Having healthy packaged snacks on hand is a must. In our practice, we find that hunger is the number one cause of overeating. We’ve written about this in detail in our most popular blog to date.
Being hungry increases stress hormones like cortisol and decreases our ability to use executive brain functions, like inhibition and decision making, making it that much more difficult to make an intentional decision about food.
Hunger shows up in different ways and it’s important to recognize the subtle and obvious signs of hunger so that you can prevent overeating and binging.
Here are a few hunger signals to look out for:
One of the best ways to manage hunger is by having an intentional and well-balanced snack or snacks between meals.
The best snacks contain a combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fat from whole food ingredients like nuts, seeds, 100% whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
We know that eating whole-food snacks can be challenging on-the-go, so we put together a list of our favorite, store-bought and packaged snacks made with real food ingredients.
The best part…you can order these healthy packaged snacks straight from Amazon. It doesn’t get anymore convenient than that! Keep reading for a few of our favorite on-the-go bites.
These Sea Snax are our go-to crispy, salty veggies snacks. They are so light and jam-packed with flavor and nutrients like iodine and omega-3 fats. There are a ton of seaweed snack brands out there, but Sea Snax is special because they are organic and made with olive oil. They hit the spot in flavor, but we recommend pairing these snacks with some hard boiled eggs for a more filling snack since they are low in fiber and protein.
Nutrition Information (1 travel pack): 15 calories, 0 grams fiber, 0 grams of protein
These Saffron Road Falafel Crunchy Chickpea snacks taste amazing, and are super high in fiber. They are made with organic chickpeas and their crunchy texture is also a great addition to salads or side dishes. The only con with these snacks is they have a little added sugar and maltodextrin, but you can get around this by opting for the sea salt flavor which is sugar-free and maltodextrin-free.
Nutrition Information (1/4 cup): 130 calories, 5 grams fiber, 6 grams of protein
These Chomps Beef and Turkey Jerky sticks are a great source of protein, with 10 grams of grass-fed beef (or free-range, antibiotic-free turkey) per stick. They are quick and easy way to get good quality protein, especially if you are sensitive to dairy or nuts. We recommend pairing these sticks with a piece of fruit or some raw veggies for a fiber filled snack.
Nutrition Information (1 stick): 70 calories, 0 grams fiber, 10 grams of protein
This Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl popcorn is currently our favorite popcorn. Made with organic, non-GMO corn, this popcorn is a great source of fiber. It’s seasoned with coconut oil, avocado oil or ghee, which are healthier alternatives to the canola or safflower oil found in most packaged popcorn products.
Nutrition Information (1 travel bag): 100 calories, 5 grams fiber, 2 grams of protein
I’m obsessed with these Artisana Raw Organic Nut Butter packets. They have a ton of different varieties and are made with 100% raw and organic nuts, no fillers or additives. They are great paired with your favorite on-the-go fruit like bananas or apples.
Nutrition Information (1 packet): 169 calories, 4 grams fiber, 7 grams of protein
The RX Nut Butter packets are another great option if you want a little flavor and a bit more protein in your nut butter. This product has added egg white powder to boost the protein content from the usual 6 – 7 grams of protein to 9 grams of protein per serving. A little coconut butter helps to keep you fuller for longer and dates give you a natural sweetness and more vitamins and minerals than sugar.
Nutrition Information (1 packet): 190 calories, 2 grams fiber, 9 grams of protein
Crackers are one of our favorite foods, and once we discovered these Jilz Crackers, we were hooked. Made with all organic seeds and almond flour, they are the best gluten-free cracker we’ve tried. We recommend pairing them with hummus, cucumbers, lox, goat cheese or nut cheese for additional protein and fiber.
Nutrition Information (10 crackers): 100 calories, 2 grams fiber, 3 grams of protein
The collagen bulletproof bar is currently our favorite nutrition bar. It has minimal ingredients that are mostly organic and has collagen as the protein source (read more about the benefits of collagen here). These bars also have MCT oil that keeps you feeling fuller for longer. The texture is soft, but not sticky. Our only complaint is they do get stuck in your teeth, and if you aren’t used to MCT oil it can cause a little bit of stomach discomfort at first.
Nutrition Information (1 bar): 210 calories, 5 grams fiber, 12 grams of protein
RX Bars are one of our go-to clean nutrition bars because you can find them pretty much everywhere these days, and they have a ton of great flavors. They only have a few ingredients and they use egg whites as their protein source. Our favorite flavors are chocolate sea salt (literally taste like brownies), coconut chocolate chip (feels like you are eating cookie dough…in a good way), and pumpkin spice. They are pretty chewy and moist, so if you aren’t into that texture then skip these bars.
Nutrition Information (1 bar): 200 – 210 calories depending on the flavor, 4 grams fiber, 12 grams of protein
This little Chia Warrior Bar is our favorite plant-based bar at the moment. They are tiny, but surprisingly filling because of the fiber from chia seeds. The texture is nicely balanced and not too chewy. As an added bonus they are jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids (1000 mg/bar). Our favorite flavors are banana nut, coconut, and almond vanilla. This is more of a quick snack and will hold you over for a few hours.
Nutrition Information (1 bar): 100 – 110 calories depending on the flavor, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams of protein
This plant-based, organic Square Bar is probably the most indulgent tasting of all the bars. If you are in the mood for dessert, this is a great substitute. It is nice and hard and the outside and smooth and soft on the inside – not chewy at all! These bars have 11 – 12 grams of plant-based protein from organic, sprouted brown rice and a few low FODMAP varieties too!
Nutrition Information (1 bar): 210 – 230 calories depending on the flavor, 2 grams fiber, 11 – 12 grams protein
Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or application is intended for reference and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or other professional advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately qualified and licensed medical services provider.