Do you feel like when you’re in an airport… or in the air… or in the car (fill in the blanks)… the calories (and points) somehow don’t count…?
A little planning can stop you from making poor choices—en route and at your travel destination. Stay happy, healthy, and in control on your vacation!
Here are my Top Healthy Travel Snacks
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Corazonas Mini Oatmeal Squares (My #1 Travel Snack!)
This is my favorite packaged snack—period. I especially love the minis because they’re just big enough to satisfy a craving, and only cost 2 – 3 points. (Try a Peanut Butter Mini with a cup of tea or coffee… mmmhmmm good. You’ll think twice before purchasing a pastry!)
2 – 3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per bar
Where to Buy:
- Corazonas.com Use coupon code ORNABAKES25 for FREE SHIPPING over $25!
- Amazon
- Corazonas Minis at Costco
- Corazonas Oatmeal Squares (full size) at Ralphs/Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Gelsons Market (California)
BelVita Breakfast Biscuits
I’m pretty much ready to eat from the minute I’m awake, so if I’m in some hotel room and have to wait for hours till we’re in a restaurant eating, I’m… shall we say… not my most pleasant self! That’s why I always pack something to tide me over.
6 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 4 biscuits (It’s always less points if you share!)
Perfect for sharing with hungry cousins on Safari in South Africa. (Sorry to those of you in the back who never got any.)
Where to Buy: Costco, Target, pretty much everywhere
Or NEW from Kellogg’s – To Go Morning Biscuits (only 4 WW PP for four delicious biscuits)
Where to Buy: Amazon, Ralph’s (Kroger)
Blueberry Oat Bran Muffins
Make these delicious, healthy muffins ahead, pop them in the freezer, and you’ll have portable breakfast for the whole family.
3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per muffin
Click here for the super-simple recipe >>
Luna Fiber Bars
These are not the sexiest bar around, but they are tasty and satisfying, and get you to the next meal. (What is the sexiest bar around, you might ask…? For me that would have to be a PureFit Peanut Butter Crunch, but I don’t usually spend 6 points on a bar when there’s food to be eaten!)
3 PointsPlus per bar
Where to Buy: Target, Ralphs/Kroger/Whole Foods
What’s your bar of choice?
Peanut Butter Sammy
There’s nothing worse than spending 20 points on a BBQ Chicken Sandwich and greasy chips that you don’t even like, so I always pack an emergency meal.
A teaspoon or two of peanut butter (1 WW PP per tspn) on an Oroweat Sandwich Thin (3 PP) will keep you satisfied, and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. I’m a peanut butter purist, but feel free to add some jelly too!
Beach or Pool Munchies
Cosomi Salty Sweet Cookie Cracker
I AM IN LOVE WITH THESE! Sweet and salty cookie-meets-cracker, with a slight hint of sesame and coconut. And your kids will LOVE them too. Individual packs are fab for traveling.
4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 13 crackers
Where to buy: Now in all So-Cal Costco Stores! (20 individual packs in a box), Amazon, Gelsons Market, California (4 individual packs in a box)
Rocks n’ Rolls
I discovered these delicious low fat, low sugar cookies years ago when I was a Weight Watchers Leader in West Los Angeles—right across the road from the BEST frozen yogurt place, The Big Chill. (Anyone know it?) And they kept all kinds of diet-friendly goodies. Back then it was tough for me not to finish the whole bag, so if this kind of thing is a trigger for you, don’t buy them! But they’re a fun treat for traveling—as long as you can share.
3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus values for 30 grams
I get the Lemon (Whole Foods) and Almond (Gelsons)—after Whole Foods so so sadly stopped carrying the my favorite Cinnamon flavor!
Shells and Pods
I’ll choose anything with a shell, pod, or pit, because it slows me down. These are all fun for travel—just don’t forget to pack a trash bag.
Pumpkin Seeds in Shell
Once you master the art of getting the meat without eating half the shell, these are good eats!
4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 1/4 cup (edible part only)
Soy Beans/Edamame (Weight Watchers Power Food)
Fresh English Peas in Pod (Weight Watchers Power Food)
Look for these at your local Farmer’s Market. The smaller the peas, the sweeter, so don’t be seduced by the over-sized ones. It can be tricky telling the difference between English Peas and Sugar Snap Peas—a latter being a better choice if you’re the driver, because the whole thing is edible.
