio pouches from Wonderful Pistachios make for the easiest travel buddy because they can withstand all the jostling that comes along with a day of travel. Pistachios, whether they're plain, chili, or honey roasted, are a super high-fiber plant-based snack, so you’ll be nourished and filled with a ton of essential vitamins and minerals.”

Wonderful Pistachios — $6.59 Shop Now

Loading More Posts...

The Beach Is My Happy Place—and Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too

Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal.

4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician

These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim Shorts—According to Some Very Happy Reviewers

{{ successMessage }}

Please wait a moment...

Tasty Road Trip Snacks That Are Actually Good for You

Here’s the skinny on what snacks to pack ahead of time and what to look for on the road..

• Copy Link copied

Hit the road fully stocked with snacks that you won’t regret a few hundred miles down the highway.

Photo by Dino Reichmuth/unsplash

We’ve all had that moment at a gas station in the middle of nowhere: You’re several hours into the drive, the next rest stop is 50 miles away, and the only edible thing left in the car is half a pack of chewing gum. Faced with aisles full of candy bars, chips, trail mix, beef jerky, and energy drinks, what do you do?

It’s not a trick question—you can have your road trip snacks and feel good about your choices, too. Outlined below are the major food groups that will nourish your body, along with the best healthy road trip snacks to seek en route to your destination and which foods to pack before you hit the road.

What to Look for in a Healthy Road Trip Snack

Whether you’re staring down a gas station snack aisle or figuring out what to pack from home, here are four categories of healthy road trip snacks to look for:

• Protein: Protein isn’t just essential for body builders; your body needs it to keep all your organs running properly. High-protein snacks like eggs or nut butter will keep you fueled up and full for long stretches of driving.
• Healthy fats : Yes, there’s such a thing as fat that’s good for you . Polyunsaturated fats are required for basic bodily functions such as muscle movement, and because our bodies don’t naturally produce these specific fats, we need to ingest them through food.
• Fruits and vegetables : They contain vitamins and minerals that help form red blood cells, reduce cholesterol, and promote healthy bowel function.
• Complex carbohydrates : A major difference between simple and complex carbs is how quickly they’re digested. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and contain more fiber; both factors keep you feeling full longer.

Goodfish salmon skin crisps are a sustainable, protein-rich alternative to potato chips.

Courtesy of Goodfish

1. Salmon skin chips

Buy now : Goodfish starter pack, $25 for 8 bags, goodfish.com

If you’re an umami fan, Goodfish is about to become your go-to chip replacement. Packed with protein and omega-3 unsaturated fats, the paleo- and keto-friendly crisps are upcycled from Wild Alaskan Sockeye salmon skins that would otherwise go to waste.

2. Dry-roasted edamame or chickpeas

Buy now : Biena Sea Salt Chickpeas, $13 for four, amazon.com

Put down the Cheetos and reach instead for these salty finger foods. Legumes are high in protein and iron but low on carbs, making them a nutritious alternative to pretzels and other crunchy snacks.

3. Nut butter

Buy now : Justin’s nut butter; $10 for 10, amazon.com

Justin’s , Rx , and a number of other brands sell single-serving nut butter packets that nip munchies in the bud. For the full PB&J nostalgia experience with none of the additives, check out Split Nutrition squeeze packets, which combines a variety of preservative-free nut butters and fruit spreads to delicious ends. Embrace your inner first grader with peanut butter and grape jelly, or try the cashew butter with sour cherry spread.

4. String cheese

Mozzarella’s most snackable format is a good source of protein to keep hunger at bay. But don’t go overboard, cheese lovers—each serving contains almost as many grams of fat as protein, which adds up quickly when you’re sitting for long periods of time.

5. Hard-boiled eggs, greek yogurt, or pouches of tuna

Buy now : Itsumo all natural tuna packs, $25 for 5, amazon.com ; Chobani greek yogurt, $1 for 1, amazon.com

You may not care as much if you’re driving solo, but if you’re making the trip with other passengers, they may have unfavorable opinions about hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, and pouches of tuna. All three of these foods are rich in protein and healthy fats, but they don’t smell the best, especially in tight quarters.

6. Nuts and seeds

Buy now : Wonderful salt and pepper pistachios, $4, amazon.com

Pistachios and walnuts are especially good finds as they’re low in calories and carbs, high in fiber and protein. Regardless of your chosen nut, look for options that are unsalted and free of additional flavors (like cheddar, ranch, and barbecue) that will decrease the nutritional value.

Buy now : New Primal Sea Salt Beef Thins, $40 for 8, thenewprimal.com or amazon.com

Again, go for the pure stuff when possible—no Slim Jims or teriyaki flavoring. Look for brands such as the New Primal , which is low in sodium and sugar, made from grass-fed beef, and free of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Buy now : Sabra Classic Hummus Snacker, $3, target.com

As vegetarians and vegans know, hummus is an excellent source of protein. If you forget to pack hummus and baby carrots before you hit the road, keep an eye out for Sabra Snackers when you stop for gas. The single-serving cups come with pita chips or mini pretzels, making them both tasty and convenient.

9. Protein bars

Buy now: Oatmega Vanilla Almond Bars, $20 for 12, amazon.com or amazon.com ; Rx Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars, $19 for 12, rxbar.com or amazon.com ; Exo Cocoa Nut Cricket Protein Bar, $30 for 12, exoprotein.com or amazon.com ; Primal Kitchen Coconut Lime Protein Bars, $24 for 12; primalkitchen.com or amazon.com ; Aloha Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars, $30 for 12, aloha.com or amazon.com

When all else fails, go for a protein bar. Just make sure you buy something that’s actually good for you, not a glorified candy bar that tastes like cardboard. Start with Bon Appetit ’s favorite protein bar brands, which include Oatmega, Rx , Exo , Primal Kitchen , and Aloha .

As if we needed another reason to love avocados.

Illustration by svtdesign/Shutterstock

10. Avocados

Remember to pack a spoon and a resealable bag where you can discard the skin and pit. Also note that this suggestion is for pure avocado, full of (healthy) monounsaturated fat, not guacamole. If you’re spooning store-bought guacamole straight from the container to your mouth, we have no less respect for you but do caution that some of the fruit’s nutritional value is going to be lost in the mix.

Buy now: Olove’s 50-calorie Packs, $29 for 30, amazon.com

Salty, refreshing, and immensely flavorful, olives are also chock full of healthy fats to keep you feeling good on the road. If you love olives but not enough to pack an entire jar, check out Olove’s 50-calorie packs .

12. Chia seeds or flax seed

Buy now: Organic Black Chia Seeds, $7, target.com

These snack ingredients require a little prep work. Plan on an overnight soak to make chia seed pudding for your road trip, pack flax seed crackers to go with hummus or avocado, mix either into overnight oats. Have fun with it.

Healthy fats are admittedly difficult to find at gas stations and convenience stores. Those driving on the West Coast may see single-serving cups of avocado spread, and smoothie chains such as Jamba Juice offer chia seeds as add-ins. Your best bet is to plan in advance and buy these kinds of snacks online or at the grocery story before you hit the road.

Balancy healthy fats with veggies such as celery sticks to avoid lethargy on long drives.

Illustration by LAN02/Shutterstcok

13. Sliced vegetables

Carrots and celery are high in fiber and water content, low in fat and calories. If you’re lucky enough to find either on the road, they’re usually paired with unhealthy dips such as ranch and cream cheese. Stop temptation in its tracks and pack your sliced veggies ahead of time.

14. Freeze-dried fruit and veggies

While freeze-dried snacks often resemble astronaut food, the resulting product tends to explode with flavor. (Don’t believe us? Try the freeze-dried strawberries at Trader Joe’s.) The crunch adds to the snackability, making it easy to ingest all those vitamins and minerals. You might even want to split this snack into portions so you don’t eat it all at once.

15. Vegetable juice powder

Buy now : Athletic Greens, $107 for 30 travel packs, athleticgreens.com

Concerned about the sugar in freeze-dried fruits and the lifespan of fresh vegetables in a hot car? Throw all your excuses out the window with vegetable juice powder, also known as green powder . Buy ahead of time and shake in a bottle with water or juice to power up on vitamins in a flash.

16. Pickles

Buy now : Old Bay Pickles, $12, mouth.com

This is one case in which you’d benefit from bringing the whole jar. The low-calorie snack is great for munching, and sipping on the pickle brine helps restore electrolytes .

17. Kind bars

Buy now: Kind Bars, $15 for 12, kindsnacks.com

These minimally processed bars are made from fruit, nuts, and seeds, ensuring you get all of the nutrients and none of the filler. Bonus: They’re gluten-free.

18. Fresh fruit

Depending on where you’re driving to or through, you may pass stands for fresh fruit. Support local farmers and stock up! What you find at these stands will likely be much fresher than what you would find at the grocery store.

19. Dried fruit

Buy now: Organic Dried Mango (with no added sugar), $14 for 1lb, nuts.com

This recommendation comes with one glaring caveat: Avoid anything with added sugar. If the ingredients list anything other than the fruit itself, reshelf that bag.

20. Coconut chips

Buy now: Dang Toasted Coconut Chips, $20 for 4, amazon.com

While not terribly filling, these crunchy nibbles will satisfy a sweets craving without breaking the caloric bank. We love the fun, Asian-inspired flavors by family-run Dang Foods .

21. Vegetable juice

In most cases, you’ll want to look for low-sodium V8 , which is available at most convenience stores. Check the nutrition facts before going to the register since excess sugar will negate a lot of the health benefits.

Pair the antioxidants in dark chocolate with the complex carbohydrates in popcorn for a highly addictive treat.

