Travel-Friendly Vegan Snacks

If you choose to live a plant-based lifestyle, you probably know that finding food on the road isn’t always the easiest. I’m here to tell you exactly what snacks you can bring with you to make sure you’re staying healthy and happy. This list is what I would take with me on road trip, a plane across the continent, or on a day trip to the next city over. Snack-prepping and planning ahead has really changed the way I travel, making it a breeze. Keep reading to find out how you can make traveling as a vegan effortless.

Traveling as a vegan and following a healthy lifestyle on vacation can be difficult sometimes, but it certainly isn’t impossible. I’ve followed a plant-based diet for almost five years and I’ve learned how to survive on the road, on a plane, and in countries where I barely speak the language. It’s been tricky, with many (MANY) learning curves, but I’m very pleased to say that I’ve made it work for myself.

One of the most important things I’ve learned about traveling with dietary restrictions is to prepare ahead of time. Starting your trip with pre-prepared snacks and meals can save you time, stress, and money. Scrounging around the airport for a quick veggie bite and reading nutrition label, after nutrition label is exhausting. I’ve been there, done that, and try to avoid those scenarios at all costs.

Preparing ahead of time can also look like scouting out local vegan-friendly restaurants or learning useful phrases in the respective language of the place you are visiting. When I spent a few days in Paris, I made sure to learn “milk”, “meat”, and “eggs” en français, so that whenever I looked at a menu I could quickly recognize the allergens that wouldn’t work for me.

Without further ado, here is the list I’ve created to help you prepare for your next adventure! These snack ideas are quick, healthy, and will give you a great headstart on your vacation snacking. Safe travels and happy eating!

Fresh Fruit

Fruit is first on my list because it is by-far the simplest snack that you can pack. I encourage you to add fruits such as apples, oranges and bananas to your snack list. Just make sure to leave them whole, with the peel on!

Dried Fruit

Going the dried/dehydrated route is a great way to keep yourself satiated during your travels. Bringing yourself snacks like dried dates, plums and apricots is not only convenient, but it will nourish your body too. According to Healthline, dried fruit contains up to “3.5 times the fiber, vitamins and minerals of fresh fruit”.

Trail Mix

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Trail mix? Really creative, Genevieve. I’ll be honest, making my own trail mix has changed the game for me. Instead of spending a ridiculous amount on a packaged, sugar-loaded mix, I simply throw together whatever I have in my pantry. The trail mix in the picture above was very simple. All that went into it was leftover cashews and almonds, with some raisins and unsweetened coconut flakes. I was able to use what I already had, and it only took about 30 seconds.

Here’s what you can add to make a healthy trail mix:

dried fruits/berries like raisins, apricots, cherries, and banana chips
nuts (cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, exc.)
seeds (sunflower, chia, pepitas, exc.)
unsweetened chocolate chips or cacao nibs
cinnamon, nutmeg
salt (if everything else is unsalted)

Protein Balls

If you’ve never made protein balls (also called “energy bites”), this is a great opportunity! In this wonderful blog post, you can learn all about how to make your own, with nine different flavors to inspire your cooking. All of her protein bite recipes are vegan, gluten free and sure to keep your body fueled for your day!

Protein Cookies

For my upcoming trip, I decided to try out this protein cookie recipe. I was so excited to find a recipe that was both keto and vegan, to satisfy the lifestyles of my boyfriend and I. After adjusting a couple of ingredients, I was very pleased with how the cookies turned out. They’re going to be the perfect, protein-rich snack to keep our sweet teeth in check.

Snack Bars

when I’m looking for a quick and wholesome snack, Larabars are my go-to. If you don’t have time to make your own snack bars, I highly recommend finding a brand that makes their products with whole-food ingredients. I promise that it will leave you feeling happier and healthier afterwords.

Nut Butter

This is another packable snack that is totally worth purchasing. I love Justin’s single serve packets because they are perfect when you’re on the go. Natural nut butter, sans preservatives, is my preference, but it’s not as convenient as the alternative, shelf-stable nut butters. With the single-serve packets, there is no worry about refrigeration because each packet contains about two tablespoons of butter. They’re absolutely perfect if you need to top off your oatmeal or you’re looking for a protein-rich snack.

Roasted Chickpeas

Last, but certainly not least, is oven-roasted chickpeas. They are super easy to make at home and customize to your liking. I followed this recipe and chose the nacho cheese-style flavor. They are oil-free, vegan, and only took about five minutes of prep time. I highly recommend this snack if you’re looking to add a bit of protein to your snack bag.

There you have it! Those are my recommendations for healthy, travel-friendly snacks. I really enjoyed putting this list together for you, and hopefully it provided some helpful insight. I love to travel and experience new parts of the world, it’s one of my favorite things to do. I hope that these snack ideas can keep you happy and healthy on your next adventure.

Until next time!

Genevieve <3