Tips for Natural on-the-go Snacks

Muesli bars, chips, cheese sticks and other on-the-go snacks may be convenient, but they are typically unrecognisable from their original form,  full of sugar, preservatives, additives, colourings and are one of the greatest un-recyclable rubbish generators you can find. The global snaking industry is worth $375 billion and that's a pile of wrappers and preservatives.

Here's a few tips for setting up your own little go to snack pantry of choice, but pretty much every tip involves having the items readily available in your home in the first place. The great thing about many snacks is that the contents don't go off so you can get a wide variety and keep them for ages. And it only takes one shop to get them all.

NUTS & DRIED FRUIT

• Snack Containers: First, collect all those plastic containers and glass jars that you might otherwise have recycled. Don't toss them. You will need these to put your snacks in.
• Storage Containers: Get a bunch of repurposed one litre jars because you need to store options to service your moods and snack times.
• Shop: Go to any online or local grocer or even the supermarket nuts area and buy enough to fill your jars with almonds, cashews, macadamias, dried mango, dried apricots and all other nuts and fruits you love. 
• Choose: When you want some trail mix, just go along the line of your jars, choosing the items  you feel like eating today and popping them into your container of choice.

OTHER DRY FOOD SNACKS

• Muesli isn't just for breakfast. It's a great snack option - raw or roasted. Simply put some in a container in your bag. It's incredibly easy to make and you can tailor recipes to suit your own taste. Just google recipes! 
• Globally, chocolate is by far the most popular snack food so you are in good company with around 60% of the world's population. If you buy chocolate, make sure it's fair trade and buy it in bulk if you can manage yourself. (Maybe put it in the safe.) Then just chop it up and add to trail mix or set a chunk in your lunch box.

• Popcorn is easy to make and a great substitute for chips. Buy it from a grocer as kernels and you can also season and flavour it however you like when you cook it. 

WET SNACKS

• Yogurt is one of the big packaging offenders and one that is really easy to not only buy or make in bulk and simply put into smaller containers. Glass jars that have previously contained a liquid are good if you are recycling. Don't be put off by the fact it's a liquid. Just make sure your jar doesn't leak and obviously don't take a yogurt snack if it's going to be 12 hours before you eat it.

• Make your own dips out of beetroot, leftover veges from last night's dinner, goats cheese - anything that takes your fancy. Just make sure a portion goes into your lunch or travel container for later.

GO NATURE

• Reach for good old fruit - apples, oranges, mandarins all fit nicely into your bag or lunch box and won't spoil. (Fruit is the second most popular go to snack, just behind chocolate!)

• Vegetables are also a great go to snack. If you aren't a vege snacker, start with the ones you love and which are simple to cut up like carrots and beans.

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