Courtesy of Drizzled Popcorn

22. Popcorn

Buy now: Drizzled Popcorn, $5, safeandfair.com ; Skinny Pop, $16, amazon.com

As is the case with nuts and jerky, steer clear of flavor additives. Skinny Pop is a good choice for basic, prepopped popcorn. For something dangerously addictive, try Safe + Fair’s Drizzled Popcorn , a very mild kettle corn with ribbons of dark chocolate. Your greatest challenge will be sharing with your fellow passengers—Drizzled Popcorn is that good.

23. Puffed rice cakes

Buy now: Qaker Lightly Salted Rice Cakes, $3, target.com

Think of these plain rice cakes as fiber-rich vessels for more flavorful items in your cooler, such as hummus, avocado, olives, or nut butter.

24. Overnight oats

Get the recipe: Overnight oats, loveandlemons.com

Dress up your plain, rolled oats with almond milk, yogurt, fruit, sliced nuts, shredded coconut, chia seeds, or anything else that strikes your fancy. The more you load up on things you love, the more likely you are to reach for the overnight oats instead of pulling over for fast food at the next rest stop.

25. Whole-grain crackers

Buy now: Triscuit original, $3, amazon.com

In this case, you’ll want to look for function over flavor . Try to find something with at least four grams of fiber. Then pair the crackers with string cheese, a Split Nutrition packet, or another tasty ingredient you’ve packed for the road.

How to pack your road trip snacks

Don’t wait until you’re on the road to find out how long cheese and hard-boiled eggs last without refrigeration. These four pieces of gear will help prevent the majority of your road trip snack woes.

Pack a cooler

Buy now: Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler, $200, yeti.com

Keep perishable items chilled with a cooler that’s made for long hauls. The Roadie 24 Hard Cooler from Yeti is slim enough to squeeze behind the driver’s seat, tall enough to fit a bottle of wine (just saying), and insulated enough to keep ice frozen for four or more days . When you’re toting snacks such as string cheese, pickles, eggs, tuna, or yogurt, your passengers will thank you for keeping everything nice and chilled.

Remember the ice packs

Buy now: Yeti Ice, from $15, yeti.com

Avoid the hassle of discarding melted ice and refilling the cooler at gas stations and motels by bringing reusable ice packs. Yeti sells three different sizes of its ice packs, which reach lower temperatures than water-based ice and stay cold longer. When the durable packs finally do begin to thaw (exact timing depends on the size of the ice pack and the quality of the cooler), they do so without leaving “sweat” or condensation behind, meaning you won’t need to worry about damp or soggy treat containers.

Save space with collapsible containers

Buy now: Prepworks Collapsible Storage Bowls with Lids (Set of Three), $15, bedbathandbeyond.com

Even the most spacious car cabin has limited real estate, so do yourself a favor and pack homemade snacks in Tupperware-style containers that are not just reusable but also collapsible—the less room you occupy with clunky, empty containers, the better. The set of three by Prepworks includes multiple sizes in bright colors that make them hard to lose. This versatile set is also safe to use in microwaves, freezers, and dishwashers, making them a convenient addition to any food storage collection.

Consider reusable cutlery

Buy now: Sea to Summit Delta Cutlery Set, $10, moosejaw.com

While treats such as popcorn and carrot sticks are ideal finger food, not all snacks are created equally consumable. Sure you could eat avocados and overnight oats sans cutlery, but the car upholstery will never forgive you. Rather than creating waste with disposable utensils, invest in reusable cutlery that will also come in handy on a camping trip. The Delta Cutlery Set from Sea to Summit includes a fork, a knife, and a spoon, connected by a carabiner clip for both easy removal and easy organization.

>>Next: The 17 Best Weekend Bags for a Quick Getaway

35 of the Best Healthy Snacks for Plane Travel

If you are looking for healthy snack options for your next air trip, you are at the right gate. Read on and you the best healthy snack for plane travel.

Life is like a book, and traveling is one of the best ways to write it. We all like to travel, but sometimes, thinking about packing everything properly and getting to the airport on time can generate some stress. The mere hustle and bustle of preparing everything correctly for our trip sometimes don’t leave us space to stop to think about what we are going to eat in the terminal or on the plane, especially if the flight is long. 

Some may simply think of buying food at the airport, but if you are an experienced traveler, you will know this is not always the best option. Packing your food for the trip may sound like a silly thing to do, but the truth is that it can be the best option, especially if you want to save some money and you are a health-conscious traveler.

The truth is, there are plenty of pre-packaged healthy snack options available online, and when it comes to making your own healthy snacks at home, you don’t have to be the most expert cook or come up with complicated or time-consuming recipes. If you’re looking for a bit of guidance on the best healthy snacks for plane travel, you are heading in the right direction. This article brings you a well-studied selection of practical, nutritious, tasty, and TSA-approved snacks. But first, let’s start by answering a ubiquitous question, especially among enthusiastic travelers.

Are you Allowed to Pack Healthy Snacks for Your Plane Flights?

Quick answer, yes. You can bring your own healthy snacks for travel as long as they are under the TSA liquid security regulations. Any liquid foods like yogurt, or spreads like peanut butter, must follow the 3-1-1 liquid rule. In short, this means that any liquid or spreadable item, gel or spray, must be in a 3.4 Oz or 100ml container or less. Nonetheless, meals you buy after passing the airport security checkpoint do not need to follow this regulation. As long as you buy it at the airport, you can take with you all the liquid or spreadable food you want.

So, what kind of snacks can I take on my trip? Actually, the TSA snack rules are pretty clear and straightforward: 

“ Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage .”  

So any solid food like sandwiches, chips, crackers, even pasta, you should be able to get them through TSA security with no problem. When we talk about foods that you cannot take on your plane trip, we refer to foods that are not TSA-approved, such as liquids and pastes in containers larger than 3.4 Oz, like juices, yogurt, coconut water, hummus, or peanut butter.

There are no restrictions on what you can take on the plane regarding international travel. However, there are restrictions on what type of food can enter the country in some borders. Australia, for example, has strict regulations about what food travelers can bring in and will confiscate any home-cooked food and any fresh produce you have in your carry-on or luggage.  

Thus, if you’re traveling internationally, it’s best to eat the food you brought with you while you’re in flight. In this way, you will avoid any inconvenience or having your food thrown away when you try to enter your destination country. If you want to bring a snack but are unsure if you will eat it, try to get a pre-packaged snack like chips, crackers, or protein bars .

As a matter of courtesy to other passengers on the plane, try to avoid bringing smelly foods such as tuna, onions, or garlic and allergens such as peanut butter or any peanut-based product. Additionally, avoid bringing messy meals or liquid foods that you can easily spill. For example, it’s good to remember that yogurt tends to explode when you open it at a high altitude. If you choose to take yogurt with you on your flight, try to open it slowly to allow air to escape without making a mess. Keep the same in mind for any food packaged in a way that it feels pressurized when you’re at altitude.

How to Pack Healthy Snacks for Plane Flights?

The best way to stick to your diet is to try to eat at home, plan your meals in advance, and eat well before leaving for the airport. But if you don’t have enough time to cook, you can always pack a healthy snack to take with you when you have to catch a flight. 

Although packing your snacks to get through airport security is no big deal, it’s good to keep certain factors in mind to avoid any hassle or inconvenience. If you’re wondering how to pack your healthy snacks for airline flights properly, here are the things you should keep in mind: 

• Make sure the food you want to bring is TSA-approved.  
• Pack all snacks in a zip bag or if you have food containers, store them in a single layer of your carry-on or luggage so you can pull them out quickly when going through security. This way, you will also protect the rest of the bags if something gets worn or spilled. 
• If you carry any liquid, check that it falls within the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rules.  
• Pack your own napkins.

Non-Perishable Healthy Snacks for Plane Flights

Among the best healthy snacks for plane travel, trail mix is ​​one of the healthiest and most nutritious options. Nature’s Garden Trail Mix combines the best nuts and berries in one easy-to-carry package.

Protein Bar

When it comes to convenient and healthy snacks to take on plane trips, protein bars definitely have a place on the podium. The RXBAR brand variety pack offers different flavors so that you can choose your favorite according to your tastes.

High protein content, low in calories, and packed with nutrients and antioxidants. If you like salty snacks, a packet of shelled and salted pistachios can be a perfect option to take with you when traveling by plane. There are many brands available on the internet, and, likely, some in-airport stores will also sell them if you do not have time to buy them beforehand.

Salt and Vinegar Packaged Almonds

Almonds by themselves are an intelligent choice packed with vitamins and antioxidants . Covered in salt and vinegar, they are truly irresistible and can be the perfect addition to salads or as a side dish.

Chickpea Crunchy Snacks

Roasted chickpeas are some of the best healthy snacks for plane travel, as they are both delicious for your health. They’re packed with fiber and protein and contain less fat than peanuts, making them a perfect healthy snack option for airline travel.

String Cheese

You can eat it plain or combine the string cheese with a handful of walnuts and a little apple, and you’ll have a complete meal in-flight. At 80 calories each strand, it’s a great on-the-go choice for your air travel.

If you are looking for some non-refrigerated snack options and a Doritos fan, you can opt for some beans-made chips. They have more protein, more fibers, and are just as tasty and better for your health.

Organic Chickpea Puffs

If we’re talking about health-conscious snacks to take on your air travels, we should definitely mention crispy chickpea puffs. With an exquisite cheese flavor and packed with protein, these organic chickpea snacks will deliciously satisfy your hunger.

