In a perfect world, you would be home for every meal, your fridge would be fully stocked at all times and you would meet your daily nutrient requirements with ease. However, if you are like the majority of people, you are always on-the-go and seek convenient, cost-effective and nutrient-dense foods and beverages to support your active lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for a pre- or post-workout snack or simply in need of a portable meal to get you from one activity to the next, it is important to be able to recognize high quality grab-and-go nutrition to meet all of your needs. Registered dietitian and sports nutrition expert Marie Spano offers these tips for identifying the best products and ingredients on store shelves to power your lifestyle, supplement your current routine and help you reach your health goals:  

1. When looking for a healthy grab-and-go snack or meal, pay close attention to the amount of protein and fiber. Ideally, your snack will have at least 20 grams of protein to curb hunger and at least 5 grams of fiber to provide steady energy. PowerBar Clean Whey Protein Bars provide ample protein and fiber for long-lasting energy. These bars also support the “clean label” trend with fewer ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors.

2. You can find convenient and nutrient-dense foods not only in the nutrition aisles, but also in the refrigerated or fresh produce sections. For example, you can ramp up your nutrient intake with low-fat string cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese. If you are seeking a fresh pre-made sandwich or salad for lunch, look for selections that contain a minimum of 25 grams of protein as well as vegetables or fruits.

3. Redefine your expectations. Protein drinks aren’t just for post-workout recovery. You can easily boost the nutrition content of your snack or meal by pairing it with a high-protein drink. An 8-ounce bottle of low-fat or skim milk works, or you can look for double the protein by choosing a protein beverage such as the PowerBar Clean Whey Protein Drink with 15 grams of protein and no sugar. Unlike traditional protein drinks, this is a light, refreshing beverage option.

4. When it comes to pre-workout snacking specifically, it’s best to listen to your body. You don’t need a snack unless you are hungry or have gone several hours since consuming your last meal. If this is the case, grab a higher carb snack to maximize your energy while working out. After your workout, reach for a high-protein snack or meal to build and repair muscle.  

5. Look for products with high-quality ingredients. For example, when choosing a protein-based snack, look for whey protein, milk protein, soy protein or pea protein. All are complete proteins, so you know they’re working hard for you. Some nutrition products even provide a blend of fast-acting whey protein to quickly strengthen muscles and milk protein to aid in long-lasting energy and satiety.

For more information on healthy on-the-go snacks, visit PowerBar.com.

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