15 Nutritional Travel Snacks and Their Benefits

I love to travel and explore new places. I also believe in properly fueling my body to keep the energy alive during my travels. But let’s face it, driving or flying can leave a soul hungry if you’re not prepared with the right nutritious snacks.

It’s the in-between times when you’re not hungry for a meal, but need something to hold you over during your travel.

It is important not just to have available snacks, but nutritious snacks. You want to carry snacks with a nutritional value high in protein, some healthy fats, and carbohydrates (carbs). When you choose the right nutritious travel snacks, you help fuel your body, feel fuller longer, and don’t get hungry.

Here are 15 nutritious snacks and their benefits.

1. Protein Bars

Protein bars are an essential travel snack. They consist of high-quality nutrition, are easy to pack, and are individually wrapped.

One of my favorite go-to protein bars for traveling, hiking, or during any outside activity is the RX Protein Bars. They are packed with protein and are gluten-free. They offer a variety of flavors, but my favorite is the blueberry protein bar. Delish!

The more protein the longer you will feel satisfied and full. Get some protein bars!

2. Trail Mix

I love a good trail mix. Ones that include my favorite sweet tooth fix, chocolate, are my go-to first. Most trail mixes include nuts (healthy fat), a sweet tooth fix treat (i.e. chocolate, M&M’s), dried fruit, and granola.

While protein is an essential macronutrient for your travel snacks, you also want to add some healthy fats and carbs. Trail mix provides you with all your essential needs.

3. Protein Shakes

It’s always good to have protein shakes on hand when traveling. Many local airports sell them before boarding. If you’re driving, you can store some protein shakes in a cooler to keep on hand.

Protein shakes provide that punch of energy and sustainability your body needs to keep going when you may feel tired and help you feel full longer.

4. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds provide a protein base of nutrition essential for your body. There’s an assortment to choose from and easy to pack!

Here, are the best nuts and seeds to bring with you on travel, in order of protein value: peanuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, pistachios, cashews, Brazil nuts, or walnuts. You really can’t go wrong with any of these.

5. Protein Chips

Many different protein options are available in today’s grocery stores to help ensure people are getting the nutrients their bodies need. Protein chips are easy to pack, and if you’re a chip-lover, this fits your chip fix too!

I find these to be more kid-friendly. Most younger kids will not know the difference between protein and regular potato chips. You can slide in some healthy choices for your kids while traveling without the “I don’t like it” comment coming back at you.

Pack those protein chips!

6. No-Bake Protein Balls

I love no-bake protein balls! They are simple to make, easy to pack, quick to reach for in times of hunger, and pack the punch of protein without tasting less than delicious!

The primary ingredients in protein balls include rolled oats, honey (quick sweetener and it’s a healthier choice), and your choice of protein powder. You can make protein balls with a variety of flavors and ingredients. Ultimately, you control what goes inside the protein balls, and it’s less costly than buying protein bars.

7. Jerky

Jerky is an all-time favorite in my home. It’s simple, quick to pack, and nutritious. Be mindful, though, that not all jerky is the same. Most store-bought jerky is high in sodium and saturated fats.

While this is not necessarily good for your body, it is best to consume jerky in moderation, and you will be fine. The best jerky for a healthy snack is homemade or bought from a direct seller who produces their own jerky. There is likely to be less sodium in the jerky.

In any instance, jerky is high in protein keeping you feeling fuller longer, and high in zinc and iron to maintain your immune system.

8. Fruit

Another nutritious snack when traveling is fruit. I love berries! It can be strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, give me all the berries!

Fruit can sometimes be skipped, thinking it’s not a nutritious snack. Some may think fruit is just sugar, but it is more than that. Fruit is considered a carb meaning it provides essential fuel for your body, also known as energy.

Fruit provides the essential nutrients and vitamins needed to stay healthy. It’s easy to pack. Some simple packing fruits you can consider on your next travel are apples, oranges, peaches, cherries, and bananas, to name a few.

If you want to get exotic like me, I enjoy packing fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, and berries. Switch up your fruits on your travels, and you’ll never get tired of this nutritious snack!

9. Veggies and Hummus

Let’s not forget about the value of vegetables in our choices for travel snacks. They are easy to pack, and a healthy option for a travel snack. One veggie mix I like to bring is sugar snap peas (my favorite) or celery and hummus.

Vegetables provide nutrients that keep us healthy (fiber, vitamins, and minerals) and contain fewer calories than other snacking options. You can have celery with hummus and add in a couple of no-bake protein balls, and you’ve got a well-rounded nutritious snack combo to hold you over for a bit.

Get creative and mix up your veggie choices with hummus or peanut butter!

10. Hard-boiled Eggs

This may not be your first choice, but hard-boiled eggs are packed with lean protein and are good for your overall health and heart. They’re lower in calories, a source of good cholesterol, and help boost your body’s immunity.

You can easily prepare hard-boiled eggs and tote them in a small cooler or lunch box for easy access. I promise you that after eating two hard-boiled eggs, your stomach grumbles will fade quickly.

11. Dry Roasted Chickpeas

Dry roasted chickpeas are one of my favorites to take with me on my travels or hiking adventures. I love that stores offer a variety of flavors to choose from.

My favorite is the sriracha-flavored chickpeas. They give me protein with a little kick of spice! Chickpeas offer so many benefits to our bodies from high fiber promoting better digestion, packed with minerals, and protein.

This is another travel snack that can easily be packed and taken with you on any travel!

12. Dry Cereal

I know this sounds opposite of what you’re probably thinking, but dry cereal can be a good nutritious snack to bring along with you for your travels. Protein-based cereals, such as Kashi GO, offer at least 16 grams of protein per serving.

I consider these more like granola and you don’t need milk. It’s simple to pack, quick to consume, not messy, and your body will thank you later as the hangry symptoms simmer.

13. Canned Fish

Not considered a favorite by many, but the nutritional punch canned fish can add is well worth considering packing for your next travel! Whether it is tuna, rainbow trout, salmon, or another canned fish, you cannot beat the nutritional value of this snack choice.

Convenient packaging makes it easy to bring along for travel. Fish, in general, is full of omega-3 fatty acids and high-protein content making this one of the better, healthier travel snacks. Pair this with protein chips – now you have a travel-made fish and chips snack.

14. Yogurt Pouches

Yogurt is a healthy snack alternative when traveling. Most yogurt pouches do not require refrigeration unless after they’ve been opened.

Yogurt pouches are convenient as they are individually prepared and easy to pack. Yogurt is full of calcium, and protein, and may benefit your heart’s health. Be sure to grab a box of GoGo SqueeZ yogurt pouches and pack them for your next trip!

15. Coconut Water

Many of the snacks provided here are edible, but I think it’s important to consider hydration too as part of your nutritious snacks to pack when traveling. You may prefer drinking regular water over coconut water. But I think it’s important to know the benefits of coconut water and how it can help you stay hydrated while traveling.

Coconut water has electrolytes, minerals, and antioxidants and can hydrate your body better than regular water. This is important when traveling as we can easily become dehydrated with possible elevation changes, or just out adventuring.

Stay hydrated and bring coconut water with you on your travels!

What is Your Favorite Go-To Nutritious Snack When on Travel?

I always have coconut water and protein bars with me on my travels. As an avid hiker and adventurous soul, I’m always adding to my snack packing list. It’s important to keep the body fueled on adventures and travel.

Let’s hear in the comments your favorite go-to nutritious snack when on travel!