Traveling on Paleo: Snacks

I recently got to partake in a family weekend trip to Big Bear. Of course, it’s always fun to get away — especially to such a beautiful and charming destination — but traveling while trying to stick to a special diet (on which one’s health depends) definitely comes with its stresses. Such is the dilemma when traveling on Paleo.

I was very fortunate that we had access to a full kitchen where we were able to prepare and cook all our meals while we were there. This made my life so much easier, as I was able to bring my usual foods and cook them as needed: organic vegetables, properly-raised proteins and fresh fruit (and being that I was still nursing an upper respiratory infection, I also came armed with organic tea, Manuka honey, and apple cider vinegar to get me through the weekend).

That being said, snacking is usually altogether another story. In the past, I’ve had this tendency to use vacations as an excuse to eat junk foods and indulge in things I normally wouldn’t. So on road trips, I’d find myself at mini-marts picking up potato chips, chocolate bars and anything bearing a Hostess label (mini powdered-sugar donuts, anyone?).

Knowing that I can no longer entertain such temptations, planning ahead and making sure I have healthy snacks is imperative. I had planned to bake and prepare some of my favorites to bring with me on the trip — like my banana bread and granola bars — but that idea never came to fruition due to being sick and falling behind schedule. Luckily, I had recently stocked up on some new Paleo pre-packaged snacks that I’d been meaning to try, and they came in mighty handy when I needed to quickly throw some snack foods in a to-go bag at the last minute. Of course, preparing and eating whole foods is always the most desirable option, but in my opinion, these (relatively) healthy, tasty, ready-to-go convenience snacks are positively the next best thing:

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1. Bare Crunchy Fuji Apple Chips

These apple chips are not only delicious; they are made of only one ingredient: organic Fuji apples! Seriously, that’s it. No added sugar. No preservatives or additives. It almost seems unbelievable considering how tasty they are. The Bare Crunchy Cinnamon Apple Chips are equally delicious, and this one only has two ingredients: organic apples and cinnamon. This is a rarity in pre-packaged foods, making this a great alternative during the times when I don’t have access to fresh fruit.

2. Jackson’s Honest Sweet Potato Chips Made With Coconut Oil

Potato chips have always been one of my biggest weaknesses. If I’m not careful, I can tear through a full size bag of those things in no time. But as I’ve learned firsthand, white potatoes send my blood sugar through the roof. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are actually helpful in controlling blood sugar (not to mention they are rather nutritious). Not only are these chips made with non-GMO sweet potatoes, but they are the only sweet potato chips I could find that are cooked in organic coconut oil instead of the conventional (and terribly unhealthy) oils we normally find in packaged potato chips. This was a huge find, as I try my best to avoid highly refined, polyunsaturated “vegetable” oils like canola, safflower, etc. which are typically found in similar products. They’re pretty delicious too, which is actually a bit of a downfall, because I have to control my intake when they are in front of me. Yeah, they’re that good.

3. Caveman Fuel Original Grass-Fed Beef Jerky and Grass Run Farms 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks

I have to admit, I’m not big on eating meat from a plastic wrapper. But these alternatives to conventional jerky and processed meat products are an exception. These Paleo-approved products are made from properly-raised grass-fed beef, organic spices and are free of nitrates, antibiotics, hormones and other additives. Jeremy is a fan of jerky-like treats, and I’d much prefer he eat these rather than the unhealthy “gas-station versions” we normally have access to.

4. Paleo Treats Brownie Bomb

If I can’t have a fresh-baked Paleo treat, this brownie is a pretty darn good alternative. Made from almond flour, eggs, cacao powder, honey, coconut oil and pecans, this extra chocolate-y brownie really hit the spot when I wanted to indulge in a decadent treat (and I’ve been craving another one ever since).

5. Artisana 100% Organic Raw Almond Butter

As I’ve said before, nuts are one of those foods which I’m sure to limit due to their omega-6 and phytic acid content. But if there is one treat I indulge in daily, it’s an organic Fuji apple with a couple tablespoons of almond butter. Artisana makes these convenient individual packets which are perfect for traveling, so I can bring along some fresh Fuji apples, and I never have to be without my favorite healthy snack.

(Note: the majority of these Paleo travel snacks can be conveniently found at Wild Mountain Paleo Market. Wild Mountain also seems to offer the most reasonable pricing that I’ve been able to find. Unfortunately, their website doesn’t allow me to provide direct links, but the products can be easily found via their menu or search features.)