I think one of the caveats of taking a road trip or going on a hiking excursion is that at some point, your stomach will begin to rumble, and you will need to refuel your energy. One of the biggest mistakes most folks make when planning for a road trip is actually lack of planning. Often, they forget to pack healthy hiking snacks and are left to the mercy of whatever’s the closest option at the nearest exit.

When you are out in nature, whether hiking, mountain climbing, sightseeing, bird watching, or just getting some Vitamin D, it is even more imperative that you come prepared. Hunting and gathering may have been critical to the survival of our ancestors, but I personally wouldn’t risk my health and wellness on my own wilderness survival skills.

While it may be easier to hit up your local grocery store with grab and go snacks, pre-packaged trail mix, for example—the traditional trail mix, albeit properly named, has no business getting an invite on your adventure.

The following are my go-to healthy hiking snacks —some will require more prep time than others, but they are all healthy, nutritious, and will help you keep your focus on the sights rather than on your rumbling belly.

7 Healthy Hiking Snacks For Your Next Adventure

1. Air-Fried Jerky

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef top-round, thinly sliced
• Spices of your choice/spice packet

Directions:

1. Coat sliced beef in spices and refrigerate for three to four hours.
2. Arrange sliced beef on wire racks in Air Fryer.
3. Set to dehydrate.
4. Flip over once and reset Air Fryer on dehydrate.
5. Enjoy!

Chef Note: The protein in meat is made up of essential amino acids the body can’t make on its own. But beef, chicken, and other meats also provide non-essential amino acids, some of which make up collagen. By eating these healthy hiking snacks, you can supply your body with additional amino acids that are needed to produce collagen.

Nutrition Information:
Yields 8 servings

• Calories: 188
• Fat: 9 g
• Carbs: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g

2. Oven Baked Jerky

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef top-round, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

Directions:

1. Whisk together all marinade ingredients and add to a sealable bag or container.
2. Add sliced beef to bag or container and refrigerate for three to four hours (or overnight).
3. Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
4. Arrange sliced beef in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for roughly three to four hours or until leather-like consistency.
6. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:
Yields 8 servings

• Calories: 230
• Fat: 9 g
• Carbs: 8 g
• Fiber: .5 g
• Protein: 27 g

3. Energy Bites

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 scoops Vanilla Cream Low Carb Protein Blend
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• 3 Tbsp natural honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 – 4 Tbsp liquid (almond milk, milk, water, etc.)

Directions:

1. Add oats, protein powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds to a large bowl and stir to combine.
2. Add in peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
3. Slowly add in liquid one tablespoon at a time and combine until it comes together in a ball that holds together.
4. Roll into balls using hands.
5. Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
6. Store in the fridge until ready to eat.

Chef Note: Optional add-ins can be chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, coconut, etc.

Chef Note: Pumpkin Spice Low Carb Protein Powder would taste AMAZING in this!

Nutrition Information:
Yields 12 servings

• Calories: 127
• Fat: 6 g
• Carbs: 10.5 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g

4. Healthy Trail Nuts

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 oz raw cashews
• 4 oz raw walnuts
• 4 oz raw pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
2. Mix cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, and olive oil in a large bowl.
3. Add nuts and massage in the spices well, then place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes.
5. Store in an airtight container once cooled.

Nutrition Information:
Yields 12 servings

• Calories: 188
• Fat: 5.6 g
• Carbs: 2 g
• Fiber: 1.4 g
• Protein: 4 g

5. Banana Chips

NOTE: DO NOT PURCHASE PRE-PACKAGED DRIED FRUIT. Read that again.

Ingredients:

• Bananas

Directions:

1. Slice bananas roughly ¼- to ½-inch thick.
2. Place on wire racks in Air Fryer.
3. Select dehydrate.
4. Enjoy!

Chef Note: I am all about portion control, so I measure everything out and place it in color-coded bags once cooled. Even though these little golden chips are a healthier option than traditional “chips” doesn’t mean you can eat them freely.

Nutrition Information:
Per banana

• Calories: 105
• Fat: .4 g
• Carbs: 27 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 1.3 g

6. BioTRUST Protein Brownies

Each BioTrust Protein Brownie packs 10 grams of high-quality protein and 6 grams of fiber with only 200 calories and 9 grams of net carbs—satisfying your sweet tooth AND appetite WITHOUT the guilt, junk, or empty calories.

BioTrust Protein Brownie are great to throw in your backpack and can help you stick to your healthy diet by providing you with a convenient, healthy, and decadent alternative to typical high-calorie junk food, snacks, and other processed foods.

Nutrition Information:
Per Protein Brownie

• Calories: 200
• Fat: 9 g
• Carbs: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g

7. Carrots & Celery Sticks

Ingredients:

• Carrots
• Celery

This literally could not be any easier. Wash, dry, and slice veggies and place them into individual bags.

Chef Note: Again, I love to color code things, because it makes it fun, and you can identify what you are grabbing from your bag without having to rifle through everything.

Nutrition Information:
For two full carrots and two full celery stalks

• Calories: 61
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbs: 14 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 2 g

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