5 Delicious and Affordable Snacks to Pack for the Beach
Whether you’re planning on hitting the beach this summer or just want to reminisce about the last time you were there, having something delicious and healthy on hand can help you enjoy your time on the sand that much more. These five easy-to-pack snacks are a tasty way to keep yourself going, whether you’re spending all day at the beach or just a few hours. No matter what type of snack you choose, make sure to bring along plenty of water – it’s important to stay hydrated even when you aren’t feeling thirsty!
1) Sandwiches
Sandwiches are one of my favorite snacks to take on a beach trip. They're easy, you can eat them with your hands, and if you make them small they don't take up too much room in your cooler. Use sandwich bread instead of bulky rolls or bagels—it'll save space in your cooler without sacrificing flavor. Just be sure to keep it fresh by wrapping each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap before putting it away. As an added bonus, sandwiches like these turkey wraps also give you more wiggle room when it comes to calories; instead of measuring out every single snack that goes into your cooler (something I always forget to do), you can grab one big sandwich bundle out at a time rather than grabbing multiple smaller snacks throughout the day. Plus, who doesn't love a good sammy? If you find yourself hungry but don't want to pack another serving of snacks, all you have to do is whip out a different kind of protein or cheese; tuna salad is great on sourdough bread and egg salad tastes amazing in pita pockets. Sandwich spreads also make healthy dips: hummus and babaganoush taste great smeared over pita wedges! Experimenting with different sandwiches is one way to make your beach vacation food more exciting!
2) Fruit
There are tons of fruits that travel well. When it comes to fruit, tropical varieties are some of our favorites. A little bit of coconut—either shredded or milk—is a nice addition to any snack-pack. It’s also great with granola, oatmeal, or yogurt! We’re big fans of cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, papaya (there are so many varieties!), berries (blueberries especially), citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines, pineapple (also one of our favorite fruits on its own!) is always tasty...the list goes on. There’s not much you can do wrong here. Plus, they pack their own juice for added refreshment factor. Even if your next trip takes place in autumn or winter, we recommend packing a few pieces of tropical fruit anyway; we know we do! Just look out for freshness and quality when picking out your treats; bruised fruits tend to go bad more quickly than unblemished ones. Same goes for buying them pre-cut. Buy only what you will eat, no matter how pretty they look at checkout; whole fruits last longer than prepackaged pieces any day. And yes, there are plenty of portable snacks other than fruit available wherever you live! But when in doubt, stick with something tried and true to keep things simple at home or on-the-go: yummy bits of juicy goodness!
3) Meat & Cheese
Just be sure to wrap it well so you don’t lose any deliciousness in transit. Toasted baguette slices are great when paired with hard cheeses like cheddar or manchego, or gourmet meats like prosciutto or salami. Publix has tons of different varieties of meat and cheese, so be sure to stop by for fresh cut meat while you're at the beach! Toss in some fresh berries, sliced apples, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, sweet potato chips—whatever strikes your fancy. Just be sure your snack is portable (sand in swimsuits isn’t much fun) and fits into your overall diet plan. You’ll need the energy to keep yourself and your kids active at the beach!
4) Veggies + dip
Packing veggies is a great way to get in some extra nutrients while you’re hanging out at the beach. Cut up carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers—whatever you want! They pair well with hummus or ranch dressing. Also, these snacks can help stave off any afternoon sugar cravings (because who wants that right when they’re trying to relax?). Bring along some whole-grain crackers and chips as backup if you need something salty. Just remember not to overeat; with all of that time in the sun, chances are your appetite will increase! This makes it important to watch what you snack on. Foods like nuts provide healthy fats that fill us up without adding too many calories or sugar. Bringing lots of water bottles will also help fight off dehydration, which is another common issue people run into at beaches. The last thing anyone wants during their relaxing vacation is being sick! It’s worth noting:
5) Dried fruit
Dried fruit is a great choice because it’s low in calories, but high in fiber. It's also inexpensive and doesn't need refrigeration. In fact, according to one study from Pennsylvania State University, dried fruit has as much as 15 times more antioxidant activity than fresh fruit! Dried fruits with a lower calorie count include apricots (96 calories per cup), cranberries (50 per 3/4 cup) and prunes (100 per 1/2 cup). Fruits that are higher in sugar—such as pineapple, mangoes and bananas—are better off eaten on their own or mixed into plain yogurt or smoothies. Fresh berries are good choices because they're generally low in sugar.