Cool “On-the-Go” Foods
I don’t know if you are like me, but sometimes I do not get my lunch fixed or am in a hurry to leave and need to grab something for an on-the-go meal or snack. I know I can get a fruit or even a nice Greek yogurt, organic if possible. But the problem with meal replacements, energy bars, or even a sweet item once in a while, is that there are few choices out there that are good and wholesome but won't break the bank. Good and wholesome means they are not full of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners, or loads of preservatives and additives. I must admit that the food industry is catching up to the idea of healthy and wholesome when it comes to quick and easy, FINALLY. Unfortunately, they are quite pricey. I have found a few items that are quick, easy, taste great and are quite acceptable nutrition-wise and OK price-wise.
1. Oatmeal Toasters by Nature's Own (in the bread isle) is a product that can be used as a breakfast or meal replacement. It is a little bit high in carbohydrates for a snack, but pretty good for after the gym as a small meal. One serving is 1 square and has 170 calories, 2 gm fat (3%), 220 mg sodium (10%), 2 gm fiber (7%) 36 gm carbs, 5 gm protein, no high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors or sweeteners. The first ingredient is whole wheat flour. The one negative–it seems a bit high in preservatives. It comes in two flavors: Cranberry Orange and Cinnamon Raisin. They are both delicious.
2. BelVita Breakfast Biscuits (Crunchy) by Nabisco (in the breakfast aisle) and is a nice replacement for breakfast or a sweet snack, especially if you like sweet bread with your coffee for breakfast. It is a little high in fat, but the good kind – monounsaturated fats. One serving is 4 biscuits and has 230 calories, 8 gm fat (12%), 220 mg sodium (9%), 3 gm fiber (12%), 36 gm carbs, 3 gm protein, no high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors or sweeteners, and the first ingredient is whole grain wheat flour. I like to take 1-2 biscuits as a sweet item instead of cake or commercial cookies, which are usually full of nothing. There are 5 flavors: Chocolate, Golden Oat, Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry and Cinnamon Brown Sugar. They are all good! BelVita has a variety of bars, click here for more ideas https://www.belvitabreakfast.com/
3. Nature Valley Crispy Creamy Wafer Bar is new and utterly scrumptious, but a bit pricy for only 5 bars in a box. I only found Peanut Butter Chocolate at the grocer, but they have two other flavors Peanut Butter and Pretzel Peanut Butter. This little item is a great replacement for a candy bar coming in @ 200 calories, 12 gm fat (15%), 130 mg sodium (6%), 3 gm fiber (11%), 18 gm carbs, whole grain wheat & oats, no artificial flavors or HFCS. (Nature Valley has an unbelievable variety of bars. Check them out here https://www.naturevalley.com/products/all-bars
Of course there are many other easy-to-grab products. A bottle of V-8 or tomato juice you can find at any 7-11. Just beware of the sodium. You could choose the low-sodium V-8. If you are at home, pour it in a glass and add 1/2 fresh lemon and a few dashes of ground black pepper and totally improve the taste! Even a low-fat chocolate milk can do in a pinch, which you can find at any convenience store. Try to pick one without high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or artificial flavor/sweetener. If you are at home, change to Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate all natural almond milk. It is absolutely fantastic! No junk at all.
Keep some of these items on hand for quick, easy, on-the-go choices to keep you from going too long between meals or skipping meals–which wreaks havoc on energy and blood sugar levels.
