One of my childhood friends used to carry around snacks with him, constantly. Bags of Funyuns stashed in his front sweatshirt pocket. Bags of Gushers safely stowed in his cargo shorts. Pieces of beef jerky could be hidden in his jeans. Even the occasional tater-tot could be found in his front shirt pocket, depending on the day. He would call them his “sneaky snacks.” I thought it was hilarious because 90% of the time the snacks weren’t so hidden. (The bags of chips were regular or family-size.) Evidence of grease, salt, or a mess of crumbs could be found soon after the consumption, but mess aside, he was onto something.
Our bodies need food as fuel to be able to function. You know those days when you are running yourself ragged trying to get through your to-do list and realize you haven’t eaten since breakfast? Or, have you felt that pang in your gut from hunger but there’s nothing readily available, except for the old candy bar that has been living in your glovebox for the last six months and melted to the wrapper? You still have three more things on your to-do list, but you don’t have the time to go to the grocery store and your brain starts to wander off– is the paper covering your gum edible? Having something that’s healthy and readily available to keep you fueled throughout the day is a brilliant idea and one that so many can implement without it becoming too much of a pain. Stashing snacks prepped in advance can prevent you from making impulse decisions, and will help you feel better, more energized, and proud of yourself for getting through your to-do list.
In a time where consuming calories is talked about so negatively, it’s important to remember: Calories provide us energy from food and drinks. We need the good kind of calories to help our brains, organs, and entire body function.
A few fast facts on calories, according to Medical News Today:
- Calories are essential for human health. The key is consuming the right amount.
- Everyone requires different amounts of energy each day, depending on age, sex, size, and activity level.
By choosing foods that are filled with more substance, you will be helping yourself to work more efficiently from the inside which has a clear effect on how you’re functioning on the outside.
If you struggle to figure out what kind of snacks to have, here is a list of my favorite on-the-go, in your car, and during an activity like a hike or long walk–snacks. These favorites will help to keep your brain working, and your body feeling good, and everything is able to be found at your regular grocery store. No added stress to your day by locating specialty shops or expensive online purchases!
These snacks can be left in your car, purse, or bag without going rotten immediately and are less messy in the crumbs department. (Note: As long as it’s below 80 degrees outside. The snacks italicized shouldn’t be left in a hot vehicle for over a few hours if it’s one of those extra hot days.):
- Apples
- Clementines
- Popcorn
- Dates
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Pretzel sticks
- Bananas
- Grapes (or frozen grapes)
- Carrots
- Celery
- Veggie Straws
- Quinoa Chips
- Rice Cakes (White Cheddar is the BEST)
- Sweet Potato Chips
- Pita Chips
HIKE/LONG WALK GO-TOs:
- Fig Bar (Nature’s Harvest makes a wonderful less sugar variety that includes regular Fig, Strawberry, and Blueberry.)
- Be Kind Bars
- Dried Mango, Apricot, Papaya or Cherries
Let this list be a guide to help you choose an option that will help you feel better about your fuel decisions. All of these can store easily and are convenient. You may discover that some of your clothes have the PERFECT “sneaky-snack” hiding spot too.
