Running behind schedule with nothing tasty and easy to grab in the fridge is a recipe for disaster. Are you choosing to save time or to eat something satisfying? Well, who says you have to pick one? Whether you are racing out the door or packing up a cooler to take with you, having pre-prepared snacks is a quick and convenient way to save time and money without losing out on nutritious foods. Buying pre-made snacks at the store can be expensive and less nutritious, and eating the same thing over and over can become boring. Choosing your own fresh ingredients is what gives these homemade snacks variety, and allows you to have fun with your food!

Why is this important?
When our schedules get busy, our food choices sometimes take a backseat. Often, meals end up skipped when there is no time to prepare food. Without proper nutrition, we can become tired, irritable, and low on energy, which makes getting through the day difficult. Having simple ready to go snacks stocked in your fridge or pantry is an important step of making sure you will have plenty of enough energy for the day. You can focus on checking items off your to-do list without worrying about whether you have time to eat.These effortless snacks will help keep your focus and energy no matter how busy the day gets.

Healthy business lunch at workplace. Vegetables and fried chicken lunch box on working desk with laptop and glasses.

1. Homemade Lunchable
Homemade lunchables are a convenient way to include all your favorite snacks without missing out on nutrition. When you are trying to figure out what to include in your homemade snack pack, a good guide to start with is choosing a fruit and/or vegetable, a grain, and a protein. There are so many delicious combinations to choose from, and the best part, it’s all up to you! Having these lunchables prepped and ready for on the go gives you one less thing to worry about.

Fruits and vegetables:
– Berries
– Grapes
– Orange slices
– Apple slices
– Baby carrots
– Cucumber slices
– Bell peppers

Grains:
– Whole grain crackers
– Muffins
– Popcorn
– Pita chips
– Tortilla chips

Protein:
– Hard boiled eggs
– Deli meat
– Cheese slices
– Yogurt
– Cottage cheese
– Nuts

2. Build Your Own Trailmix
Trail mix is a great idea for a snack on the go that can be customized to your liking, and it is easily stored in your pantry. Trail mix typically consists of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, but other ingredients can be found in trail mix such as chocolate, granola, pretzels, or popcorn. To begin making your own trail mix, start with your favorite grain, dried fruit, and protein. If you want more flavor, think about adding seasonings such as cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa. Check out our guide for Build Your Own Trail mix to get some ideas!

3. Portion Meals from Larger Recipes
Preparing a snack or lunch everyday takes time from our already busy schedules. By preparing our favorite meals in larger quantities, we can portion out servings to grab on the go! Having meals ready to go means less last minute decisions and more control over your food choices. Pick your favorite meal and make enough to prepare 3-5 servings. To give variety to your meals, leave off any dressings or dipping sauces until you are ready to eat. This gives you the flexibility to switch up the flavors while still keeping the same base foods. Chicken, tuna, or egg salads are a great example of foods that keep well in the fridge. Our Egg Salad Sandwich recipe can be served over a bed of greens, on a slice of whole-wheat bread, or eaten as is! Dips are another great option to meal prep in advance. Check out our Bean Dip, which pairs great with vegetables!

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Written with help from our summer intern, Jordan Barrett