Where to buy: Farmer’s Markets, Whole Foods, Gelsons Market
Snack Attack
I’m sure you already know about the usual almonds, Pretzel Slims and Trail Mix, so here are a few you might not have thought of…
Somersaults (Nut Free)
Yummy whole grain snacks, with sunflower seeds and toasted grains, and a super-satisfying crunch. They provide the same amount of protein as almonds, but with half the fat and fewer calories.
The Salt & Pepper and Cinnamon Crunch are my favs. But these pre-measured bags curb mindless munching.
4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 15 nuggets (30g)
Where to Buy: Amazon, Target, Ralphs/Kroger, Gelsons
Popcorn!
If there’s a microwave in your hotel room, take along microwave popcorn! (My go-to, back-on-track Weight Watchers Simple Start snack). Or pop up a bag before you leave and take it in the car. (Best road food!)
Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop 94% Fat Free Kettle Korn (Weight Watchers Power Food)
ZERO points if you’re following the Weight Watchers Simple Start or Simply Filling Plans
-or-
Trader Joe’s Lite Kettle Corn
3 WW PP per bag
-or-
Angie’s Boom ChickAPop Snack Packs (Gluten Free)
2 WW PP per bag (Target/Costco)
Where to Buy: Amazon
Fruit Fix
Trader Joe’s Apple Slices
Dip in a Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge (below)
Other fun fresh choices: grapes, blueberries, sugar snap peas, edamame, sliced jicama, kumquats, cherries, cherry tomatoes, carrots
And when you just can’t take fresh…
Apple Chips
I always have Apple Chips on me for emergency snack-attacks! (mine or my little one’s)
My favs are Kirkland Real Sliced Fruit from Costco. Small bags are easy to pack, and only 1 point each. (Kid Friendly)
1 WW PP per pouch
In close second are Trader Joe’s Fuji Apple Slices (NEW)
Crunchy and chewy and great for sharing. I love that they left the skins on, so they’re higher in fiber and nutrients.
3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for the whole bag
That’s It Fruit Snack Bars (Gluten Free)
Just fruit. That’s It.
Now at Costco!
3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per 35g bar
The new Apple & Pineapple flavor is verrrry pineapple-y. My favs are Apple Mango and Apple Apricot.
Where to buy: Amazon, Whole Foods, Gelsons (with the dried fruit), Costco
… and guess who else jumped on That’s It’s bandwagon?!
Yup, you guessed it!
Trader Joe’s Fruit Bars (Gluten Free)
I was ecstatic to find the Apple Coconut bars at TJ’s because I LOVE coconut. These have a wonderful, fresh, coconutty flavor. They break apart a little so maybe not the best choice while you’re driving!
Only 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per 30g bar (even the Apple Coconut flavor!)
Trader Joe’s Apple Carrot Crushers or GoGo SqueeZ
Fresh fruit is of course more satisfying than squeezable fruit—which doesn’t have as much fiber—but it’s a good way of getting fruit or veggies into your kids (or yourself) when you’re traveling.
1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per pouch
Protein Power
Trader Joe’s Turkey Jerky, original
High Protein, low fat snack. Nice and soft on the teeth, and a little sweet with a lovely smokey flavor. Keep a bag in the car and in the hotel room for an instant protein fix!
2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus values for 1oz (28g)
Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Cheese Wedges
These don’t need to be refrigerated which makes them great for travel. I eat them straight, but you can spread them on apple slices, or a Food Should Taste Good Brown Rice Cracker or a Corn Thin (Whole Foods) for an anytime snack!
LOVE the Queso Fresco & Chipotle flavor (Amazon, Ralphs, Vons)
1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per wedge
Where to Buy: Costco (best price), Trader Joe’s (2nd best price), Vons/Pavillions (greatest variety), Ralph’s/Kroger, Amazon, Gelsons
After Dinner Treat
We can usually resist restaurant desserts, but I always crave just a little sweet treat when I’m back in my room. Instead of having the hotel staff hunt down chocolates in the wee hours of the morning (yup, I’ve done it)… I try to come prepared!
Trader Joe’s Mini Milk Chocolate Bars
Like most South Africans, I’m a chocolate snob. These are definitely “worthy”! Smooth and creamy Belgiun Chocolate.
