What Gluten Free Snacks Will You Be Eating This Summer?

… Here’s a List of Great Grab-N-Go Snacks for Your Busy Schedule!

With the busy on-the-go months coming into full swing here in the next few weeks, or perhaps you feel like you’re already in the middle of them, having healthy and quick gluten-free snacks on hand is a must. We’re often at baseball games, soccer games, sitting at the beach, playing poolside, enjoying outdoor picnics, and so many other activities. Or the kids are just at home all day … and hungry! 

Having snacks on hand that are quick and easy to make, will travel well, and will be a healthy addition to your busy lifestyle is not an impossible feat to achieve. I’ve put together a list of “safe” gluten-free snacks that will keep you and your traveling companions or playmates feeling satisfied, energized, and worry-free. 

Some of these snacks are pre-made grab-and-go products, and some are easily put together at home.

Trail Mix

Homemade trail mix is very easy to prepare, doesn’t spoil easily, stores well, and travels without much fuss. Here’s a quick recipe: In a large resealable baggie, combine nuts, dried cherries, blueberries, and raisins (or fruits of your choice), chocolate chips (if you won’t be out in the sun and heat too long), and sunflower or pumpkin seeds. You have fast, medium, and slow burning foods to provide a balanced blood sugar level, resulting in sustained energy without a crash.

Want a seasoned or spicy trail mix: Combine Chex Gluten Free Cereal, nuts or peanuts, and Schar Cheese Bites (NOT dairy-free) in a bowl. In a measuring cup, combine a little cooking oil (no precise measurements – it depends on the size batch you’re making) with some onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Stir then drizzle over cereal mix and toss to lightly coat. Bake in a preheated 350ºF oven for about 10-15 minutes. Let cool. Mix will be tasty and travel well in a plastic container. 

For pre-made trail mixes, try: Enjoy Life Not Nuts Seed and Fruit Mix or one of their "Crunch" Granola mixes. (For my review, click here.) 

Energy Bars

Homemade energy bars are very easy to make and are can so easily be adapted to use the ingredients in your home that fit your taste buds. Here’s my recipe for Chewy Fruit and Nut Trail Mix Bars. These are easy to make ahead. Just cut into individual portions, wrap bars, and store in freezer for your next quick grab-n-go snack. They stay fresh for up to a week even without freezing or chilling in the fridge, if you can keep them around that long. 

For pre-made energy bars, try: Raw Revolution, Kind Bars, LARABAR, and PureFit Bars.

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bites 

Simple as it sounds … just slice up some veggies and fruit and store in a resealable container in the fridge. Great to grab in a hurry and pair with peanut or  Justin's Nut Butter (see my review) for a snack that will fill you up the right way. Great for letting kids be independent about grabbing their snacks while still making good choices.

Hummus and Crackers or Veggies

Hummus Recipes are so easy even ‘tweens can prepare them. Hummus can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a few days. Keep gluten free crackers, or some of those already cut up veggies, on hand for a fast lunch or a great pick-me up mid-day snack. Travels well in a cooler to picnics, soccer games, and pool parties.

Meat and Cheese Roll-ups

These are easy and offer a high protein, low-carb snack choice. Layer a slice of cheese atop a slice of meat, then roll up into a log. Make many roll-ups, then store in fridge in an air-tight container. Three prepared deli meats that contain no gluten are Boar's Head, Applegate Farms, and Columbus. Many of these are also casein (dairy) free. 

Cheese and Cracker “Sandwiches”

If you’re not restricted from enjoying cheese, have pre-cut wedges on hand in the fridge.  You can even put together little resealable containers of cracker and cheese sandwiches for quick snatching from the fridge. Again, independence for the younger crowd during the summer when kids are home all the time, makes more independence for moms, dads, and sitters. Safe and smart!

Healthy Chip Snacks

When “chips” just become the necessary thing to have (and sometimes nothing else will satisfy like chips), try these healthy choices: Way Better Snacks Tortilla Chips, Late July Organic Multi-Grain Chips, and Enjoy Life Plentils Crunchy Lentil Chips. All of these offer nutrition when nothing but a “chip” will do! Be sure to check out my chip reviews of these products.

Pretzels and Cookies – these may not be at the top of my “healthy foods” list, but they work just fine for the occasional snack item.

Glutino Pretzels travel well, have a delicious buttery flavor without any greasiness to them. My Nutt'in Better Nut Butter Cookies can satisfy the sweet tooth while providing protein and fiber.

Do YOU have some other great ideas for healthy grab-n-go snacks? Be sure to share with us in the comments section below!  

Safe food is a journey … Thrive!™