Moon Cheese

If you are looking for an option to satisfy your munchies healthily while you are flying, the moon cheese may be what you are looking for. Cheesy, salty, and crispy, Moon cheese has everything we generally look for in a snack while being gluten-free, high in protein, and a tremendous source of calcium.

Meat Bars or Snack Strips

Meat bars are a convenient option, full of protein, and will keep you full during your flight. In addition, you can find them in many airports in case you do not have time to pack them beforehand.

Pretzel Sticks

Pretzels are a snack of choice for many people, and what better than taking them with you on your flight? You can find many different brands of pretzel sticks online, and these can go perfectly with various foods or on their own. You can spread them with hummus, mustard, cheese spread, or chocolate if you like sweets, and they will keep you full during your air travel.

Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies

If you are looking for an organic, different, and delicious option to take on your flight, Annie’s cheddar bunnies may be ideal. They’re made with organic ingredients and real cheese, they’re GMO-free, and they’re a fun and healthy option to satisfy your cravings on the go.

Grab and Go Healthy Snacks for Plane Flights

Cut vegetable mix.

If you have the option of bringing a container of food on your flight comfortably, a mix of cut vegetables can be the perfect meal for your trip. You can combine the vegetables you like the most and make them your preference. It may take a moment to prepare before you leave, but if you can do it, it is one of the best options to ensure a healthy meal during your plane trip.

Greek Yogurt

There are few healthy grab-and-go snack options as tasty and convenient as Greek yogurt . Chobani’s Creamy Lower Sugar Greek Yogurt Single Servings may be the perfect pick to take with you to satisfy your hunger before you head into the airport.

Instant oatmeal

Although it may sound unlikely, it’s entirely possible to make instant oatmeal quickly and easily on the plane. All you have to do is ask for a glass of hot water, mix it with your packet of instant oatmeal, and you will have a filling snack, rich in fiber and full of Omega 3 in a matter of seconds.

Low Sugar Cereal

Low-sugar cereal may be all you need to satisfy your in-flight hunger. There are many low-sugar cereal options to choose from online, and even plenty of keto-friendly choices if you’re following this diet.

Unsweetened Dried Fruit

And we mean dried fruits with no added sugar because, yes, dried fruits have their own natural sugar, as well as nutrients and vitamins, which makes them an excellent choice to take as a snack for your plane trips.

Fresh Fruit

Of course, fresh fruit had to be on this list of grab-and-go snacks for air travel. Nothing easier than simply opening the fridge, grabbing your favorite fruit, and packing it in your carry-on bag to enjoy later when you’re flying. You can combine the fruit with other snacks and thus have a complete meal. Nevertheless, sometimes a single apple or a couple of bananas is enough to satisfy your cravings for a long time.

Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, you choose the type of berry that you like the most and pack it in your carry-on luggage to enjoy them while traveling by air. You can pre-chill them before leaving for the airport, and the berries will transform into a delicious cold snack to enjoy while admiring the scenery out the plane window.

Carrot Sticks

If you are looking for a crunchy, nutritious, and natural snack to take on your trip, carrot sticks may be the ideal option. Just cut a carrot into small sticks and pack them in your bag to take with you. You can fill a food container or zip bag and enjoy a completely healthy in-flight snack.

We are probably talking about sandwiches if we talk about practical and complete grab-and-go snacks to take on plane trips. You can make a sandwich out of basically anything you can think of, pack it up, and take it with you when you get hungry on the go. To make it healthy, try to use wholemeal bread stuffed with healthy ingredients according to your tastes.

Celery Sticks

Like carrot sticks but with a different nutritional value and flavor are celery sticks. Celery sticks are a great healthy snack to enjoy on your flight, as well as being packed with antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and helping with the digestive process . If you’re trying to stick to your healthy diet while traveling by air, celery sticks are for you.

Frozen Grapes

If you are going to travel by plane soon and are unsure what snack to bring, get some grapes, put them in the freezer, and take them with you to your flight. The grapes will get crispy, and even if they thaw on the way, you’ll have a tasty cold and natural snack to enjoy while you fly.

Chickpea Salad

For this grab-and-go snack, you’ll need a container and a bit of preparation. But without a doubt, chickpea salad is a highly nutritious option and can leave you feeling full for several hours. Also, you can make chickpea salad with different vegetables to your liking, allowing you to give it as much variety as you like.

Sweet Treats as Healthy Snacks for Plane Flights

Dark chocolate-covered almonds.

If you are looking for a sweet snack option to take on your next flight, you will love these Blue Diamond chocolate-covered almonds sprinkled with cocoa powder. They are the perfect sweet snack to take on your trip, rich in protein, fiber, and an excellent source of vitamin E.

Coconut Vanilla Granola Bites

If you want to bring a sweet snack to enjoy on your flight but you want to stay within your healthy diet at the same time, granola bites may be the ones for you. With only 120 calories for the whole package, you can eat them all if you want without feeling any kind of remorse.

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

When it comes to sweets, chocolate is one of many people’s favorites and, when combined with peanut butter, it really can be irresistible. Theo offers a choice of Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups that are truly delicious. These candies made with 85% dark chocolate, in moderation, can be beneficial for heart health while also being packed with antioxidants.

Strawberry Banana Chips

Have you heard of fruit chips? That’s right; it’s a fascinating trend and an excellent sweet snack option to take with you on your trips. You can get strawberry banana chips at many online stores and even at many airports. These sweet treats are great as a topping on Greek yogurt, with instant oatmeal, to add texture and flavor to a salad, or even on their own.

Cashews with Pomegranate and Vanilla

Portable, tasty, nutritious, and definitely tastier than the regular nut mix you get on airplanes. This is the mix of cashews with pomegranate and vanilla from Sahale snacks. Also, if you don’t have time to buy them beforehand, you can most likely get them at any variety store in the airport to enjoy them during your air travel.

Justin’s Squeeze Pack

These nut butter squeeze packets have become almost a standard for sweet and healthy snacking. They are an ideal choice to take with you on your air trip and an excellent complement for fruits, crackers, or any other snack that you take with you.

Quaker Rice Crisps

The classic Quaker Rice Crisps are a sweet and healthy snack option that the whole family will love. They are gluten-free, low in cholesterol, low in fat, high in fiber, and come in a convenient package that is easy to carry in your hand luggage.

Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate and peanut butter is undoubtedly a killer combo that is hard to resist. If you follow a keto diet, this can be a sweet and flavorful snack option to take on your air travels. There are several recipes that you can get online. Just bake a batch of these delicious keto-friendly cookies the night before your trip, and you’re good to go. You will have a tasty and healthy sweet treat to enjoy during the flight.

PB & J Sandwich Bars

If you are a lover of classic flavors, you will love this snack. Van’s PB&J Bars offer a fiber-packed, gluten-free option with blueberries and peanut butter that’s simply delicious. If you’re looking for a healthy sweet treat to enjoy as a snack on your next flight, PB&J bars may be just what you’re looking for.

Apple Chips

Another sweet snack option that you will love and is as healthy as the rest of this list. Apple chips can be a delicious complement to other snacks like yogurt, or you can eat them alone if you prefer. With apple chips, you will enjoy a tasty sweet treat with all the apple’s nutrients, and it will sustain you for a long time during your trip.

Organic Dried Apricots.

Organic dried apricots are the perfect sweet to stick with any diet as they are rich in fiber and are high in iron and antioxidants. You can find different brands selling this product on the internet, and you can probably get it at airport stores as well. If you are looking for a healthy and sweet snack to take on your air travel and have a penchant for nuts, organic dried apricots may be the one for you.

30 Healthy Travel Snacks For Flying

Healthy travel snacks that are easy to pack!

Packing your own food for the airport may sound like a silly thing to do. Most corporate travelers are able to expense their meals, so why bother bringing your own?

There are many reasons to consider packing at least a few healthy travel snacks on your next trip. Any seasoned traveler can share a horror story about a time they were stuck on a plane, on the tarmac for up to three hours with limited water and no snacks. If you travel enough, this scenario is bound to occur and you will be thankful to have a snack while you are stuck.

Packing your own healthy snacks will also help you resist the temptation to buy something unhealthy at the airport (remember-you are flying to work, not on vacation). If you are traveling with a daily per diem, avoiding overpriced airport food provides more money for you to enjoy a nice dinner when you arrive at your destination (hello Morton’s!).

Most importantly, if you have committed to staying on track with your diet or following a specific meal plan, packing your own healthy travel snacks ensures you will stay on track.

Healthy Travel Snack Ideas

• Fresh Fruit (firm fruit is best like a whole apple, so it will not get smashed)
• Bars ( protein bars , fruit/nut bars , natural fruit bars or granola bars )
• Dried Fruit
• Pretzels (in a sealed container or bag to avoid getting smashed)
• Popcorn Chips ( Popcorners  or Popchips )
• Crackers (healthy cracker like Mary’s Gone Crackers )
• Protein Powder in a shaker bottle (add milk or water post security or in-flight)
• Dry oatmeal cup (add hot water post security or in-flight)
• PB&J Sandwich or Wrap
• Nut butter *
• Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
• Granola or healthy, low sugar cereal
• Applesauce or fruit squeezes *

How To Pack Cold Travel Snacks

There are many ways to keep your food cold during travel. You can borrow your kid’s lunch box or pick up a small soft-sided cooler. Our recommendation is to maintain your professional look and travel in style with a 6 Pack Fitness Bag that features an insulated compartment to keep your food cold and additional space to carry your laptop.

