Stay Healthy on the Go: Smart Travel Snacks

Eating well while travelling isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re dashing through an airport, on a road trip through the countryside, or heading off for a long weekend, food can easily become an afterthought. It’s often a case of convenience over nutrition, especially when the most accessible travel snack foods are from a vending machine or drive-through.

Finding healthy snacks while travelling doesn’t need to be difficult or dull. With a bit of planning and a few simple recipes, you can pack snacks that are just as portable as they are nutritious. From no-bake energy balls to chocolate-covered dates, these ideas will help you to snack smarter when you’re on the move. 

Easy Make-Ahead Travel Snack Recipes: 

Chocolate & cranberry energy balls

Ingredients:

• 150g rolled oats

• 50g dark chocolate chips

• 50g cranberries 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp nut butter

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 2 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk 

Recipe:

1. Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix.

2. Blend in the wet ingredients, vanilla extract, nut butter, maple syrup, and milk, and stir until the ingredients begin to bind together. 

3. Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture into your hands and roll into small balls.

4. Repeat until all of this is used.

5. Pop into an airtight container and chill in the fridge. They will keep for 2 weeks in the fridge, or you can freeze them and let them thaw slightly before consuming.

Variations:

1. Tropical: Swap cranberries for chopped dried mango or pineapple and add desiccated coconut.

2. Almond Mocha: Swap cranberries for chopped almonds. Stir in 1 tsp instant coffee and 1 tbsp cacao powder.

3. Chocolate Hazelnut: Swap the cranberries for toasted hazelnuts. Add cacao powder. 

Oaty Banana Muffins

Serves 12

Ingredients:

• 200g oats

• 2 bananas

• 2 eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract 

• 2 tsp baking powder 

• 30-50g honey or brown sugar 

• 50ml vegetable oil

• 120ml milk or non-dairy alternative 

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 100g dark chocolate chips

• 50g walnuts, chopped (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper muffin cases. 

2. Mix the wet ingredients. In a bowl, mash the bananas. Crack the eggs into the bowl, then add the vanilla extract, oil, milk, and honey (or sugar). Whisk together until well combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. 

4. Combine Mixtures: Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the dark chocolate and walnuts.

5. Pour the mixture into the cases and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Covered Dates

Makes approx. 12

Ingredients:

• 12 Medjool dates, pitted

• 3-4 tbsp peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

• 100g dark chocolate

• Sea salt (optional)

Method:

1. Slice each date lengthways and remove the pit if not already pitted.

2. Fill the centre of each date with around half a teaspoon of peanut butter.

3. Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.

4. Dip each date into the melted chocolate, coating it fully.

5. Place the dates on a tray lined with baking paper and sprinkle with sea salt.

6. Pop in the freezer for up to 30 minutes & keep in an airtight container for up to a week

Quick Grab-And-Go Snack List for road trips:

• DIY Trail Mix (nuts, seeds, raisins, dark chocolate chips)

• Vegetable sticks with houmous (carrots, cucumber, pepper) 

• Apple slices with peanut butter (use lemon juice to prevent browning)

• Roasted chickpeas (oven-baked with spices)

• Cheese Cubes with Cherry Tomatoes (use cocktail sticks or skewer into a snack pot)

• Oatcakes or wholegrain crackers (pair with nut butter or cheese)

• Fresh fruit (satsumas, grapes, apples, no prep needed)

• Of course, Huel Ready-to-drink or Huel bars are great options!  

With a bit of prep, you can head out with travel snacks that are tasty, convenient, and made with nutritious ingredients. From energy balls to banana muffins and simple grab-and-go options, there’s no need to rely on less nutritious choices while you’re on the road.

Words: Jessica Stansfield, Registered Nutritionist, Nutrition Manager