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I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet. When I travel, here are the 7 snacks I buy at airports.

1 February 2025 at 03:57
inside an airport hudson news store
As a dietitian, there are certain snacks I like to buy at the airport.

Mahmoud Suhail/Shutterstock

  • I'm a dietitian on theΒ Mediterranean diet, and I try to find healthy snacks even when I travel.
  • Nuts and popcorn are some of my absolute favorites, especially when I find brands I like.
  • When there's a Farmer's Fridge in the airport, I'll grab a pesto pasta bowl as a light meal.

As a dietitian who tries to stick to the Mediterranean diet, I've found some go-to airport snacks that make travel days a little more bearable.

These aren't my everyday eats, so they don't fit the Mediterranean diet to a T β€” especially considering this eating style tends to avoid processed foods. However, I think they're a better fit than the ubiquitous bags of potato chips and cookies.

Most airports, especially those across the US, tend to stock similar products at convenience-store-style spots like Hudson News. If you can't find the exact brand or product I recommend, though, I'm pretty confident there will be something similar.

Without further ado, here are my favorite airport snacks.

When I find a Farmer's Fridge, I get the pesto pasta.
hand holding up pesto pasta from farmer's fridge vending machine
There's a Farmer's Fridge in my airport, and I love it.

Lauren Manaker

Farmer's Fridge, a refrigerated vending machine that sells fresh food options, has expanded to nearly 20 US airports (alongside other locations) over the last decade or so. If I need something substantial, it's the first thing I'll look for.

I like that the meals taste fresh and ready to eat. My favorite is the pesto pasta bowl, which is made with quintessential Mediterranean ingredients, like veggies and olive oil.

It's hearty enough to be a light meal when I miss a traditional lunch or dinnertime

Cashews are a great snacking nut.
sahale snacks pomegranate vanilla cashews
I love Sahale Snacks flavored cashews.

Lauren Manaker

I always reach for nuts when I travel because they're a staple of the Mediterranean diet and a good source of plant-based protein.

Cashews are my favorite β€” I find them incredibly satisfying.

Sahale Snacks pomegranate-vanilla cashews, in particular, have been a game changer for me. The rich, nutty flavor pairs well with the tart pomegranate-flavored apple chunks and fragrant Madagascar vanilla.

They're my go-to indulgent snack that keeps me fueled and happy while I'm on the move.

Olipop is my soda of choice.
cans of olipop soda at the airport
I like Olipop's root-beer flavor.

Lauren Manaker

Olipop, a prebiotic soda with plant fiber, provides a refreshing, more gut-friendly alternative to traditional soft drinks.

I love how it satisfies my craving for a fizzy drink without a ton of added sugar, which isn't a huge part of the Mediterranean diet. A can keeps me energized and balanced without a crash during long travel days.

If you can't find Olipop, other brands like Culture Pop and Poppi make similar beverages.

Popcorn is a staple.
hand holding up bag of lesser evil popcorn
I like Lesser Evil's Himalayan Gold popcorn.

Lauren Manaker

Popcorn is a whole grain β€” one of the cornerstones of the Mediterranean diet β€” and I find it to be a very satisfying snack. Plus, it's a good source of fiber, which can help support digestion.

Lesser Evil's Himalayan Gold popcorn is dairy-free and made with butter-flavored coconut oil and Himalayan sea salt. It's the brand I reach for in airports when I want something crunchy.

I love snacking on olives.
container of black olives
Pearls has little cups of olives you can eat on the go.

Lauren Manaker

Olives are a delicious and convenient way to incorporate healthy fats into my day. Their rich, briny flavor is both satisfying and refreshing, making them an excellent choice for a quick bite on the go.

I particularly love it when I can find single-serve packs because they make it easy to manage portion sizes and keep everything fresh.

I've found Pearls olives to go at my airport and others, and I specifically like how the container is pre-drained. I don't necessarily want to mess with olive juice on a plane.

Undercover chocolate quinoa crisps satisfy my sweet tooth.
bag of undercover chocolate quinoa snacks
Undercover sells dark-chocolate-and-cherry quinoa crisps.

Lauren Manaker

Undercover quinoa crisps are one of my favorite treats when I'm at the airport. I love the brand's use of simple ingredients that help satisfy my sweet tooth without too much sugar.