Healthy Travel Snacks To Keep Cold

• Cheese Sticks
• Grilled chicken or turkey
• Turkey or Ham Roll Up with Cheese
• Sandwich or wrap
• Grapes, berries or cut melon
• Fresh cut veggies
• Fresh fruit such as grapes or berries
• Greek yogurt*
• Homemade salad (add dressing to salad before security, it is considered a liquid)
• Quinoa Salad

Check out tips for packing cold food and remaining compliant with TSA regulations.

All items with a * are considered gel or liquid by TSA and will have to be 3.4 oz. or smaller and packed with your liquid items following the TSA 3-1-1 regulations.

Stylish Cooler Bags for Travel Snacks

Smelly travel snacks to avoid.

There is nothing worse than being exposed to a strong odor when you are trapped in an air sealed room like an airplane. Prior to packing your food, please keep your future seat mates in mind. Yes, fish is very healthy, but it is incredibly rude to eat fish on an airplane (tuna fish included). I am the first to understand the need to eat protein (fish, eggs, etc.) so just be courteous and eat the smelly food in the airport terminal before you board the plane.

Odorous foods to avoid eating in-flight:

• Fish or Shell fish
• Garlic or Onions (raw or cooked)
• Strong smelling cheese (like Limburger or Silton)
• Anything fermented (Sauerkraut/ Kimchee)
• Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli)
• Hard boiled eggs/ egg salad

Example DIY Airplane Meals

Breakfast : Greek yogurt + dry cereal

Snack : Grapes + nuts

Lunch : Turkey & veggie wrap/ sandwich + apple + granola bar

Snack : Fresh cut veggies + hummus

Dinner : 1 Bag of Pre-Mixed Salad + olive oil/dressing (add this at home & shake with lettuce, discard remaining liquid) + chopped vegetables +  rotisserie or grilled chicken (you can mix all of this in the salad bag to save space and avoid bring an extra container)

Meal Prep Guide for Home & Travel

If you are interested in learning how to prepare meals at home and during travel, our meal prep guide will teach you everything you need to know to get started!

Business Travel Life Meal Prep Guide Features:

• Nutrition basics
• Meal prep basics
• Meal prep tools
• How to meal prep at home
• How to get food through TSA
• How to meal prep during travel
• Easy hotel meal prep ideas
• 30 Healthy Travel Snacks
• 4 easy meal prep recipes
• Example meal plan
• Weekly meal planning list
• Delivered electronically so you can get started immediately!

Click here to download now!

What are your favorite snacks for travel? Please comment below!

Business Travel Life

Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.

Kristina Portillo, CPT, MS

Kristina is the founder of Business Travel Life. Her love of fitness and travel unified to create a resource for business travelers and road warriors who want to take a healthier approach to business travel. She has traveled for business on and off for the past eight years. Kristina received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University and received her Bachelors of Arts in Business Marketing from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

International Travel Tips: How to Prepare for a Business Trip in South America

How to pack healthy food for air travel - tsa food rules and regulations.

You might think about editing this list and not including nuts or items with nuts. Many people are alergic to nuts and deserve to have a safe flight without fear of being exposed to something they are allergic to.

cool beans bruh

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

How to Eat a Healthy Hotel Breakfast

Top Travel Snacks: Protein Bar Edition

Ultimate Airport Fitness Guide: U.S. Edition

AtYourGate: New Delivery Service Available at Select Airports

Holistic Travel Tips for Road Warriors: A Veteran Traveler Shares her Holistic Hacks

17 Healthy Airplane Snacks You Can Bring Through TSA

Published September 23, 2019

Written by:

Jessie Beck

Jessie is a writer, editor, and content marketer who covers travel gear and adventure travel. She’s called many places home...

Fred Perrotta

Co-founder, tortuga.

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

Table of Contents

Can you bring your own snacks on an airplane? Yes, absolutely!

To avoid spending money on expensive airport food and make sure you have lots of healthy options while flying, bring your own DIY snacks and food packed in your carry on or personal item .

For health-conscious and budget-savvy travelers, there’s even more motivation to pack your own airplane snacks. Bringing food from home helps you avoid unhealthy choices at the airport, saves money, and gives you something to look forward to on your flight. 

You don’t have to be a master chef to level up your in-flight food game, either. Many of our favorite in-flight snacks are quick to make and easy to pack. If you’re not sure where to start, these packable, healthy, airplane food ideas will keep you and your travel crew satiated.

Can You Bring Snacks on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring your own snacks from home as long as they’re TSA compliant. Spreadables, like peanut butter, and liquids, like yogurt, must follow the standard 3-1-1 liquid rule . 

Read the Travel Toiletries Packing List for more details on carry on liquid rules.

Foods you purchase after the security checkpoints at the airport do not need to follow the 3-1-1 rule. As long as you’re buying it at the airport, you can enjoy all the in-flight hummus and coconut water you want.

TSA Food Rules: What Snacks Can You Bring on a Plane?

When we talk about food that’s not allowed on an airplane, we’re actually talking about food that’s not allowed through TSA. As mentioned above, you can bring solid foods like chips, crackers, sandwiches, and pasta through TSA in your carry on , but anything liquid or spreadable will have to follow the 3-1-1 rule. So, a 1.15 ounce squeeze pack of Justin’s nut butter is fine, but a four ounce tub of yogurt will be thrown out.

Once you’re past security, this rule no longer applies, and you can bring liquids and spreadables of any size purchased in the airport. So, yes, you could technically bring a sixteen ounce bowl of soup on your flight from the Panera Bread at the airport.

The TSA’s snacks page states:

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

Common foods you can’t bring through airport security include:

• Any liquid (e.g., yogurt, juice, coconut water) over 3.4 ounces
• Any paste (e.g., peanut butter, hummus) over 3.4 ounces

If you have questions about a specific food item, check TSA’s foods page .

What Snacks Can You Bring on an International Flight?

For international flights, there are no restrictions on what you can or cannot bring on the flight. However, at some borders, there are restrictions on what you can or cannot bring into the country. For example, Australia has strict regulations on what travelers can bring past customs and will confiscate any fresh produce or homemade meals you have in your luggage.

If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to eat your food in-flight so you don’t get it tossed at the border. If you want to pack something just in case you’re hungry, but aren’t sure if you’ll eat it, go for a packaged snack like crackers or a protein bar.

Snacks Not to Bring on a Plane

While technically allowed, you should also avoid smelly foods and allergens as a courtesy to your fellow passengers. For your own sake, skip messy foods you could easily spill.

Foods to avoid bringing on an airplane include:

• Smelly foods like tuna
• Allergens like peanut butter or any peanut-based snack
• Liquids that are likely to spill and harder to get through security due to size limits

Also, a word about yogurt. We all know it’s a good last-ditch breakfast option when your airport has few healthy options, but it has a tendency to explode when you open it at high altitudes. If you choose to bring yogurt on your flight, open it veerrrry slowly to escape an in-flight disaster. The same goes for anything else that feels pressurized at altitude.

The best airplane snacks are un-messy, un-stinky food you can enjoy at room temperature, like dried fruit or a sandwich. If you’re bringing anything from home, make sure it’s TSA compliant, and won’t stink up the cabin.

If you’re not sure what to bring, use this list of healthy, packable airplane snack and meal ideas. Even the most amateur chef can pull off these recipes.

Healthy, Packable Meals (with Recipes)

If you have the time and motivation, make one of these healthy, easy-to-pack airplane meals before you hit the road.

Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie (Vegan, Dairy-Free)

For a quick, in-flight breakfast that won’t get smashed, explode, or cause a mess, reach for one of these nutrient-rich and antioxidant-filled blueberry oat breakfast cookies.

Banana Bread (Vegetarian)

Banana bread is another packable airplane breakfast option. For health-conscious travelers, choose a whole-wheat recipe that uses coconut oil instead of butter. Whatever you don’t pack, you can freeze until you’re back from your trip.

Chickpea Salad (Vegan, Dairy-Free)

This easy lunch recipe also works as a make-in-advance airplane meal. The salad is healthy, TSA-approved, and doesn’t need to be reheated. Plus, the recipe is flexible: toss in some feta cheese or cucumbers to make this meal your own.

Chicken and Vegetable Wrap (Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Options)

Wraps are one of the best sandwiches for flights. For a healthy option, make this chicken and vegetable-filled version from the New York Times. If you’ll be on a long flight, skip the lettuce to avoid a wilted mess at mealtime.

Fruit, Vegetable, and Cheese Bento Box (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, and Dairy-Free Options)

Fancy-looking but simple to make, a DIY snack pack is a versatile and easy-to-pack homemade airplane snack. Simply cut up a variety of fruits, cheeses, veggies, and meats. Throw in a few crackers or a piece of bread if you’d like.

Grapes and blueberries are good options for fruits. For cheeses, stick to something low-odor and hard, like parmesan. For meat, go for a dried salami, which is preserved and doesn’t need refrigeration. 

Kale Chicken Salad (Gluten-Free Option)

Salads, the world’s go-to for a healthy meal that’s still tasty at room temperature, are another good airplane food option. To make sure your salad isn’t a mushy mess by the time you board, keep your dressing in a separate (smaller than 3.4 ounce) container. Also, opt for a heartier green like kale, shaved brussels sprouts, or cabbage, which won’t wilt like lettuce or arugula.

Cold Asian Noodles (Gluten-Free and Vegan Options)

You’re an intrepid eater, so why not give your airplane food an international twist with an Asian-inspired cold noodle dish? Sesame soba noodles are a simple classic, but if you want more ideas, check out Brit+Co’s line-up of cold noodle dishes.

Vegan Pasta Salad (Vegan)

For vegans and omnivores alike, recipes like this creamy vegan pasta salad from Love and Lemons are a great food option for air travel . Not only is it delicious, but meat and dairy-free dishes don’t require refrigeration. Even if you don’t end up eating it until halfway through a long flight, it’ll keep.

