Clothes can be stuffed into a suitcase. Toiletries can be downsized and fit into one-quart baggies. Even a laptop can be packed small and securely. In today’s world, you can travel with everything but the kitchen sink. Oh, wait — you can pack that, too! Snacking out of a suitcase is one way to keep up with your healthy lifestyle, so be sure you’re doing it right with these simple steps.
1. Choose snacks that are light and delight.
First, you want to choose snacks that will will keep you fuller, longer (because traveling can be unpredictable). My favorites include gluten-free Crunch Master Multi-Grain Crackers paired with slices of low-fat cheese and Real Foods Multi-Grain Corn Thins with a spread of organic peanut butter. You can find these and other JNL-approved picks at Vitacost.com, where their selection of healthy snacks not only saves your waistline but your budget to boot!
2. Store snacks cool and tight.
Every school day, I pack my son a nutritious meal in his lunchbox that helps ensure his food stays fresh for hours. I adopted the same technique for my travels, which is good news for your favorite protein-rich yogurt. If kept cool in an insulated container, you’ll still be able to enjoy an on-the-go parfait while traveling. I also store my chocolate-flavored protein bars in a cool, dry place so they don’t become a melted mess. Because it’s easy to over-indulge on trail mix, put mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit in pre-portioned snack bags for a no-brainer, pick-me-up.
3. Keep snacks on hand but out of sight.
Spread the love by storing food in your purse, your laptop bag, your briefcase and your suitcase so you’ll always have something easy and quick to grab — and won’t find yourself “accidentally” eating out of the vending machine. Once you have snacks packed in every nook and cranny, forget about them. If food is in sight all of the time, you’ll be more likely to eat out of boredom.
With a few favorite finger foods on hand, you’ll stay healthy, satisfied and light on your feet — literally.