What’s one of the most important things you need while on a road trip? Snacks, of course! If you’re trying to be more health-oriented, what types of snacks should you grab from Buc-ee’s after you top the car off with gas?
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
As a Registered Dietitian, I picked out my favorite Buc-ee’s snacks to help you make better choices while on the road (it can be really challenging!). While some of these snacks aren’t stellar superfoods or anything, they ARE better choices among a sea of snacks that offer even less nutritional benefit. Let’s dig in!
Shutterstock
I’m a big fan of beef jerky because it’s so high in filling protein. Buc-ee’s has a slew of flavors, so I’d recommend avoiding flavors like teriyaki or those with honey, because they often are high in added sugar. There is even a flavor called ‘Zero Sugar Bohemian Garlic’ which doesn’t contain any added sugar.
Shutterstock
Plenty of other flavors are low in added sugar or free of added sugar, so you should have lots of options for this one! Keep in mind jerky is higher in sodium, so be mindful of your portion sizes if you need to limit salt for any reason.
Nutrition stats for Garlic Peppered flavor (per serving): 70 calories, 1 gram of fat (0.5 grams saturated), 0 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of protein
Shutterstock
There are a few options for trail mix at Buc-ee’s, and several of them contain dried fruit and M&M’s. While delicious, those ingredients make the sugar content higher than I’d like as a dietitian. Enter the Deluxe Trail Mix!
I like this trail mix because it only contains nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, and Brazil nuts). It’s rich in unsaturated fats, contains no added sugar, and is a decent source of protein.
Nutrition stats (per serving): 180 calories, 17 grams of fat (2 grams saturated), 6 grams of carbohydrates (0 grams added sugar), 5 grams of protein
Shutterstock
These are pretty neat, and one of the best snack options in this lineup. They’re even suitable for keto dieters!
Nutrition stats (per egg): 50 calories, 3.5 grams of fat (1 gram saturated), 1 gram of carbohydrate, 5 grams of protein
Shutterstock
In a sea of candies, chocolate bars, and chocolate-covered nuts, sometimes you just need something sweet that is still relatively healthy. Enter Buc-ee’s Nutty Bites! With a couple of different options (e.g. pistachio-based and almond-based), these are slightly sweet without being super high in sugar. They also have plant-based protein with 5 grams per serving.
Nutrition stats (Pistachio), per serving: 150 calories 10 grams of fat (1 g saturated), 12 grams of carbs (4 g added sugar), 5 grams of protein
Shutterstock
Flavored peanuts are a good alternative to chips if you want a flavorful, crunchy snack. Peanuts are a good source of protein and fiber, making them a heart-healthy choice over less nutritious savory snacks like chips and pretzels. (Regular salted peanuts will have similar nutrition stats, BTW.)
Nutrition stats (Salt & Lime), per serving: 130 calories, 10 grams of fat (1 gram saturated), 4 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of protein
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
Another good salty snack alternative, these dried veggies include sweet potatoes, taro, purple sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and green beans. They’re coated in canola oil and lightly salted, so they’re not as high in sodium as chips.
Nutrition stats (per serving): 140 calories, 4 grams of fat (0 grams saturated), 24 grams of carbohydrates, <1 gram of protein
Shutterstock
Popcorn is a good source of fiber and is another good savory snack. While it’s not a super star nutrition-wise, it does satisfy that need for a savory, crunchy snack. (It was almost a tossup between this and Buc-ee’s wasabi peas, but I chose these instead since they don’t contain added food dyes or palm oil like the wasabi peas.)
Nutrition stats: 150 cal, 9 grams fat (1 gram saturated), 15 grams of carbs (3 grams fiber, 0 grams added sugar), 3 grams protein
Shutterstock
Here are those healthier Buc-ee’s snacks again:
#1: Beef Jerky
#2: Deluxe Trail Mix
#3: Spicy Pickled Eggs
#4: Nutty Bites
#5:Â Coated Peanuts (e.g. Salsa Verde, Chili Lime)
#6: Dried Veggies
#7: Top Pop Popcorn
Curious which one a dietitian would choose?
Shutterstock
I’d choose the Spicy Pickled Eggs or the Beef Jerky — I’m all about the protein, especially when I’m away from home and off my regular food routine.
Which one would you choose? Let me know in the comments!
Shutterstock