Chickpea Pan Bagnat (Vegetarian)

A French picnic classic, the pan bagnat is an easy and delicious make-in-advance sandwich option that actually gets better (not sad and soggy) the longer it sits. However, the original recipe has tuna, a major airplane no-no. Instead, try this vegetarian twist with chickpeas to make one of the best sandwiches for long flights.

Airplane Snacks

For short flights or just-in-case-I’m-hungry moments, toss one of these healthy airplane snacks in your bag.

• Dried fruit: Unlike real fruit, you can’t crush these babies. If you’re crossing time zones, go for dried berries. Target (Good & Gather) and Trader Joe’s both have good options without added sugar. I’m partial to Target’s dried mango and pineapple.
• Popcorn: The perfect accoutrement to your in-flight movie binge.
• Almonds: A protein-filled snack to keep you feeling full for longer.
• Crackers: Go for a healthier whole-wheat option that’s great for kids and adults.
• Fruit and veggie slices: Pack a bag of snap peas, apple slices, or any other fruit or veggie you love. 

There are also a few snacks you can make with hot water from the drink service.

• Miso soup : For a warming, in-flight snack, bring a packet of instant miso soup. Just be sure to keep your cup ¾ full, or use a thermos with a lid to avoid any turbulence-induced soup burns.
• Instant oatmeal : Grab a packet of oats or throw some quick oats in a thermos with your favorite toppings.
• Instant noodles : Choose a low-sodium instant noodle, since salty foods exacerbate the dehydration caused by air travel. Again, keep your bowl or food jar only ¾ full.

How to Pack Snacks for an Airplane

With most homemade airplane meals, your food is only as portable as its container. When packing your carefully crafted sandwich, salad, or noodles, make sure to choose a leak-proof container that will keep your food intact. 

Vremi Collapsible Food Container ($20)

Vremi’s line of collapsible containers is leak-proof and will keep your food safe in transit. After you’ve finished your snacks, the container collapses flat so you can stash it in your bag without it taking up as much room as traditional Tupperware.

Zojirushi Food Jar ($28+)

Japanese brand, Zojirushi, makes an affordable but high-quality line of thermoses and food jars designed to keep your warm food warm and cold food cold. If you prefer sturdier Tupperware or want to keep your food hot or cold in transit, use Zojirushi’s food jar to transport your pasta, salads, or snacks.

Stasher Bags ($8+)

Use a reusable, silicone bag from Stasher to transport your sandwich, pretzels, dried fruit, or any other snack you’d normally toss into a Ziploc bag. These bags pack even smaller than collapsible Tupperware and can be reused during your travels or on your return flight home. Like Bee’s wrap, they’ll also help you create less trash while you travel.

Bee’s Wrap ($15+ for 3)

Unlike foil or plastic wrap, you can wash and reuse these natural, beeswax-covered wraps — a plus for eco-friendly travelers who want to reduce the amount of trash they create on the road. Use them to transport sturdier foods, like sandwiches or carrot slices, and pack them on the outside or top of your bag.

Humangear Spork ($4)

If you’re bringing a dish like noodles or salad, you’ll need a utensil. Toss one of these petite, BPA-free sporks by Humangear  in your bag, instead of disposable forks and spoons from airport stores. Go for the titanium spork ($14) for an upgrade.

Snow Peak Chopsticks ($38)

Prefer chopsticks with your noodles? Grab a pair of portable chopsticks from Snow Peak . Made from high-quality stainless steel and bamboo, these chopsticks break in half when not in use and, when put together, form a full-sized chopstick. They’re expensive compared to the $4 spork but incredibly well-made and designed to last. My partner, Jon, has been using his for over ten years.

Snacks on a Plane

You can eat healthier while saving time and money by packing your own foods and snacks in your personal item . Just make sure your food:

• Follows TSA’s 3-1-1 rule : Spreadables, liquids, and liquid-ish foods like hummus, yogurt, and nut butter must be in 3.4 ounce containers or smaller.
• Tastes good at room temperature : Consider sandwiches, cold noodles, and salads.
• Isn’t smelly or messy to eat : Just say no to in-flight tuna.

When packing airplane snacks, consider using eco-friendly collapsible Tupperware, beeswax wraps, silicone sandwich and snack bags, and camping sporks you can reuse throughout your travels.

Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.

• Thick comfortable straps
• Easy to organize
• Durable, waterproof fabric
• Backed by our Worldwide Warranty

Related Articles

What It’s Like to Fly United Basic Economy

How to Make the Most of a Layover in Copenhagen

Tortuga travel backpack pro $350.

Max Carry On Size

Jessie is a writer, editor, and content marketer who covers travel gear and adventure travel. She’s called many places home and traveled to 45+ countries.

She now lives in San Francisco with her husband where she splits her time between traveling, adventuring outdoors, and cooking (okay, eating).

Read more from Jessie

Find the perfect pack for your next trip

Take Our Bag Finder Quiz To Find
The Perfect Bag For Your Next Trip

Bring everything you need without checking a bag.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Learn how food affects your body. Get Free Nutrition Info Today

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

May 31, 2023 by Lindsay Leave a Comment

• Pinterest 1525

Need some healthy road trip snacks? Or just some healthy snacks on the go snacks? Whether it’s vacation, driving to sports practice or a day of running errands, here are some travel snacks you’ll love!

*Originally published 9/21. Updated 5/23*

A couple of years ago I was asked for some ideas about snacks for the car that aren’t super messy so I wrote this post on Low Mess Car Snacks for Kids . I’m finding that a few years later, I still heavily rely on car snacks so I’m always thinking about new ideas. In addition, in the summer of 2021 we drove from Ohio to Minnesota with 3 kids 6 and under. Believe me when I say I packed a lot of snacks.

We also started swim team that summer which meant A LOT of time at the pool. Two years later we’re at the pool even more for swim meets etc and with young kids that means packing a lot of snacks.

I wanted to share some good road trip snacks for kids -both what we packed in our cooler and the non-perishables in case you need more road trip snack ideas! You could also pack a lot of these for plane snacks! Or use these ideas for long days at the pool, hiking adventures and more.

I’ve also already written several snack posts that will have more options for healthy on-the-go snacks.

Healthy Store Bought Snack Ideas

• Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
• Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
• Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks
• After School Healthy Snacks
• Healthy Amazon Snacks
• Lower Sugar Cereals For Kids
• Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
• 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks For Kids

Also be sure to check out The Snack Spark for even more snack ideas!

Homemade Healthy Snack Ideas

As far as homemade snack ideas, I have tons. Especially when it comes to healthy muffins and bars that are good for packing as snacks on the go. Check out the snack category of the blog to browse lots of homemade snack options.

Where to buy healthy snacks online

If you’re looking to buy snacks online vs in-store, you can find lots on Amazon. Here are some individually wrapped snacks . Also check out sites like Thrive Market (requires a subscription) and Vitacost (no subscription required). Nuts.com is another good one, especially if you like to make your own trail mix.

What to look for in healthy snacks

When I talk about healthy snacks with my kids I talk about starting with protein and pairing it with healthy carbs, healthy fats and/or fiber. This combination helps fill us up and helps us stay full for longer periods of time. When packing for a road trip, I try to pack a lot of individual protein options that can then be paired with something else. For example, if my kid asks for crackers, I’ll give them some cheese to go with it. If they ask for a piece of fruit, I’ll give them a yogurt as well.

Good Road Trip Snacks

So here are some good options for road trip snacks!

Healthy Road Trip Snacks For The Cooler

• grapes- I pulled them all off the stems ahead of time
• apples- leave them whole or slice ahead of time and rubberband together to minimize browning
• clementines – you can peel them ahead of time to make it easier
• applesauce cups (or pouches for younger kids to minimize mess)
• baby carrots
• celery sticks – you can even prep ants on a log ahead of time
• bell pepper strips
• String cheese and cheese slices
• Hard-boiled eggs – peel them ahead of time
• Yogurt- yogurt tubes/pouches are less messy for kids. You can also freeze them ahead of time to minimize mess even more 
• Deli turkey & pepperoni – can be eaten with crackers and used to make a sandwich
• Homemade muffins/bars – I have a whole list of Kid-friendly Baking Recipes for bars and muffins packed with veggies and legumes!

Car Travel Snacks (Non-perishable):

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – you can store them in the cooler if you use jelly, or you can skip it, or use honey!
• Bread – for turkey and cheese sandwiches
• Simple Mills & Wheat Thins crackers
• Cheerios cereal – I have a list of Low Sugar Cereals for Kids if Cheerios isn’t your favorite
• Granola bars – Try one of these Healthy Store-Bought Granola Bars for Kids – our favs are KIND, Larabar and Kashi
• Candy – is it the healthiest? No. Will it sometimes save your sanity as a parent? Yes 🙂

Note that we stopped overnight in a hotel with a fridge and I knew the place we were staying had a fridge so I wasn’t worried about packing too much food because I knew we could just eat it throughout the week of vacation. 

I’ve also noticed that sometimes my kids don’t eat a ton in the actual car but then they’re starving when we get to the hotel so it’s nice to have things on hand to give them while we get settled, figure out where we’re going to eat dinner etc. 

What foods are considered non-perishable?

Foods are considered non-perishable if they are canned, dried, preserved or have the water removed. Basically, things that can safely be stored at room temperature without requiring they be put in the fridge or freezer to avoid spoiling.

Is it safe to snack on the go?

