This week we challenge you to substitute your energy bar snack for a whole food snack. It is common for flight crews to rely on energy bars and while some energy bars are better than others, (we sometimes rely on them too), most energy bars are still a candy bar in disguise. If you need to bring energy bars for an international trip that is a different story (check out our Energy Bar Review section – we are still in the process of re-uploading images) however, if you are flying domestically this next week, try to substitute your energy bar snacks for whole food snacks instead.
– First, some easy trade off’s are fruit (natures pre packaged fast food). Second, moving down the plant list, some other options include veggie sticks (we found carrots and celery last over a 4 day trip – bring salsa if you have not yet acquired a taste for raw veggies), sliced peppers are great for a few days and two of our favorites are Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Chili, Sweet Potato Chips (oil free, healthy and delicious).
– Third, if you have a break and need to get a snack in quick we highly recommend the Dr. McDougal boxed soups. You do not need a can opener (hence the box), and they even taste good cold so if you are in a rush or mid flight and need something to carry you through these will do the trick! They contain about 150-250 calories per box, which is still less than most energy bars! With the soup you are getting a small meal that is high in nutrients, all plant based, oil free and provides fluids to re-hydrate. Josh alway’s has a few in his suitcase and they are perfect for international trips since it is a packaged product (just make sure you declare).
– Fourth, nuts and seeds can be a good option if you eat in moderation. Purchasing these from the bulk bin is best as they are less expensive and do not contain added oils, sugars or preservatives (read labels to check!). A good guideline is to eat no more than a 1/4 – 1/3 cup a day. Easily put these in single serving snack bags to have handy. Because nuts have a higher Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio (meaning they are slightly inflammatory) we recommend putting seeds in the mix as they have a better ratio.
– Finally, we always recommend making your own. Check out the easy and quick recipes below for more whole food options or click on our Recipes tab!
Cheesy Chickpea Poppers or Original Sweet & Salty Poppers – They are high in protein and travel easily
Apple, Ginger, Carrot Cake Cookies
Red Pepper Kale Chips Jalapeno Lime Kale Chips (use a dehydrator or bake in the oven)
Black bean Brownies – For those of you with a sweet tooth.
Oat Bars (Images missing):
Chocolate Pumpkin Orange Spice Hazelnut Super Green Ginger
We would love to hear from you on your favorite snacks! Let us know on facebook or our Community Forum!