However, when you’re on the road, gas stations are one of the easiest places to stop and get food, especially when you’re driving long-distance. You can’t always pack food to bring with you, and even if you do, you might get hungry later during your long car ride and need some snacks.

While there are tons of unhealthy road trip snacks to get at gas stations, don’t worry, there are also healthier options you can enjoy.

So, here are the best gas station snacks you can get on your road trip. Most of these are pretty healthy and actually good for you so you don’t have to worry about ruining your healthy diet while on a trip, and all of them will also hit the spot when you need to take a break and have something to snack on.

Best Gas Station Snacks

Mixed Nuts

One of the best snacks you can get at a gas station is a bag of mixed nuts. It gives you protein, healthy fats, and dietary fiber, so it’s not only tasty, but good for you as well. Nuts are rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, vitamin E, and antioxidants. These nutrients can give you energy for the day and for your road, and help keep hunger levels down. If you’re on a weight loss journey, be mindful of portion sizes, as nuts are usually calorie-dense.  

Greek Yogurt

Some gas stations offer Greek yogurt cups, which are great sources of protein, calcium, and probiotics for digestive health. Because it contains good amounts of protein, greek yogurt can give you an energy boost for your trip, which can especially be helpful for those long car rides. If you want the healthiest option, you should opt for the plain, non-fat variety to keep added sugars to a minimum. For a well-rounded snack, you can add fresh fruit on top or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor.

Fresh Fruit

Another amazing snack from the gas station is fresh fruit. While not all gas stations have fresh fruit, those bigger ones usually do, so if you find one that has it, this is the snack to get. Fruit has tons of nutrients and vitamins, so it’s healthy for you. Plus, fruit usually has lots of natural sugars, so it will give you a quick energy boost and keep you awake. Most gas stations will have fruit such as bananas, apples, oranges, and maybe berries.

String Cheese

String cheese can give you protein and calcium, so it’s a good option for a road trip snack. It can help keep you full and it can give you some energy for the day. One stick of string cheese gives you about 6-7 grams of protein, so that’s a good snack serving. If you want to make your snack a bit bigger, you can pair it with some nuts or fresh fruit.

Trail Mix

Trail mix can also be a balanced snack option. Trail mixes usually contain a combo of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Because of all of that, you get healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates, which give you energy. If you’re on a weight loss journey, just like with nut mixes, you should keep track of the portion you’re eating, as they can be higher in calories, but they’re a much better option than lots of other unhealthy snacks that are available at gas stations.

Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is very delicious, and if eaten in moderation, it can be a good snack option. It’s packed with protein and it’s low in fats and carbs. However, it can often be very high in sodium, so you don’t want to go overboard when eating it. It’s great that you’re going to get lots of protein, which gives you energy, but you don’t want to eat too much sodium.

Veggie Chips

Veggie chips are an amazing snack option. First of all, they give you the crunchy texture you’re probably craving, but without the trans fats and all of the not-so-great stuff that comes with regular potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, and similar. Okay, sure salt and vinegar chips, nacho cheese Doritos, and flaming hot Cheetos are probably tastier than veggie chips, but if you’re looking for a healthy snack, that’s a much better choice. 

Protein Bars

Protein bars can be a really handy snack for those long car rides when you need something to pick you up. The protein content will give you energy, but make sure to look for those with little to no added sugar, to keep them as healthy as possible. There are lots of different flavors and flavor combinations that you can choose from, so you’ll definitely be able to find something you like.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Some gas stations also have pre-packaged hard-boiled eggs. While they can’t be found at every single gas station, if you do manage to find them, these can be great options for a snack. One or two eggs can be a great protein-packed snack to give you an energy boost, or you can eat one egg and maybe pair it with string cheese.

Hard-boiled eggs are also one of the great brain food snack ideas, so they’re definitely very good for road trips.

Popcorn

Popcorn can also be a good gas station snack, especially if you find the air-popped ones. If you’re looking for the healthiest option, you should look for air-popped ones with no added flavor (cheese or butter ones usually have more calories and fats).

Dried Seaweed Snacks

If you’re looking for a salty and crunchy snack that’s lower in calories, dried seaweed snacks can be a great option for you. They have vitamins and minerals, and as they’re not high in calories, they’ll work for you even if you’re on a weight loss journey. While their flavor is unique, if you like them, it can be something you can easily snack on without any guild of ruining your healthy diet.

Dark Chocolate

If you want a sweet snack, dark chocolate can be a great option for you. They’re much healthier and better for you than candy bars with all of that added sugar, and dark chocolate actually has some health benefits and helps with mood, energy, and memory. Just make sure to look for those with at least 70% cocoa content to maximize the benefits.

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