If you are at the gas station, instead of going for the twinkies and ding dongs, pick a gas station snack that’s low calorie and highly nutritious.
Choose from their various assortments of fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meats, and protein bars.
Finding a low-calorie snack at a gas station might seem impossible but look closely for the foods that low in sugar and high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
The best gas station snacks are going to give you energy, help you to recover from a workout, and are going to be quick and easy to pick up and consume.
Go for these 10 low calorie food options next time you need a quick snack at the gas station.
Low Calorie Gas Station Snacks
1. Apples
The first snack you should try to locate when you find yourself at a gas station or convenience store is an apple.
Apples are packed full of fiber, vitamins C, K, A, E, B1, B2, and B6, potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals.
Apples are also great for weight loss, help lower your risk for certain diseases, and promote good gut bacteria.
1 medium sized apple is going to net you 95 calories.
2. Oranges
Next on my list of low-calorie gas station snacks is an orange.
Oranges are a good boost to your immune system, help fight cancer causing radicals, while protecting your cells from damage.
They are high in fiber and anti-inflammatory.
You will find a 45-calorie orange along with the rest of the fruit at the register.
3. Bananas
Another quick grab and go snack option at the local convenience store is a simple banana.
Being packed full of potassium, bananas are the perfect thing to eat for an energy boost and mood enhancer.
Bananas are also good for digestive health, weight loss, heart health, have antioxidants, and will only net you 105 calories per medium banana.
4. A Salad
One area of the gas station many people forget about is the refrigerated section.
You can often find sandwiches, salads, and drinks in a freshly prepared area of the convenience store.
Next time you are there, choose a highly nutritious salad.
This can make for a quick and healthy lunch.
Many have chicken, nuts, avocado, or boiled eggs.
A salad with cheese, tomato and carrots will run you 78 calories.
5. Almonds
A perfect low-calorie, high protein snack is the almond.
Almonds are loaded with fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E and antioxidants.
This low-calorie snack helps reduce hunger, is low in cholesterol and will benefit blood pressure levels.
1 ounce of almonds will run you 170 calories.
6. Greek Yogurt
More often than not you can find a quick and easy yogurt at the gas station.
This low-calorie snack will likely be found in the refrigerated section by the sandwiches and salads.
Try to skip the high sugar options and go for a healthy Greek yogurt.
Greek yogurt is going to provide your body with protein, calcium and B-12 while helping your guts with it’s probiotic properties.
A Greek yogurt is going to add 100 calories per 170-gram container to your day.
Healthy Greek yogurt brands include:
- Fage
- Chobani
- Wallaby Organic
- Maple Hill Creamery
- Stonyfield Organic
- Dannon
- Straus Valley Creamery Organic
- Voskos
- Green Mountain Creamery
7. String cheese
Great for kids, string cheese is a quick and easy option when you are in a rush.
It is probably not the healthiest thing you can eat but at least it’s better than most things at a gas station.
String cheese will net you 80 calories and 6 grams of protein per stick.
8. Protein Bars
If you are going to go for a processed bar, you might as well choose one with a lot of protein.
A great recovery food, protein bars are going replenish lost calories and electrolytes.
Typical protein bars will often range between 150 and 200 calories per bar.
9. Lean, Unsalted Jerky
Another way to get your protein fix is with a lean, unsalted piece of jerky.
These low-calorie snacks, although unhealthy, are going to only net you 82 calories per 20g piece.
Just make sure to grab the low sugar, unsalted version.
10. Boiled Eggs
Last on my list of low-calorie snacks at gas stations and convenience stores is a simple boiled egg.
You may find these in the refrigerated aisle, often paired with a salad or in a group.
Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet containing vitamin B12, B2, A, B5 and selenium.
They are loaded with choline, high quality protein, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
1 large, boiled egg is going to net you 78 calories.
Bonus: Low Calorie Candy
If you need to have a piece of candy, go for the low-calorie version.
Pick something like sugar-free gum, jellybeans, peppermint, or licorice.
There are also several hard candy options or even something like dried fruit or cranberries.
Other low-calorie snacks at gas stations include:
- Broccoli – 50 calories per 148 g
- Carrots – 25 calories for 1 medium
- Granola Bars – 132 calories per 28g
- Snap Peas – 40 calories per 3/4 cup
- Unsalted peanuts – 200 calories per 1/4 cup
- Pistachios – 145 calories per 1/4 cup
- Whole Wheat Bread – 109 calories for 1 large slice
- Popcorn – 106 calories per ounce
- Baked Chicken – 284 calories per medium breast
- Pretzels – 108 calories per ounce
Summary: Low Calorie Gas Station Snacks
When you need a snack that is quick and easy, it’s easy to go for an unhealthy bag of chips and soda. Make a smarter decision the next time you are at the gas station and go for a snack that’s low calorie, low sugar, and high in nutritional value. It is going to make you feel better, look better, and give you a boost of energy to make it through your day. You won’t get those unwanted insulin spikes, your mood will improve, and you’ll know you’ve made a smart and healthy food choice.