While I recognize that eating in the car is generally not recommended as it can be a choking hazard, I’m also a mom with young kids and know that it sometimes can’t be avoided. I found that plastic cups are a great way to pass snacks back to kids because they’re easy for them to hold and they fit in car seat cup holders. If your kids are still rear-facing, make sure you can see them while eating either by sitting near them or at least in a mirror.

Healthy Snacks on the Go

In addition to what’s listed above, here are more ideas:

Healthy Trail Mix

There are tons of great trail mix options at the store but it’s also so easy to make your own. I love this option because you can completely customize it to your liking and even make different blends for different family members. You can also make it safe for toddlers using mixes like this nut-free trail mix .

Plant-based protein

There are tons of dried plant-based proteins on the market right now. Things like roasted chickpeas, broad beans and edamame make a great on-the-go snack. Check out some different brands like The Good Bean , Biena , Bada Bean and more. Plus there are tons of nuts and seeds that you can eat on their own or as a topping etc.

Protein balls

Homemade protein or energy balls/bars are another great option. While I typically keep these in the freezer for storage, they won’t spoil if you pack them for a day trip. Make them with protein powder or without. Here’s my go-to energy balls recipe as well as some kid-friendly, protein-rich energy balls without protein powder.

Snacks the are high in protein

Protein is a key component of a good snack. If you’re looking for some ideas specifically for high protein, check out my list of Healthy High Protein Snack Ideas .

Other protein-rich snacks

Things like tuna pouches, deli meat turkey/chicken or meat sticks like Chomps (aff link) are high in protein and pair well with crackers for an easy snack.

Healthy snacks that are easy to freeze

Waffles and pancakes are actually one of my favorite on the go snacks. I love that you can easily make them ahead of time, whenever you’re not busy, and freeze them. Then just transfer to the fridge the day before you leave and pack them in a ziploc bag. They’re not super crumbly, they’re easy for kids to eat, you can make them with added protein – try our favorite Whole Wheat Pancakes .

More healthy options for a grab and go snack

Things like popcorn, sweet potato chips and dried fruit bars are strips can be great options. We love That’s It bars and Just Bare apple chips. When it comes to dried fruit, larger strips of dried fruit like mango and pears are less likely to be dropped than smaller options like raisins.

Remember that popcorn, whole nuts, roasted chickpeas etc are choking hazards for young kids.

What are your favorite healthy road trip snacks?

Enjoy! –Lindsay–

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Learn how food affects your body.

Get my free Table Talk email series  where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP FOOD LIST: 50 Scrumptious Travel Snacks

Post Summary: The definitive road trip food list with 50 snack ideas and meals to keep you happy the entire car ride. Plus, tips for what else to bring and recommendations for the best road trip coolers.

Road trips are the classic adventure that everyone needs to do at least once in their life, whether you’re traveling solo, with your best buds, or packing in the whole family. What’s the secret to a great road trip? Besides having your maps already downloaded to your phone (travel must #1), it’s to have a collection of the best road trip food at your disposal. Being prepared with good travel food will ensure you don’t:

• Kill your travel mates because you’re hangry.
• Get killed by your travel mates because they’re hangry.
• Get lured in by every gasoline stop and somehow end up with bright orange Cheetos and Slim Jims.
• Waste your travel budget dining on Subway and Wendys road trip meals.

After road tripping with a toddler for half a year around the US, we’ve figured out the ultimate road trip food list so we can enjoy the journey together feeling nourished and happy. Our list includes road trip food ideas for adults and kids as well as healthy car snacks.

After the road trip food list, we’ve included non-food items you’ll want to bring and some tips on choosing the best road trip cooler.

Need More Road Trip Tips? Check out our other articles below:

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 41 Essentials For The Road 160 Fun, Deep, and Sometimes Silly Road Trip Questions 41 Fun and Challenging Road Trip Trivia Questions 17+ Fun Things To Do On A Road Trip How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler 40 Must Have Items To Have In Your Camper

*This road trip food list post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

The Ultimate Road Trip Food List

Healthy snacks for a road trip

We’ll start with healthy snacks for the road. I don’t know about you, but when we go on road trips, we tend to fall back on fast food and junk food. In an effort to have a quasi healthy road trip we make sure to include some healthy options so we can at least feel like we’ve balanced out all our snickers bars and Wendy’s frosties. Here’s our list of the best road trip foods that won’t leave you feeling sluggish at the end of the day. We also added in a few recommendations of some of our favorite brands.

Healthy Snacks For Car Rides 1. Fruit: Bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, apples, oranges 2. Sliced veggies: carrots, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, pickles, radishes 3. Cherry tomatoes 4. Olives (buy the pitted kinds) 5. Salsa 6. Deli sandwiches or wraps (already made from home or pre-purchased) 7. A simple charcuterie spread (summer sausage, pepperoni, sliced cheese, dried apricots, olives, crackers, etc.) 8. Popcorn 9. Yellow corn chips, blue corn chips, kale chips 10. Granola Bars and Energy Bars ( Munk Bars are our favorite! ) 11. Dried Fruit 12. Crackers (cheese crackers, saltines, whole wheat crackers, these almond crackers are my favorite!) 13. Pretzels 14. Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamia, walnuts, pecans) 15. Trail mix 16. Tuna (Get the kind that doesn’t need to be refrigerated! It can become a snack on crackers, a sandwich, or added to a salad) 17. Coconut chips ( Dang chips are our favorite. ) 18. Dark chocolate 19. Wasabi peas 20. Fruit leather 21. Whole-grain muffins 22. Bread (pretzel rolls, pita bread) 23. Water (Preferably in a water bottle like a Hydro Flask that will keep your water cold for hours.) *The following are all still healthy snacks for a road trip but will require a cooler. Skip them if you are going sans cooler. Further down, we’ll talk about the best road trip coolers. 23. Hard-boiled eggs 24. Small yogurt containers or drinkable yogurts 25. Humus 26. Guacamole 27. Pasta salad 28. Lentil salad 29. Grocery store salad kits (Can be eaten out of the bag! Just cut the top, pour in the salad dressing, and shake it away. You can also opt to do salads in a jar) 30. Cheese

Essential Road Trip Snacks

These road trip snacks might not be the healthiest, but look…you can’t always be perfect!

Road Trip Snack List 32. Beef Jerky 33. Chips 34. Fun candy (Any kind of candy that brings you joy for your road trip. Gummy bears, reeses pieces, airheads) 35. Ranch dip to go with your healthy veggies 36. Fun drinks (Just make sure the drink is able to be resealed or small enough that you’ll drink it all quickly. My favorite road trip drink is coconut water!) 37. Cookies

Road Trip Snacks For Kids And Toddlers

While we don’t put a distinction between road trip food for the adults and road trip food for kids, here are some fun ideas you can add in addition to the travel food listed above. We found that allowing for leniency with what we let our kid snack on will mean a more fun time for everyone in the car.

Road Trip Snacks For Toddlers and Kids 38. String Cheese or Babybels 39. Peanut butter pretzels 40. Clementines 41. Squeezable applesauce 42. Squeezable nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter) 43. Graham crackers 44. Goldfish 45. Fruit snacks 46. Fruit roll ups 47. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 48. Dry cereal 49. Nutella 50. Snap pea crisps ( I love the wasabi ones from Harvest Snaps . I can only get them online because my grocery store never has them!)

Essential Non Food Items

Now that you’ve got your travel food and made your road trip food list, let’s talk about non food items to have on your road trip packing list. We are both advocates for minimal waste living so we do advise using reusable items like real utensils, glass containers, and reusable straws rather than single-use items. I know it can feel like a nuisance, but once you get used to doing it, it’s easy to integrate it into your habits. We’ve provided links to different products, so you can check out some good options.

-Trash bags (old shopping bags work well) – Stackable glass or plastic containers (While glass may feel like a hazard, I find that most of them are built for endurance and would require some extreme throwing around to actually break. Either way, bringing containers rather than an entire bag of snacks is a great space saver.) -Reusable straws (we like this multipack option here ) -Bento boxes (another option is to make individual bento boxes with everyone’s preferred snacks put in. It’s essentially a healthier version of a Lunchable. Great option if you’re traveling with kids.) Check out these cute bento boxes here . -Utensils -Plates -Paper towels -Hand sanitizer -Ziplock bags -Wipes -Cups if you want to share drinks -Ice packs for the cooler (We prefer to use reusable ice packs like these , but frozen water bottles or ice cubes in a ziplock back will do the job as well.) -Reusable grocery bag to carry your non-perishable stuff -Plastic tub (If you’re going on a long road trip and will have lots of snacks, a good option is to pack all your non-perishable items in a tub like this .) -Cooler

Related : A Comprehensive Guide To the Best Toddler Carriers For Traveling

Best Road Trip Coolers

If you’re going on a long road trip, you’ll definitely want to bring a cooler so you can have more options for the journey. Things to consider when deciding what kind of road trip cooler to bring.

• How much space will you have in your car?
• How many days will you be driving and subsequently how much food will you need?
• Cost of the cooler
• If you road trip or camp a lot and will use a cooler several times a year.

Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

Our choice for the best road trip cooler is the Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler . It’s a mid-sized cooler that can fit a bottle of wine standing upright. We like its lightweight design and that its compact size can fit on the ground behind the passenger seat.

It has a mid-range price point, so if you are wanting something more economical, you’ll probably want our next pick.

Igloo MaxCold Cooler

If all you need is a no-frills cooler to keep your food cold, the Igloo Maxcold Cooler is a great option. The thin design also makes it a great choice for someone wanting to save room in the car.

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze

If you like a soft cooler, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze consistently offers the best bang for your buck.

