Easy and Energizing Snacks For A Ski Day
It’s officially ski season, which means you’ll want to fuel up for a long day on the mountain without having to constantly break for overpriced snacks at the ski lodge. “When you're hitting the slopes, it's crucial to pack snacks that provide sustained energy and are easy to eat on the go,” says Celebrity Chef, Certified Nutritionist and Longevity Wellness Expert Serena Poon. These portable snacks are not only healthy and delicious, but they fit right in your jacket pocket and are perfect for popping on the chairlift—or while you’re waiting in those impossibly long lines just to catch a ride up. Just make sure you don't lose them if you wipe out!
DIY Trail Mix
“When on the slopes, you want snacks with staying power to fuel your adventure,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook. “A DIY trail mix with nuts, prunes, whole grain cereal, and a little bit of chocolate hits those cravings for sweet, salty, and crunchy while providing plant-based protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats, and antioxidants.”
Dehydrated & Dried Fruits
According to Poon, dehydrated fruits can make for a filling slopes snack that also provides all of the wonderful phytonutrients you’d find in fresh fruit. Michelle Dudash, RND, author of The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook and Clean Eating for Busy Families, also recommends dried fruit with no added sugar, like dried apricots and tart cherries and raisins. These in particular, “provide complex carbohydrates, including fiber, plus vitamins, minerals, and potassium, which is an electrolyte lost through perspiration. Skiing and snowboarding require energy and these snacks help replenish those energy stores in your muscles,” she says.
No-Bake Superfood Cookies
Cookies, but make ‘em super healthy, energizing and scrumptious for when hunger strikes on the slopes. Poon’s superfood cookies are made with lots of good-for-you ingredients, including gluten-free rolled oats, your nut butter of choice, a variety of seeds and nuts, shredded coconut and a few other simple ingredients commonly found in your pantry. “These gluten-free treats are mineral-rich, high in protein, full of fiber, packed with antioxidants and superfoods, completely vegan, and most importantly, delicious,” she says.
Fresh Fruits & Veggies
While certain fruits aren’t great for the slopes, apples and mandarin oranges are easy to take with you and not easily crushed. “Mandarin oranges are also durable, lightweight and an excellent source of vitamin C,” points out Poon. She loves hydrating and fiber-filled vegetables as well, such as raw carrots, celery, cucumbers, and colorful peppers. “These are great, mess-free snacks that you can nibble,” she adds.
Beef Jerky
“Besides being tasty, jerky is convenient, high in protein and easy to take anywhere, even up the mountain,” says Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, M.S., N.D., a board-certified naturopathic physician and nutrition expert. But she does recommend reading your labels when buying jerky. “It’s best to avoid nitrates, MSG, soy, gluten or added sugar,” Petrucci notes.
Frozen Prunes
Seriously, so good! “Prunes by themselves are amazing frozen, so a small baggie of prunes stuffed into your jacket pocket is even better on a cold day for a chewy, sweet bite,” says Harris-Pincus. “And research supports 5-6 per day helps support bone health.”
Bliss Balls
Also known as power balls or energy bites, these Bliss bites by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, contain a mix of nourishing ingredients like fiber-filled dried berries and protein-packed nut butter. “Simply blend together in a food processor and roll into balls.” She recommends storing them in the freezer and then pop a few into a small resealable bag before heading out for your winter activities. “By the time you need an energy boost, they’ll be slightly thawed and ready to enjoy!”
Dark Chocolate-Covered Nuts & Berries
For those who want a sweet skier's treat, stash a bag of dark chocolate-covered nuts in your pocket for a little pick-me-up. Some of Poon’s personal faves include dark chocolate-covered raw cashews, cacao-dusted activated almonds, and coffee/espresso-soaked almonds. She also likes dark chocolate-covered dried golden berries. Yum!
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