Try These 5 Gas Station Snacks
When you’re on the road, you can get a little bored from time to time. And when some people are bored, they tend to get hungry. What’s tough is finding a satisfying snack that has substance while you’re on the road. Potato chips and candy bars are a dime a dozen at gas stations but finding something that’s at least relatively healthy is pretty challenging.
In fact, truck drivers are at a 50% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to the national average. We’re not saying it’s always possible to find a truly healthy option at a gas station but there are definitely options to choose from that are less harmful to your body long-term, than others.
With that being said, we’ve put together a list of five go-to gas station snacks to try – that have more than just empty calories and multitudes of sugar.
1. Trail Mix or Nuts
If given the choice between the two, nuts will likely be your healthier option since a majority of trail mixes include candy or pretzels. Regardless, nuts are a great source of protein, just be sure you read the label carefully, a lot of canned nuts can be high in sodium or sugar. Try finding roasted or lightly salted nuts. If it’s a trail mix, look for mixes with more dried fruit and nuts as opposed to candy or pretzels.
2. Crackers or Veggie Chips
Not all crackers are the same. If you’re craving a cracker as a snack look for something that’s baked, low sodium, not something fried or buttery. Another alternative that’s gone mainstream, in recent years is veggie chips. Veggie chips still aren’t the healthiest alternative but compared to regular chips, that only are made with potatoes, salt and oil typically, you will get fiber and less sodium with veggie chips.
3. Granola Bars
Granola bars or protein bars make for an easy to find, easy to eat healthy snack on the road. Like many of these snacks though, choose wisely and read the labels. We know they’re pretty tasty, but Nature Valley bars are notorious for their high saturated fat content and low protein. Plus, they always leave crumbs everywhere and make a mess while you eat, not ideal for someone who’s trying to drive. Look for CLIF bars or the KIND bars that are the Madagascar Vanilla Almond or Peanut Butter Strawberry flavors.
4. Popcorn
This is a great alternative compared to snacking on potato chips or French fries. Even if they only offer popcorn un-popped in the bag, a lot of gas stations have microwaves you can use as well! Try sticking with a non-buttered or lightly buttered option.
5. Fresh Fruit
This last one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often fruit gets overlooked or completely unnoticed at gas stations with all the attention-grabbing candy and chip options displayed in colorful packaging. In an effort to promote healthy eating habits, most gas stations now make an effort to have some sort of fresh fruit available. Fruit is jam-packed with Vitamin C and Fiber which will keep your immune system running on all cylinders. What’s great about these snacks is you can easily eat them without compromising your safety while driving your truck. Plus, they require little to no prep time. So, next time you’re on the road – remember this list of snacks before reaching for the Funyuns — no matter how delicious they may be.
