Along with vacations and graduations, summer time is all about whimsical outdoor gatherings. And when your goal is to dance the day away, healthy festival snacks are super important. After all, you will need to eat to keep you going and feeling your best. By skipping out on the low-nutrient bites, you will be more likely to enjoy the most magical moments.
Munching on snacks that are high in sugar and salt is a fool-proof way to induce sluggish feelings. Skip the caffeine, if you can — sorry coffee lovers! Otherwise, there is a good chance you will have an inevitable energy crash. It can be a major bummer when the closing act is about to play, and you feel downright gross. Where’s the fun in that?
Instead, choose food high in protein, fiber, and vitamins. These nutrients will keep you feeling on top of your A-game, whether you're rocking out to your favorite band or dancing with your ladies. Music festivals are all about the good tunes and times; treating your body well will ensure that you soak in the entire experience.
Not sure what to pack? Here are 21 healthy energy-boosting snacks that are ideal for outdoor concerts. Have fun!
1. Nuts and nut butter
Energize yourself — minus the caffeine — with a generous helping of nuts or nut butter. Peanuts and almonds are especially excellent protein sources, making sure you're fueled up for the festivities. Keep it healthy by going for an unsalted version.
2. Honey Chai Roasted Almonds
Spice things up by making these honey chai roasted almonds by Joy the Baker. How's that for awesome snacking?
3. Bananas
Full of fiber and good-for-you nutrients, bananas will keep you full as the day rolls on. Plus, they're easy to bring around in your bag or car. No fridge or washing needed!
4. Root Vegetable Chips
Ditch the salty potato chips with a batch of homemade root veggie chips baked to perfection. They're perfect for when you need a light snack to hold you over. Visit The Messy Baker to learn how to make them.
5. Rosemary Almond Crackers
For another guilt-free crunchy snack, The Messy Baker's rosemary almond crackers will save the day. The rosemary adds a savory touch, while the almonds bring in protein and healthy fats.
6. Gluten-Free Nut Crackers
Are you a gluten-free gal? Try these homemade crackers by Green Kitchen Stories. These feature a healthy dose of nuts, too!
7. Hummus
Whether you bring along veggies or crackers, hummus beats store-bought dips full of saturated fat and salt. If you're bringing along a cooler, definitely consider packing hummus. It's filling, healthy, and doubles as another source of protein.
8. Sriracha Hummus
If you're looking for something with a little more flavor, check out Damn Delicious' Sriracha hummus concoction. I bet these would be amazing with those homemade crackers, too.
9. Banana Granola
Granola is one of those fool-proof tasty snacks that is easy to eat and make. Try dipping fruit in a nut butter and sprinkling on some granola for a simple, delicious snack. Personally, I've been eyeing Green Kitchen Stories' banana granola recipe.
10. Sarah B's Breakfast Cookie Bars
Healthy homemade bar recipes pack so much flavor and nutrients in one punch. Make sure you're ready to take on each new day of musical awesomeness with a nutritious breakfast bar. This recipe at Green Kitchen Stories is a wonderful example. Featuring a medley of oats, applesauce, and chia seeds, you'll be in a feel-good mood all day.
11. Homemade All-Natural Gatorade
Hydration is so (so) important during festival season. Help yourself feel your best with this DIY sports drink recipe by Katy She Cooks. While this isn't technically a snack, it's so essential that it might as well be considered one! Compared to store-bought Gatorade, this homemade version has significantly less sugar and food coloring.
12. Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are like food canvases. They double as an ideal base for nut butter or applesauce topped off with raisins or granola. You can also eat them plain for a super quick pick-me-up.
13. Blueberry Almond Meal Cookies
Looking for something with more flavor? Try these vegan and gluten-free blueberry almond meal cookies by Ari's Menu. They're sweet, nutritious, and definitely beat your average chocolate chip cookie.
14. Spinach Muffins
Muffins are another great snack to just grab, pack, and go. And since you'll need healthy grub to keep you in top dancing shape, opt for a spinach muffin or two from Green Kitchen Stories. Compared to store-bought pastries, these babies are gluten-free and super nutritious.
15. Chocolate Black Bean Power Cookies
If you're all about healthy baking, you know all about black beans' talents. This inexpensive food is ideal for creating a fudge-like consistency to baked goods. For example, Green Kitchen Stories used them in chocolate cookies. What's up, guilt-free snacking.
16. Vegetable Flat Breads
Looking for a vitamin-packed lunch? Try these vegetable flatbreads by Green Kitchen Stories. Eat them with hummus or avocado paired with your favorite vegetables for a nutritious meal.
17. Berries
Despite all of these healthy recipes, there's nothing quite like a simple handful of good ol' berries. While these will last longer in a cooler, you can get away with toting them around in your bag for a few hours.
18. Sesame Super Bars
Sweetened with super foods such as honey and goji berries, these babies will keep you going strong all day long. Green Kitchen Stories has the low-down.
19. Avocado
Like berries, avocados can last some time outside of a cooler. Take advantage of this by eating avocado with crackers or rice cakes. You can even mix it with tuna, or whip up some guacamole for a healthy pick-me-up. Simply pack a small container of spices and you're good to go.
20. Tuna
While nothing trumps fresh fish, canned tuna is a pretty good choice when you're on the road or camping it out. Mix it with avocado for a healthy version. This goes well with crackers, rice cakes, or those veggie flatbreads.
21. Strawberry and Avocado with Tuna Salad
If you're looking for a filling snack, mix that tuna with strawberry and avocado for a salad inspired by Foodie Crush. While this is more like a side dish, a salad like this will provide a serious dose of natural energy.
Images: Pixabay; Pixabay; Joy the Baker; Pexels; The Messy Baker; The Messy Baker; Green Kitchen Stories; Pixabay; Damn Delicious; Green Kitchen Stories; Green Kitchen Stories; Katy She Cooks; Pixabay; Ari's Menu; Green Kitchen Stories; Green Kitchen Stories; Pixabay; Green Kitchen Stories; Pixabay; MorgueFile; Foodie Crush
