'Tis the season to travel, and airport kiosks and gas stations don't exactly scream health food. Hanger is real. So here are our top 10 vegan snacks for the car, the plane or your desk: plant-based, reasonably healthy and, for the most part, easy to find or pack. We've kept this list to snack types rather than brands, because what's on the shelf changes, so always check the label to make sure your pick is vegan.
What should you look for in a travel snack?
The best travel snacks are easy to eat with one hand, don't need a fridge and keep you full until your next real meal. That usually means some combination of protein, fiber and healthy fat, rather than sugar alone. If you're flying, also think about security: anything creamy or spreadable counts as a liquid or gel (more on that below).
Our top 10 vegan snacks for holiday travel
- Pita chips and hummus. A classic. The hummus adds protein and fat, so the chips go further. Many airport newsstands now sell single-serve hummus packs with pretzels or chips.
- Nut butter packets and a banana. Single-serve squeeze packs of almond or peanut butter are small enough for a carry-on and pair perfectly with a banana or an apple.
- Plant-based protein bars. They're everywhere now and come in every flavor imaginable. Look for one with a short ingredient list and a decent amount of protein, and check it's dairy- and honey-free.
- Dried fruit. Go for no-sugar-added versions. Hit the bulk section before your trip for the best value; dried apples and mango are in most convenience stores too.
- Chia pudding. Make it the night before with chia seeds, plant milk and a little sweetener, then pack it in a small jar. Remember it counts as a gel at airport security.
- Granola. Salty, sweet, crunchy and good by the handful or over a cup of plant-based yogurt when you land. Some granolas use honey, so read the label.
- Dark chocolate and peanut butter cups. Every self-respecting snack list needs one treat. Plenty of dark chocolate is dairy-free, but not all of it, so check.
- Roasted chickpeas or pea crisps. All the crunch of chips with more protein and fiber. Great with hummus, too.
- A protein shake on the go. Pack a single-serve stick of protein powder and a shaker or bottle, then add water once you're past security. Our So Lean & So Clean single serves give you 23 g of organic plant protein per packet.
- An apple. The original snack food. Hard to argue with that.
Which snacks can you take through airport security?
Solid snacks like bars, chips, dried fruit and whole fruit are easy. Creamy foods are the catch: hummus, nut butter, yogurt and chia pudding are treated as liquids or gels, so in a carry-on they need to follow the TSA liquids rule, which means 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per container, all in one quart-size bag. We learned that the hard way with a coconut yogurt. If you're traveling internationally, fresh fruit may not be allowed into your destination, so eat it on the plane.
How do you avoid hanger on a long travel day?
- Eat a proper meal before you leave, so snacks are a top-up rather than lunch.
- Pack more than you think you'll need. Delays happen.
- Carry an empty water bottle through security and refill it on the other side.
For more ways to make the trip easier, read our 12 tips for stress-free holiday travel and how to stay healthy while traveling. Heading to a big holiday meal? Here's how to navigate Thanksgiving as a vegan.
