9 Healthy Snacks That Will Make The Beach Better
Out of all of the stuff you need to pack to ensure a successful day at the beach, the supplies that will most influence the mood of your group are likely to be those of the edible variety. But effectively anticipating the snacking whims of your crew is often an impossible task, especially when you're locked in location for the day.
The trick to mastering the beach snack pack is using core ingredients that can be combined in multiple ways. Keep reading here for some easy ideas that will help you add some healthy variety to your beach snack menu while also avoiding the vague and dreaded request for "something else to eat."
Core Ingredients
- Nut butter
- Nuts (Almonds, peanuts, cashews)
- Apples and/or Grapes
- Bananas
- Cheese
- Dried Cranberries and/or Raisins
- Popcorn
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Chocolate Chips
By relying on just a few key foods to create multiple snack ideas, you benefit yourself in several ways. You'll save time and money and cooler space, all of which are desirable. You'll also generate less trash, since everyone will be pulling from the same source rather than opening one individual package serving after another. Finally, by creating snacks that are nutritionally balanced, you'll keep your crew energized and satiated for a longer period of time.
This list alone can be used to pack a bag full of healthy and tasty beach snacks. However, in addition to being independently delicious, the core ingredients above can be combined into easy pairings and then tweaked for individual taste. In this post, we've done the work of thinking through some of the combos for you and come up with the following nine healthy snacks that will make your beach trip better!
As far as healthy and filling snacks go, nut butter and apples set the standard. The sugars from the butter and fruit provide a quick energy boost, while the fats and fiber make the snack filling. Top these snacks with raisins or cranberries for a fun twist.
If you're looking to keep the sugar content down, or you're dealing with a nut allergy, then fruit and cheese may fit your family's snack preferences better than our first suggestion. Apples and grapes are generally the best fruit fit for this snack option.
Cheese and crackers are to beach snacks as sun and sand are to the beach itself! They just go together. Pair this combo with some fruit and this snack becomes a meal.
Forget hauling sandwiches to the beach! Grab a few sleeves of your favorite cracker, slap some nut butter between a couple of them, and voila! Lunch is served. Want to make this snack one to remember? Add some banana to the middle! Hey - this flavor combo worked for Elvis!
Trail mix is just basically a combination of salty and sweet tastes and crunchy and chewy textures. Create your own by mixing ingredients such as cranberries and chocolate chips with pretzels, nuts, and cheese. Add in wet ingredients such as apples or grapes last.
Make a sweet snack right on the beach by using the power of the sun! Lay some pretzels and chocolate chips on a flat surface and let the heat melt the chocolate. Add in bananas or cranberries for variety. Allow the treat to cool a bit in the shade before eating.
A Little Something Extra...
Are you looking for beach snacks that take our list of basic ingredients to the next level? If so, then these last snack suggestions are for you! Although the final three all require some preparation ahead of time as well as a couple of additional ingredients that aren't on the master list, they are totally worth the extra effort.
These chocolate-cranberry-popcorn balls are PERFECT for the beach. Easy to customize, prepare, and transport, these treats perfectly combine healthy nutrition and sweet tooth indulgence!
Swap the dates for raisins or prunes in this beach-worthy recipe and you'll only need to supplement the main ingredients with oatmeal - something that you're likely to have on hand for breakfast anyway!
Given that this popcorn treat is covered in powdered sugar, it falls out as the least "healthy" option on our list, but the popcorn base means this sweet snack is relatively filling, so you can plan smaller serving sizes.
At the end of the day, the best beach snacks are the ones that will enhance the enjoyment of your family's day on Topsail Island. If your crew prefers recipes that are a bit more involved, you may want to check out our post 10 Picnic Perfect Recipes You Can Eat On The Beach.
We hope this post helps you pack your best bag of beach snacks! Please SHARE it with your friends on social media!