While the beginning of this summer may have more of a “staycation” vibe versus “vacation” vibe, it’s still the perfect time to get outdoors for a walk or hike, a few rounds of golf, a picnic in your yard or at the park or even a little road trip, and all these occasions call for a smart low carb snacking strategy.
Whether you’re headed out for a hike, road trip or beginning to brave the friendly skies again, start with these four tips:
- Stay hydrated. Swap for a bottle full of ice water. Here are five creative ways you can also stay hydrated.
- Plan ahead. In addition to packing low carb snacks for the road, select spots along the way where you can stop and eat. Find other interesting locations where everyone can get out and stretch their legs and maybe even fit in a quick walk to make up for all of the hours sitting in the car. If you’re out for a hike, take advantage of a little break and enjoy the views while you munch on your snack.
- Eat frequently. Try to have a healthy meal or low carb snack every few hours when you’re out and about or on the road. This will help keep your hunger in check and make it a lot easier to resist the foods that might get you off track. Pack some of the snacks below, and make sure you have plenty of ice if you’re bringing a cooler to keep refrigerated items well chilled.
- Provide your own in-flight fare. That little bag of peanuts or in-flight soda may currently be a thing of the past for now. Pack your own snacks to keep your appetite in check. The TSA will soon be asking you to pack any in-flight food separately in a plastic bag so that you can easily pull it out of your carryon and put it in the bin during x-ray screening, which decreases the likelihood that the TSA will have to go through your carryon and remove your food for additional inspection.
Low Carb Snacks
Some of these snacks are best served chilled, so stash them in a cooler or insulated cooler bag. The others can easily be tossed in a backpack, golf bag, carryon or pocket.
Sliced vegetables with cream cheese, ranch dressing, hummus or guacamole
String cheese, cheese slices, or cubes
Hard-boiled or deviled eggs
Celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter
Roll-ups with deli ham, turkey or roast beef; cheese, mayo and romaine lettuce leaves
Berries
Olives
Baked Cheese Straws
Savory Popcorn & Nut Mix
Beef or turkey jerky (cured without sugar)
Crunchy Almond Pretzels
Almonds, pistachios or other nuts or seeds
Whatever activity or trip you’re embarking on, you can find many more low carb snack recipes here. Atkins bars, shakes and treats also make great portable snacks.
TIP: Throw your Atkins bar or treat in the freezer for a couple hours before you hit the road for a tasty snack that won’t melt in the heat.
No matter where your travels take you, even if it’s simply around the block, these low carb snacks will help keep you fueled and energized.