Yeti Tundra 45

Lastly, if you are wanting a high-end cooler that will be great for camping and can take the wear and tear of consistent use, the Yeti Tundra 45 is your best bet. Yeti is the reigning champion of coolers and you can’t go wrong with anything you purchase from them.

Before you head out on your epic road trip, we suggest packing the night before. Alleviating as much stress as possible on the day you leave, especially when you’re doing a road trip with a toddler , is key to enjoying the road trip journey. We find that the night before, it’s best to:

• Wash, cut, and peel all vegetables and fruit.
• Pack up all non perishable food and supplies.
• Prepare any road trip sandwiches you plan to eat.

Lastly, don’t forget to make sure all your tasty road trip snacks are within reaching distance in the car.

We hope you enjoyed our complete road trip food list. Happy road tripping!

** For more road trip inspiration follow us on Instagram . We travel… a lot.

NEED SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION? A Complete Guide To A Utah National Parks Road Trip How To Plan A Cross Country Road Trip + Fun Routes To Take 10 National Parks To Visit In The East 50 Family Bucket List Experiences In The US

PIN IT FOR LATER

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

Similar Posts

HOW TO MAKE A DREAMY DIY GLAMPING TENT (That You Can Take On The Road)

81 FUN AND TOTALLY FREE ROAD TRIP TRIVIA QUESTIONS

HOW I PULLED OFF A $650 CAMPER RENOVATION

DO YOU NEED TODDLER HIKING GEAR? YES! AND NO.

5 THINGS NO ONE WANTS TO TELL YOU ABOUT BEING A FULL-TIME TRAVEL FAMILY

FAMILY TRAVEL ON A BUDGET: HOW TO AFFORD FAMILY TRAVEL

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured Articles

28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.

The 20 Hottest Female Celebrities

Talented stars, killer physiques.

The 'Dos' and 'Don’ts' of Bill Gillespie’s Record-Breaking Bench Press

At age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.

The 50 Best Fitness Influencers on Instagram

Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.

• 15 High-Protein Travel Snacks

Take these snacks with you on the road to help avoid junk food temptations.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Traveling can make it tough to stick to your clean-eating diet. When you’re at home and you have access to your stove and fridge, planning a high-protein meal is rather simple, by comparison. Take away those essential appliances and you can feel like you don’t stand a chance at maintaining your diet. Don’t fear, all it takes is a little planning.

Here are some snacks that travel well. If you can bring a cooler on the road, then all of these snacks are an option. If you can’t, just focus on the non-refrigerated items. Always remember that once you reach your destination, it doesn’t hurt to stop at a grocery store to pick up refrigerated items that you can toss into your hotel fridge.

SEE ALSO:  13 Portable Protein Snacks

Non-Refrigerated Items

1. vacuumed packed tuna/salmon packets.

Skip the mess of canned tuna and having to bring a can opener. These tuna pouches are a convenient way to take protein with you. Add it to some bread or rice or just get a fork and eat it straight out of the package.

Add some variety and grab several kinds of nuts to take along. Nuts are a great source of essential fatty acids and protein, too. Also, they’re filling, so when you’re hungry they make a great snack.

3. Protein Bars

Be careful, though. Protein bars can be tricky. Depending on where you are in your training, some that are packed with calories and sugar can either make or break your goals. Opt for a low-sugar, high-protein choice to stay on the safe side.

4. Ziploc Baggie Protein

You can’t beat bringing your own protein powder on a trip. Put individual portions in Ziploc baggies. All you need is water and a cup, and you’ve got yourself an easy protein snack.

5. Beef Jerky

High in protein and portable, beef jerky is an excellent source of protein.

6. Peanut Butter

If you’re not too thrilled about lugging around a whole jar of peanut butter, grab some individual packets to make it more convenient.

7. Roasted Edamame

Protein doesn’t only have to come from meat sources. Edamame is a great vegetarian source of protein. You can find the dry roasted option for easy portability.

8. Protein Water

Don’t confuse this with throwing a scoop of protein powder into water. Protein water is actually bottled water that happens to have protein in it. It comes in clear and a variety of fruity colors for your choosing. Grab a few bottles from a health food store before hitting the road. This option will not only give you the protein you’re looking for, but it’ll also keep you hydrated.

Refrigeration Required

1. greek yogurt.

An individual container of Greek yogurt is one of the easiest ways to get in protein. Be sure to skip the ones high in sugar and opt for plain or one that has low-sugar.

2. Protein Packs

A few of these packs give you deli meat, cheese and nuts — great sources of protein in one prepped package.

3. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Before your trip, take some time to grab some turkey meat and cheese slices. Roll these up and store in a plastic container. These are easy to grab and eat quickly. You can also do a low-carb version by rolling up deli meat with lettuce.

4. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs are an easy go-to protein option. Boil as many as you may need, peel and store in a cooler or refrigerator.

5. Grilled Chicken Pieces

Ahead of time, grill some chicken, cut it up and store it in individual servings. When you need a quick snack, grab a container, pop off the lid and there you go: an easy and quick protein snack.

6. Pre-Made Protein Shakes

Having a protein shake that’s already made is convenience at its finest. There are a lot of brands to choose from to fit your fitness goals. Keep these refrigerated or in a cooler and you have protein at your fingertips.

• Build Muscle

8 Common Excuses for Not Working Out

Cut Water Weight to Reveal Your Abs

5 Winter Bodybuilding Nutrition Tips

You don't need to look like Santa during bulking season.

Eating for the Bodybuilding Physique of the 70s

Here's how you can benefit from some old-school eating habits.

Dietitians Say You Can Grab These 6 Candies

This isn't a trick — treat yourself to these snacks

16 Best At-Home Hair Color Products, Tested by Experts

Get professional-level results for dark hair, blondes, stubborn gray and more.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Permanent At-Home Hair Color

Phyto phytocolor permanent hair color.

Best Value At-Home Hair Color

Revlon colorsilk beautiful color permanent hair color.

Best Professional At-Home Hair Color

Esalon color kit.

Best At-Home Hair Color to Cover Gray

Zotos professional agebeautiful permanent liqui creme hair color dye starter kit.

Best Demi-Permanent At-Home Hair Color

Clairol natural instincts demi-permanent hair color.

Best At-Home Hair Color for Blondes

Clairol nice 'n easy permanent haircolor.

Best Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Dphue color boosting gloss+ deep conditioning treatment.

Best At-Home Hair Color for Damaged Hair

Garnier olia oil powered permanent hair color.

Best Temporary At-Home Hair Color

Moroccanoil color depositing mask.

Best Personalized At-Home Hair Color

Madison reed radiant hair color kit.

To find out which boxed hair dyes perform best, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab scientists rigorously tested at-home hair color kits from a variety of brands in the Lab for color vibrancy and gray coverage, using state-of-the-art technical instruments to measure fading when exposed to water and UV and shine. They are also evaluated on consumer testers to gauge ease of use and results, including the look and feel of hair after application; in the most recent test, 2,712 data points were collated to determine the winners .

Scroll to the bottom of this article for more on how we test hair color, plus tips on how to to choose the right type of hair dye (permanent, semi- and demi-permanent, temporary) and make the shade, whether brunette, blonde, red or beyond. Be sure to read our foolproof guide to coloring your hair at home like a pro, plus get inspired by our favorite hues for dark brown hair , black hair , gray hair , auburn hair and blonde color .

An ammonia-free formula that contains plant-derived pigments and oils like jojoba and coconut oil, Phyto was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent at-home hair color test. It provided the richest, most uniform and truest color, and users found that it lasted longer than all others tested . The formula left hair feeling the softest after application and was the least messy dye and the overall tester favorite.

An impressive 100% of testers agreed that it gave rich and even color results. The kit also ranked best for ease of preparation; not being messy; producing a shade that matched the color on the box and lasted; and leaving hair feeling nourished. “The best hair color I have ever used, including professional,” a user raved. Several testers said that it left their hair shiny. A caveat: the shade range is not as extensive as that of other brands.

Revlon’s ammonia-free boxed hair color came out near its pricier competition in terms of performance in GH Beauty Lab testing. Despite its low cost, it earned the highest scores in numerous categories. Testers gave this drugstore dye top marks for having clear instructions, being simple to prepare and rinse out, having a minimal aroma, and making hair appear smooth and shiny .

Take note, though, that it wasn’t the best at covering grays compared to other formulas and some users needed more than one box to cover their hair. Several users commented on how effortless it was to apply and the “beautiful color” it produced (true to its name). “It made my hair soft, shiny and nourished,” one marveled.

Just like in the salon, ESalon's professional colorists create a customized hair color just for you and your hair needs , which is then shipped to your door for application at home. It was a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's at-home hair color test for providing the desired shade, giving rich and even results, and leaving hair looking silky and feeling nourished, although it didn't provide as good gray coverage or resist fading as well as other custom hair color brands in Lab testing.

Former GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D , is a fan of the service and another former GH Beauty Lab scientist called it "a great option if you want the customization you get from working with a hair colorist and the convenience and savings of doing it yourself at home." It "felt very personalized — the service, the color I wanted, the emails with helpful info and tips," a tester raved. "Very nice packaging with all the pieces labeled; my hair felt soft and healthy and looked so shiny when I was done!"

Mild but mighty, this Zotos Professional dye f ully camouflaged even stubborn grays and resisted fading better than the rest in Lab assessments . It was the gentlest formulation and comes in a wide array of shades, from icy blondes to deep crimsons and inky blacks . The formula provided the best coverage of gray hair and most closely matched the shade shown, Lab testing found.