3 WW PP per 100 calorie bar
Madeleines
Soft, cakey, delicious traditional French Cookies. One or two of these do the trick!
5 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 2 cookies
Where to Buy: Trader Joe’s or Starbucks (You can also get them at Costco, but I wouldn’t advise buying a huge container of these unless you’re throwing a huge bash!)
Meringue Cookies
3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 4 meringues
Where to Buy: Trader Joe’s
Or better yet… make your own Italian Meringue Cookies (Brutti Ma Buoni) with sliced almonds
1 WW PP per cookie
A See’s Candies Lollypop will keep you occupied for a loooong time! Great for the car or airplane because they don’t melt.
Only 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for one delicious lollypop!
This cute little box of Reed’s Ginger Candy or Gin-Gins will fit in your purse. (Cost Plus/Gelsons)
Your mouth will be on fire so there’s only so much damage you can do.
1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus each
Or 1 WW PP for 2 Ginger Chews from Trader Joe’s.
I also love these teeny-weeny boxes of Botan Rice Candy! (Cost Plus) (I’m all about controlled portions.)
The best part is that you can eat the rice paper.
2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for the box
Please don’t write me that these are not healthy snacks and I should be listing string cheese and turkey sandwiches. You already know how to make a turkey sandwich. These are my ideas for more interesting treats to keep you away from the real decadent stuff!
What are your favorite travel snacks?
Click here for my Trader Joe’s Shopping List (with Weight Watchers PointsPlus) >>
Click here for my Costco Shopping List (with WW PP) >>
Click here for my Target Shopping List (with WW PP) >>
Click here for Starbucks & La Boulange—Picks and Points >>
17 Responses
Out of curiosity, why are the TJ fruit crushers not a power food? Is there juice inside as well as fruit? The apple banana ones too?
I LOVE the Fuji apple slices, I’m obsessed really. The freeze dried strawberries are also amazing! I eat them as a treat over several days & the flavor is amazing!
I’m guessing that it’s because they don’t have much fiber and so aren’t as filling or nutrient-packed as a piece of fruit, and could easily be abused.
Love your site!!! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tips. Do you have any tips on visiting disneyland? We go often and I never know for sure which snacks/food is best for ww?
Thank you!
Cassandra
Thank you Cassandra! TJ’s Apple Slices, TJ’s mango slices, PB or Turkey and hummus sandwiches on sandwich thins, apple chips, string cheese, turkey slices, ziploc bags of popcorn for kids. (I’ve gone twice with my friend Nicole and her two girls, and some of these were her great ideas!) Hope that helps.
Thank you!
(Sharing this post on Pinterest. Please enter me in your drawing.)
As a habitual Trader Joes shopper, I see some of my favorite travel snacks on your list, like the turkey jerky and the kettle corn. I also like the little washed and peeled carrots and their Fiberful granola bars (3ppv). When we go on a long car trip, we usually have our little mini cooler, and we also bring fresh fruit, lite string cheese and hard boiled eggs.
Sounds like you got the healthy snacks covered, Cindy! Thanks for your comment and for sharing on Pinterest – I’m going to follow you back…
I like to slice apples and carry in ziplock bag.Just got back from bus trip to Canada and just picked up apple at continental breakfast at hotel and was set for the day!
You can’t go wrong with an apple Sue Anna! Thanks for sharing my post on FB!
Oops forgot to say I shared on Facebook
My favorite travel snack is mixed dried fruit and nuts. I’m entering the giveaway, I’m an email subscriber, and I shared the giveaway on facebook.
Thank you Dandi! I usually take the little bags of cranberries, raisins and pepitas that come with my Minsley Steelcut Oats from Costco.
I would love to enter the contest and my favorite travel snack is the 100 Calorie Packs of Emerald Cocoa or Vanilla Roasted Almonds. 3 points plus/serving and they are easy to keep in your purse for emergencies! I will share this post on Twitter!
Good ideas DeAnnah – thanks for sharing! And for tweeting my list.
Where would I look in Costco for Corazonas? Cereal isle? Candy isle? I go to Costco all the time and never noticed these. I am wanting to try them. Thanks.
This is great, I am shopping today and have added a few of these to my list.
Well Joy… what did you try? 😉