Travel days are almost always hectic, between juggling your luggage, your tickets, and your passport. You're excited but maybe a bit flustered, too. Sometimes the last thing you're thinking about is sustenance. While there are plenty of easy travel snacks available, a protein bar is one of your best, most satisfying options that can keep your energy up for the travels ahead. Here’s why portable protein bars are the perfect travel companion and what to look for in a great travel protein bar.
Table of Contents
- Why Protein Bars Are the Perfect Travel Companion
- What to Look for in a Great Travel Protein Bar
- BUILT Bars That Go the Distance
- How to Pack Protein Bars for Different Types of Travel
- Smart Travel Snacking Tips from BUILT
Why Protein Bars Are the Perfect Travel Companion
As fun as travel can be, the actual traveling part can be stressful. You already have enough to do and remember before you head out, so thinking about healthy snacks that are easy to travel with shouldn’t cause you any extra stress. Instead, stock up on some delicious protein bars that are lightweight, mess-free, and packed full of essential nutrients. As a portable snack, protein bars are ideal for a busy lifestyle, making them perfect for travel, work, or any time you're on the go.
These portable, high-protein snacks are easy to take with you on all kinds of transportation, whether you’re getting on a flight, catching a train, or heading out on a road trip. When you’re on the go, you don’t always have an opportunity to freshen up, so a snack that requires little cleanup and trash can be a lifesaver. With a protein bar, you can satisfy your hunger, maintain your energy, and leave little trace.
Having a healthy snack on hand is important on travel days, especially if you don’t know when you’re going to have your next full meal. Protein bars can be a healthy and tasty addition to a balanced diet. They contain satiating protein that helps to sustain your energy and keep you full, unlike many snacks that are low in protein and fiber. Protein is the macronutrient that your body needs to regulate hormones and hunger and give you lasting energy throughout the day. In addition to convenience, protein bars offer significant nutritional value, supporting your overall health even when your schedule is hectic or unpredictable.
Protein bars are conveniently lightweight and easy to pack. And if you’re heading to the airport, you don’t have to worry about your snacks being seized when you go through security because protein bars are TSA-approved.
What to Look for in a Great Travel Protein Bar
Warning: not all protein bars are created equal, and not all protein bars may be as nutritious as they claim. There are a few key things to look for when choosing your protein bar for traveling. Here is what to keep in mind as you compare bars before your next big trip:
- High protein content: Adequate protein intake is an important part of building and repairing muscle, sustaining energy levels, and keeping hunger at bay. Your protein bar should have at least 10 grams of protein, but even more is ideal if you want to crush your hunger and keep your energy up for the day ahead. There are also different kinds of protein available in bars and snacks, which can affect the amount of protein and the nutritional content. BUILT Bars are made with a high-quality whey protein concentrate, which contains essential amino acids that your body cannot make on its own. This is what makes it a complete protein.
- Balanced nutrition: A good protein bar should satisfy your hunger without derailing your health goals. Look for one that has healthy fats, a moderate amount of carbs, and low amounts of sugar. It's also important to choose bars made with quality ingredients: those that are minimally processed, recognizable, and free from unnecessary fillers.
- Avoid artificial additives and ingredients: Opt for protein bars that are free from artificial additives and ingredients. Instead, look for options that use natural flavors and clean ingredients, which support better digestion, health, and a more natural taste experience.
- Compact size: These snacks are usually small enough to fit inside your pocket or carry-on bag, which makes them especially convenient when you’re on the go. Even better, you don’t need any extra utensils to enjoy a healthy protein bar.
- No-melt formula: Many protein bars contain chocolate or have a chocolate coating that quickly melts in warm conditions, making for a messy situation. When you’re traveling, it’s best to have a protein bar that stays intact to keep you and your luggage as clean as possible. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to have a napkin handy while you’re traveling — just in case!
- Flavor variety: Grabbing a variety pack is a good idea when you’re traveling. It keeps your snacking interesting and is great for sharing if you’re in a group. Even if you already have a go-to favorite, it can’t hurt to try something different. You never know, you might discover a new craveable favorite.
BUILT Bars That Go the Distance
What sets BUILT Bars apart from the rest? For starters, our bars check off all the boxes on the list above: They are rich in protein, nutritionally balanced, compact, mess-free, and full of variety. They are also delicious, with a soft, chewy texture. BUILT Puffs are lightweight and almost marshmallow-like — a texture you probably wouldn’t expect from a protein bar, which can often be heavy and dense. This gives you a totally different kind of snacking experience.
On top of that, all of our bars are covered in a rich coating made from real chocolate. While this may sound indulgent, BUILT Bars are still high in protein and low in fat and sugar, making them a sensible choice for snacking or even as a dessert. They can satisfy your sweet tooth without the sugar crash. And whether you’re craving creamy peanut butter, salty caramel, or something rich and chocolatey, there is a flavor for you. Some of BUILT Bar fans’ favorite current flavors include Coconut, Salted Caramel, and Cookies ‘N Cream.
