In honor of it being American Heart Month, here’s a curated list of five road-friendly snacks for a satisfied stomach and healthy heart.
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
We recommend you start by creating a customized mix of heart-healthy nuts. Some of our favorites include almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts. And while they’re technically a legume, peanuts are also great for heart health. Gather a solid variety—fresh and unsalted are best. Try throwing in some roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds while you’re at it. Unsweetened dried fruits like apricots, raisins, dates, or even bananas are another great addition for some sweetness. And if you’re wanting something even sweeter, you can’t go wrong with a few antioxidant-filled dark chocolate chips or chunks.
Veggies and Hummus
Baby carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber all go great with hummus and heart health. If you’re not a hummus fan, then maybe swap it out for just roasted chickpeas. They’re quick and easy to make at home or grab on the go. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of sea salt before throwing some in the oven, or give brands like Biena or Saffron Road a try (just keep an eye on the sugar and sodium per serving). If you’re feeling crazy, you could even sprinkle some on top of your hummus for bonus benefits.
Nut Butter
There are numerous ways to incorporate nut butter into a delicious, trucker-friendly snack. Peanut and almond butter both go great with apples and whole-grain bread or crackers. You could also try making some energy balls filled with your choice of nut butter, oats, seeds, or dark chocolate before hitting the road for the perfect bite-sized pick-me-up.
Canned Fish and Crackers
While this sometimes fragrant snack may be one you choose to enjoy outside of your cab, it’s an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon and tuna are popular picks. Give them a shot on top of whole-grain crackers or rice cakes.
Greek Yogurt and Berries
When it comes to dairy, it’s recommended you stick to low-fat or fat-free options when possible to limit saturated fat. So, the same goes for protein-packed greek yogurt. Plain is also best to skip out on any added sugar. However, you can still spice things up by adding berries or honey on top.
Lastly, some honorable mentions include multigrain bean or sweet potato chips, edamame, avocado toast, popcorn (as long as you keep the salt and butter light), and fruit canned in natural juice or light syrup.