In a comparison of just-dyed human hair samples versus those exposed to 20 wash/dry cycles and 10 hours of UVA light (simulating four weeks of wear), the color faded the least per measurements of color change with the VeriVide DigiEye system. Users also rated it top for not irritating. (A drawback: the starter kit and hair color are sold separately.) “Natural-looking, beautiful, lasting coverage,” a tester remarked.

Numerous shades — especially dark hair like brunettes and reds — from Clairol's popular demi-permanent drugstore color impressed the GH Beauty Lab in evaluations. In Lab testing, the ammonia-free at-home dye offered even coverage, left hair visibly shiny and was fade-resistant when used to cover up gray strands . Note, though, that it didn't have as strong gray coverage on blonde hair in testing.

In GH Beauty Lab testing, experts found that Clairol Nice 'n Easy was the best pick for light hair and has a gentler, more conditioning formula. While all brands tested for blonde shades have only scored average (or worse) for covering up gray, this stood out for fade resistance and keeping its shine.

In Lab evaluations, it scored high for giving a natural look, 79% of testers said it left their hair soft and shiny and 90% said it didn’t cause irritation . The hair color also comes in a huge range of 50 shades from very light blonde to dark blue-black. "Easy to apply and left hair extremely soft, even without conditioner," a tester reported.

A reviewer favorite, this semi-permanent color intensifier from dpHUE takes effect in as little as three minutes and comes in a variety of shades from red to brown, black and blonde. Although the hues won't cover grays, the brand's co-founder and pro colorist Justin Anderson says "the deep conditioning will leave your hair feeling amazing."

A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, Garnier's permanent color is made with no ammonia and a high concentration of nourishing oil so it's gentle on hair that's damaged from treatments like keratin or thinning strands. The formula scored high for its pleasant non-chemical scent, ease of rinsing and not irritating, and it didn't fade over weeks after application.

It didn't perform as well as others at increasing hair's shine, though. "Made my hair feel extremely healthy and looked very natural," one tester raved. Another remarked: "My hair texture was softer from the use of this product compared to others."

Test out a new hair shade or refresh the one you have as you deep condition strands with Moroccanoil’s innovative temporary color-depositing mask, a GH Beauty Award winner. The formula left strands evenly colored seven minutes after application and feeling soft and silky, GH Beauty Lab testing on hair samples found.

It's available in a selection of both neutral and bold shades, although some users found the color came out a different tone than shown on their hair. (Try doing a patch test on a small section of hair that's hidden before applying all over.)

For a personalized at-home hair color experience, turn to ammonia-free Madison Reed, which changed the game with its online service that offers custom shade recommendations delivered to your door and video consultations with pro colorists. It outperformed other custom-color kits at being simple to use and not messy, having an unobtrusive scent, not causing irritation and resisting fading.

In Lab evaluations , 100% of testers agreed that the selection process was seamless, the color was easy to prepare, application wasn’t messy and the scent wasn’t offensive . Among the personalized dyes, it concealed grays best (though not as well as traditional boxed hair color) and faded the least in Lab measurements on hair samples. Many testers noted that applying it was an effortless, “pleasant experience” and that their hair felt “healthy” after use.

L'Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color

For a less messy DIY dye experience, turn to this L'Oréal Paris kit, which was a strong performer in GH Beauty Lab testing. It ranked near the top in several areas: not being messy during application, successfully covering grays and delivering color that lasted .

Some drawbacks included that it didn't score well for fade resistance in Lab assessments or with consumer testers for leaving hair looking smooth. Many testers commented on how easy it was to apply; others praised "the color saturation" and that it "looked so rich and beautiful."

Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color

In GH Beauty Lab testing, this Schwarzkopf dye was a star in deep shades like brown and black. These dark hair colors were true to the images on the packaging, the best at initial gray coverage and showed the least fading over 20 wash-and-dry cycles and 10 hours of UV exposure, simulating four weeks of wear. (Note that its lighter blonde shade didn't perform as well and it didn't score as highly for leaving hair soft and not being messy.)

It ranked highly with users at having instructions and an applicator that were easy to use, covering grays completely, providing even color and having a non-offensive scent. The color was "rich and uniform" and "didn't look like it was from a box," two testers marveled.

Clairol Root Touch-Up by Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye

Cover regrowth in between dye sessions with this permanent root touch-up kit from Clairol, a GH Beauty Award winner. GH Beauty Lab evaluations found that the color covered roots well and blended perfectly with users' existing shades . Lab testing found it was also great at boosting shine and resisting fading. Plus, it processes in just 10 minutes for speedy results. Note that this product is for application on roots only, not all over hair.

L'Oréal Paris Couleur Experte Color + Highlights in a Flash

Highlighting your hair is pretty tricky to do on your own (GH Beauty Lab experts recommend visiting a salon for the best results), but this L'Oréal Paris kit promises to make it easy with specialized color matching and applicator tools . First, apply a base shade, then follow by painting on the coordinating highlight color using the targeted fingertip brush applicator. Though the GH Beauty Lab hasn't tested this product, a reviewer reported: "I always get compliments, even from my hairstylist." One drawback: there is a limited number of shade options.

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Full Coverage

GH Institute Senior Product Analyst Emma Seymour is a fan of trying bold hair colors and recommends this Lime Crime formula, which comes in a large array of vibrant and unique shades . "I loved how pigmented the color was," she notes. "It was easy to apply and the color showed up on my darker hair color, plus I liked that the jar had a large opening so I could get all of the product out." Some reviewers noted, however, that the color washed out quickly.

Overtone Daily Conditioner

All hair color fades, but it's especially noticeable with fantasy colors. These color-depositing conditioners from Overtone are an easy way to keep less natural shades vibrant. Made in a wide array of fun and pretty colors, it's intended to replace your normal daily conditioner to maintain unique hair color (though isn't meant to conceal grays).

"Unlike traditional conditioners for colored hair, it actually ad ds color when you use it, rather than just help preserve the shade," Seymour, who tried the formula, explains.

RELATED : Does Overtone Hair Dye Actually Work on Brown Hair?

How we test at-home hair color

The GH Beauty Lab regularly tests at-home hair dye with both consumer testers and in controlled Lab tests. In the Lab, our scientists dye human hair samples in black, brown, red and blonde shades and visually evaluate each for color results and gray hair coverage.

They then assess each hair dye's color retention with a series of tests including 20 wash and dry cycles using the Swatch Wash Station and 10 hours of UVA light exposure with the Q-Lab QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester (simulating four weeks of wear). Finally, Beauty Lab scientists measure color change in the dyed hair samples using the VeriVide DigiEye system to determine how much each faded over time.

Boxed dyes are also sent to a panel of women all over the country who evaluate them on factors such as ease of preparation and application, scent and color performance, including gray coverage, color richness, uniformity and accuracy compared to the image on the box. They provide real-life feedback on resulting hair shine, softness and smoothness, as well as color fade over four weeks after application.

The GH Beauty Lab's most recent at-home hair color test included 136 consumer testers and 160 human hair swatches. In total, Lab scientists exposed colored hair samples to UVA light for 800 hours and tallied 2,712 consumer survey responses .

What to look for when shopping for the best at-home hair color

Here's what you'll want in a typical at-home hair color kit (and should have on hand before application), according to GH Beauty Lab experts:

✔️ Hair color : This container holds a blend of the alkalizer and the dye precursors, the molecules that form the final color molecules in hair. ✔️ Developer : Usually housed in an applicator bottle, the developer contains hydrogen peroxide and is mixed with the hair color before application. ✔️ Instructions : Each product is different, so read the directions fully before use to familiarize yourself with the process, and follow them closely for best results. Lay out tools before starting for easy access. ✔️ Gloves : One set is often included to protect skin from dye, but have extra gloves on hand just in case you need to switch them out for a different size or a fresh pair. ✔️ Applicators : Most kits come with an applicator bottle in which the developer and the color are shaken together. Some also include a mixing tray or bowl and applicator brush. If not included, gather a bowl to dispense the dye into, an applicator brush and clips to section hair to ensure even coverage. ✔️ Extras : Kits may have packets or tubes of color-protecting shampoo, conditioner or a deep-conditioning treatment to enhance the result. Some also include color-remover wipes to sweep away dye splatters and a shower cap to slip over your hair while the dye processes to prevent dripping. (If not, GH Beauty Lab pros recommend having your own ready.)

Which type of box hair dye is best?

Choose your hair dye formula based on how long you want the color to last and your desired results. Aral shares a quick primer:

• Permanent: This dye often contains ammonia (to open hair’s cuticle) mixed with a developer (hydrogen peroxide) to lift and deposit pigment, changing the hair’s color until it grows out. This dye lasts the longest and is best for covering grays.
• Demi-permanent : Ammonia-free, it deposits dye with a developer and lasts up to 24 shampoos for subtle enhancement and blending of regrowth.
• Semi-permanent : It has no ammonia or developer and deposits dye only to soften gray or boost color, lasting through about six to eight washes.
• Temporary : This is both ammonia- and developer-free, which means it's the least damaging hair dye. Large color molecules adhere to the outer layer of strands and can be washed out in one to two shampoos.

April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day , where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. 

Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.  

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Best Hair Color Ideas for 2023

12 Best Toners for Blonde Hair

Get the Scoop on Hair Color Wax

Steps for Transitioning to Gray Hair

The Best Hair Glosses to Boost Color and Shine

12 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair

Does Truly "Organic" Hair Dye Actually Exist?

50 Best Hair Color Trends of 2021

28 New Hair Colors to Try This Spring

35 Best Burgundy Hair Color Ideas

10 Best Black Hair Dyes of 2022

25 Stunning Summer Hair Colors That Celebs Love