22 Healthy Portable Snacks for Weight Loss

Most dieters live busy lives. So it's important to pack healthy portable snacks so that you're not tempted to eat the wrong foods when you're out and about. Healthy snacks for the road will also help to keep your metabolism going strong and may prevent overeating.

There is no rigid rule about how often you should snack. But many experts agree that you'll curb hunger cravings if you eat a healthy snack every three to four hours. However, you should also make sure you eat the right number of calories at snack time. Portable snacks are easy to overeat, even when they are healthy.

If you are at home, it's fairly easy to eat a healthy snack every few hours. But when you are traveling or driving all day for work or family, you may not be able to find a diet-friendly bite when you are hungry. So if you want to meet your weight loss goals, you need to plan and pack healthy portable snacks.

You'll need portable snacks that are also easy to eat with one hand if you plan to nibble while you're on the road.

• Almonds. Get the unsalted variety and pre-pack your nuts into single-serving containers. That's just a small handful of nuts per serving. 
• Animal crackers. An entire package of animal crackers has just 180 calories.
• Fresh fruit. You can eat a banana or an apple while you're en route.
• Graham crackers. Add a dollop of peanut butter for added protein.
• Mini peeled carrots. This veggie is easy to eat when you're in a car.
• Snack bar. Get a diet-friendly bar with protein.

Snacks for work should be easy to carry in your briefcase and simple to store in your desk.

• Fresh berries or grapes. Blueberries, raspberries or grapes packed in a small container work well.
• Single fruit. Apples, oranges, bananas, or pears provide a sweet treat with essential fiber.
• Instant oatmeal. Keep a few packs of plain oatmeal in your desk drawer. Then add hot water at snack time.
• Powdered shake. Keep a shaker bottle with a high-protein, low-calorie drink mix for a quick treat.
• Single-serving microwave soup cups. Most brands don't need to be refrigerated so you can keep them in your desk. Just be sure to choose a diet-friendly soup to keep your diet on track.
• Peanut butter and whole grain crackers. Creamy peanut butter always satisfies!

Use these snack ideas if you have a refrigerator at work or school.

• Egg. Hard boil eggs ahead of time and keep a few on hand for a quick boost of protein. 
• 100-calorie Greek yogurt cups. These creamy treats are fruity but also provide nutrition when you need it.
• Single-serving low-fat chocolate milk. For those moments when you need a chocolate treat that won't ruin your diet.
• Sliced veggies and reduced-fat salad dressing. This savory snack satisfies your cravings when you need something crunchy. 
• String cheese. Most dieters love a cheesy snack in the middle of the day.

Throw these goodies into your handbag, backpack or tote to stay satisfied and keep your diet on track.

• High fiber, low-calorie cereal in a baggie. Remember that a single serving is usually just 1/2 cup.
• High-protein snack bar. Get one that is lowest in calories.
• Mixed nuts in a resealable container. Almonds are packed with nutrition
• Air popped popcorn in a baggie or plastic container. The fiber in popcorn will help you feel full.
• Whole grain crackers. Add cheese for extra flavor.