How to Pack Protein Bars for Different Types of Travel
While all BUILT Bars are portable protein bars easy for traveling, how you travel might affect how you pack them. If you’re traveling by plane, for example, keep your protein bar stash in your personal item. Having your snacks in a handbag or backpack that you can keep under the seat in front of you makes them easy to grab at any time throughout the flight without having to get up to open the overhead bin.
If you’re on a road trip, think about putting your protein bars and snacks somewhere where they’re easy to access when you make pit stops. Having them in the glove compartment or other accessible area for you or your passengers makes them easy to find and rip open the moment hunger hits.
If you're planning on camping or spending most of your time outdoors, it means you're likely going to be out in the sun (or maybe the rain). To avoid any big messes, keep your protein bars in a cool, dry place so that they don’t melt or crumble. Stick them in a cooler, if you’re traveling with one, or try to keep your protein bars and other snacks out of the sun as much as possible.
If you're traveling internationally, it can be a rewarding and eye-opening experience, but it can also mess with your body’s internal clock. Besides jet lag, your hunger cues might be off, too. Pair all of that with potentially different mealtimes, and you never know when hunger is going to strike. Bring a variety pack with you and keep a couple of protein bars handy for when you’re out sightseeing so that you can quickly fuel up and keep going without losing any valuable time.
Smart Travel Snacking Tips from BUILT
As you can see, protein bars are one of the best portable snacks to take with you on busy days since they are mess-free and full of energy-boosting nutrients. BUILT Bars are designed to handle your hunger cravings, no matter where you take them.
Even though they have a good dose of protein, you can pair your bar with other healthy snacks to create a balanced mini-meal. Try including a fruit, like an apple or a banana, or roasted unsalted nuts. Pairing these healthy snacks with your BUILT Bar can give you extra vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and possibly even more satiating protein.
Arriving at the airport with your arsenal of healthy travel snacks can help you in two ways. The first is that many of the snacks that you’ll find at the airport are processed foods that are typically high in things you don’t necessarily want went you're traveling, such as sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. They don’t pack in the nutrition that protein bars and other healthy snacks do. The second thing is that airport snacks are notoriously expensive! Bringing your own snacks saves you money that you can use on something more fun and exciting once you reach your destination.
Another tip is to remember that "snack fatigue" can be a real thing. Humans are designed to crave a little variety when it comes to the food that we eat. To keep things interesting, try a variety pack and bring a few different flavors with you as you travel. There are so many delicious BUILT Bar flavors to try, so you won’t get bored making smart snacking choices on the go.
One more pro traveling tip is to always have an extra snack in your bag, because you never know when it's going to come in handy. Even if you have one protein bar in your purse or backpack already, toss in an extra one just in case. Delays can happen, hunger may strike when you least expect it, and you may not know when your next real meal is going to be. When you're traveling, it's always best to be prepared — especially with a few tasty, healthy snacks close at hand.
BUILT Bars are Built to Go Wherever You Do
BUILT Bars are a delicious and nutrient-dense snack that are perfect for long travel days, when you need something satisfying to power you through the movement. In addition to being convenient, BUILT Bars provide nutrients that can support immune health and overall wellness, making them a smart choice for maintaining your health while on the go. With 17 grams of protein and low amounts of sugar, fat, and carbs per bar, it’s a snack that you can feel good about turning to, no matter where you are and where you’re headed.
Check out all the delicious flavors of BUILT Bars that you can bring with you on your next trip!
FAQs
Question: Are protein bars allowed through airport security?
Yes! One big bonus of choosing protein bars as a travel-friendly, nutritious snack is that they are TSA-approved. They are small, compact, and don’t contain any liquids, so you won’t have any trouble bringing your favorite bar through airport security.
Question: Do protein bars melt in warm climates?
BUILT Bars and Puffs are covered in a real chocolate coating, so they could get a bit soft or sticky in the heat, which also changes their texture. It's best to keep your high-protein bars in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to eat them, if possible.
Question: Can protein bars replace a full meal while traveling?
Protein bars can serve as an occasional meal replacement in a pinch, such as when you’re traveling and need something quick and easy. Pair your bar with something like fruit or nuts to get some extra nutrition and keep you satisfied until you have your next full meal.
Question: Why choose BUILT Bars for travel?
BUILT Bars are high-quality protein bars that not only taste great, but are packed with nutrition. They are high in protein and low in fat, sugar, and calories, which helps you to stay on track with your health goals while enjoying a tasty snack. Say hello to guilt-free indulgence! Not only that, but BUILT Bars are portable and easy to grab on the go, which makes them a great option when choosing a snack for your busy travel days.
