By: Ashley Poptodorova
If you are a frequent traveler or perhaps a notorious “hit the snooze button” kind of person, you may think the drive-thru is your only option for a quick bite. Well here is a pleasant surprise: you CAN eat healthy when you’re on the go! Use this as a guide to avoid swinging through that fast-food joint. Choose healthy options to keep you fueled and your metabolism revved up!
PROTEIN OPTIONS
All Natural Deli Meat: Boar’s Head is my favorite option. Choose top round roast beef, turkey, or chicken (but try to avoid ham). Deli meat is so easy to throw in your cooler and whip into a sandwich (try Ezekiel bread) or wrap around celery for an extra crunch.
Canned All Natural Chicken or Tuna: Just pop open the can, drain the water, and season with salsa and salt-free options (such as Mrs. Dash, garlic, or minced dry onion). There are also some fantastic tuna options in pouches in many delicious flavors! However, keep a close eye on the sodium because some of them are high.
Flavored Protein Bars: Do not get in the habit of eating these frequently. Use these as an “EXTREME pinch” option. The Zero Impact bars (pumpkin) are my favorite. Try heating the bar for 10 seconds (until soft) and then eating it with a cold glass of water or almond milk.
Good Quality Protein Powder: I recommend Bluebonnet, as they have some tasty flavors. Choose one you like and put it in a plastic container. Keep it in your cooler as a back up for those extra crazy days! You can just add the protein powder to water when you’re ready or almond milk if you have some on hand.
SNACKS OPTIONS
Gluten-Free Crackers: Mary’s Gone Crackers is the brand I buy. You can get these at most health food stores and some grocery stores. They come in a variety of delicious flavors! You can also dip these crackers in hummus for some extra flavor.
Green Granny Smith Apples: Grocery stores usually sell these precut in bags. It doesn’t get any simpler than this! If you look at your local health food store, you can find travel packets of almond butter (try Jason’s) that will pair nicely with this.
Raw Food Bars: These are great quality protein bars that are uncooked. Your local nutrition store carries a variety of flavors without all of the guilt.
Fat-Free Chobani Yogurt Mousse: Add chocolate protein, sliced strawberries, and pecans to fat-free Chobani yogurt. It tastes like dessert and is a great option if you are around those who are eating dessert.
Homemade Brown Rice Chips: Bake a brown rice wrap (try Food for Life brand) on high until they get brown and crispy. It takes no time at all. I break them into pieces and dip in my favorite hummus or salsa.
TIPS
Do you have a kitchen at work? Bring in a 2.5 lb tub of protein powder with your name on it and a small tub of oatmeal to make shakes. You can purchase a Magic Bullet or even bring your blender in. It only takes a minute to run to the kitchen and blend a shake. Try sprinkling cinnamon in it; it’s delicious!
For those of you who work at desks all day, I suggest you have a snack drawer! Every week fill it with bars, tuna cans, crackers, and other lean non-perishable snacks. This way when your co-worker offers you chocolate-covered cherries, you can politely turn them down and turn to your healthy snack drawer! You can do it and I am here if you need help.
