Eating healthy can be a challenge, whether you are trying to get healthier, add more fruits and vegetables to your meals, or if you are simply trying to eat a more balanced diet - especially on the road. You may find one of the greatest roadblocks to improved nutrition is giving into snack cravings - and if so, you are not alone. A 2014 report by Nielsen found that global sales of snack foods have reached nearly $400 billion. However, if you love to snack, there are several ways to change what you eat that may have a more positive impact on your overall health, wherever you are - or are going - in the world.

 
1. Replace Ice Cream With Fruit Smoothies 

One snack food that you may find difficult to resist is ice cream. With all the different delicious flavors available, it can be hard to pass up when you crave something sweet during the summer, or keep seeing ice cream stands on your road trips. However, there is a healthier alternative that is packed with antioxidants and that lacks added sugar: a homemade fruit smoothie. These smoothies are so versatile that you can make them with almost any type of fruit, and if you use raspberries or blueberries, the antioxidants they contain may benefit your body in a number of ways. 

There are as many smoothie recipes as there are ice cream flavors, and some are so simple that they take only minutes to make. For example, if you have a cup of berries, a banana, a half a cup of skim milk, and a cup of vanilla or plain yogurt on hand, you can toss them all into a blender for a grab-and go smoothie that can help satisfy and keep you off the rocky road of ice cream overindulgence. Have a favorite fruit from your travels? Incorporate them into your smoothies! Make them to go, and keep them in a cooler bag for quick, healthy breakfasts or snacks on the road.

 
2. Give Chips the Boot With Crunchy Veggies 

Potato chips, flavored tortilla chips, and similar snacks are usually loaded with artificial flavors and carbs that can lead to poor health when you eat them daily - or even as road trip food. While their crunch can be highly satisfying, they may not be the best option if you are trying to lose weight or cut sodium from your diet, or keep your kids happy on road trips or in the airport.
 
If you crave the crunch when it comes to snacking, then try vegetables that will help satisfy it. Crisp, fresh bell peppers, thick carrot slices, snap peas, raw broccoli, and celery sticks can provide you with the texture and crunch you enjoy. You can pair any of these healthy foods with a low-sodium dip, such as hummus, or homemade guacamole, which contains avocado and has proven to be beneficial for lowering bad cholesterol. Use containers with sealable lids for ease of transportation. We love sealable bento boxes!

 
3. Create Your Own Sweet Treats 

You may find that it is easy to satisfy your craving for something sweet by tearing into the nearest bag of cookies or whatever is available in the airport or at gas stations. However, doing that too often may cause you to pack on the pounds. When you start to crave something sweet, take a moment to stop and consider what you are truly craving, and then put together a healthy snack of your own creation (pack these the night before, to reduce unhealthy purchases while hungry). For example, if you are craving something sweet and crunchy, put a slice of melon in a sealable bowl with a handful of pecans or almonds. If you want to bake up some fresh cookies the night before you leave, consider using Hampton Creek Just Cookie Dough, which is free of artificial ingredients and is low in sugar. These are perfect for on the road moments when you crave something sweet - and healthy. When you take the time to create your own snacks, you can cut out large amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients that may cause mood swings, stress, and an unhappy family.

4. Reach for Infused Water, Not Soda

When it comes to breaking away from sugary snacks, what you drink can be just as important as what you eat. Fruit juice, sports drinks, and all types of soda usually contain a great deal of sugar, and while they can be satisfying, they do not always contain the nutritional value that is necessary to maintain a healthy diet. Drinking water is always a healthier option, but if you find plain water too bland, you can kick it up a notch by creating your own infused drinks.
 
One of the greatest advantages of infused drinks is that you can add almost any flavor to water to suit your taste. Add berries, oranges, or even cucumbers to add flavor without adding sugar. Add chunked or sliced fruit to the water to a container with a lid and then allow it to sit for at least two hours before drinking. Make it the night before, leave room in the bottle, and freeze it for a combination ice pack (for those veggies) and refreshing drink while you're traveling.

 
Cutting processed snacks from your diet - and travels - is no easy feat. However, taking the time to make your own delicious, healthy snacks from just a few ingredients may go a long way in helping you be healthier, both at home and during your travels. The extra time you take now to prepare healthy food will be more than welcome when you're rooting around in a gas station for something edible, or during a late layover at an airport, when the food just looks old and tired (like you're feeling, I'm sure). Extra bonus if you have a picnic basket that looks like this, to pack for your road trip! 

What are your favorite tips for healthy snacking during travel?