The snack consists of crispy quinoa coated in rich chocolate and other flavorings. It provides a satisfying crunch and a dose of whole grains, protein, and fiber.

If Undercover isn't available at your airport, look for other quinoa-based clusters, bars, or crisps.

Harvest Snaps baked pea snacks are a sneaky way to get in veggies on the go.
bag of harvest snaps baked green peas
I like the wasabi-ranch Harvest Snaps.

Lauren Manaker

I often snag a bag of Harvest Snaps, especially when I'm traveling with my 9-year-old daughter. It's one of those snacks that works well for both of us.

They're made from green peas and offer a nice bit of fiber and protein, which keeps us full and fueled during long trips.

Since they're baked instead of fried, they feel like a lighter option compared to regular chips.

Even if you can't find this brand, you'll likely come across other fruit- or veggie-based chip alternatives. Just skim through the ingredient list to make sure there aren't too many additives.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Everything I order for my family at Dunkin' as a dietitian following the Mediterranean diet

1 January 2025 at 06:20
outside a dunkin donuts location
With so many options, it can be hard to know what the best things to order at Dunkin' are.

Helen89/Shutterstock

  • As a dietitian, I follow the Mediterranean diet, but that doesn't mean my family never eats out.
  • Dunkin' is an easy place to grab breakfast when we're in a rush.
  • I try to avoid overly sugary drinks, but I do order the occasional doughnut as a treat.

As a dietitian who tries to follow the Mediterranean diet, I eat a lot of veggies, beans, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

However, in a pinch, my family and I sometimes have to lean on fast food, especially when we're traveling.

When I visit Dunkin' with my 9-year-old daughter and my husband, I opt for protein-rich options and try to limit any added sugar and sodium.

Here's what I ordered for everyone on our last Dunkin' run.

A hot latte gives me a kick of caffeine.
small hot latte from dunkin
I try to avoid overly sugary coffee drinks.

Lauren Manaker

It's tempting to go for a flavored coffee at Dunkin', but some of them have more sugar than a doughnut.

For example, a small Dunkin' hot coffee with caramel-swirl flavoring has 26 grams of added sugar, while a vanilla sprinkle doughnut only has 16 grams.

Instead, I skip the added sweeteners. Since some dairy is permitted on the Mediterranean diet, a classic latte made with 2% milk gives me the caffeine boost I need without a sugar rush.

Plus, dairy milk adds some protein and nutrients (like calcium).

I'm a fan of the omelet bites.
omelet bites from dunkin
Dunkin' shapes its egg bites like little doughnuts.

Lauren Manaker

Although they're processed β€” aka not very Mediterranean-diet friendly β€” I love Dunkin's omelet bites for a protein-packed breakfast.

Two of the egg white and veggie bites contain a whopping 13 grams of protein, which keeps me full. As a bonus, they help me get a small start on my daily veggie goals.

My husband's beverage of choice is iced green tea.
large iced green tea at dunkin
He tends to get a larger size of green tea.

Lauren Manaker

My husband, who has elevated blood pressure, enjoys an unsweetened green iced tea.

Some research suggests that green tea may help lower blood pressure, particularly in individuals with hypertension. The catechins and other bioactive compounds are associated with helping relax blood vessels, promote healthy blood flow, and reduce the strain on the cardiovascular system.

The iced, unsweetened version at Dunkin' has no sugar, and there's little to it in terms of calories and sodium, so he tends to get a larger size.

Dunkin's avocado toast is also a good pick for my husband.
avocado toast from dunkin
Avocados are a good source of potassium.

Lauren Manaker

Avocado toast is my husband's top food pick at Dunkin', which is convenient for his health needs and our diet.

Avocados are a good source of potassium, a mineral that's also been found to help lower blood pressure. Dunkin's avocado toast contains 371 milligrams of potassium, which is over 10% of the daily recommended intake for men.

Pairing avocado with whole-grain toast provides him with a satisfying on-the-go option that has heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, 6 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

Orange juice is my daughter's drink of choice.
hand holding a bottle of simply orange juice
The orange juice at my Dunkin' doesn't have added sugar, but it does have natural sugar.

Lauren Manaker

Although my daughter doesn't follow any kind of strict diet, I often feed her along the principles of the Mediterranean diet since that's how my husband and I eat.

Even though the juice contains quite a bit of natural sugar from the fruit, I'm OK with her drinking a serving of orange juice (which I portion out from the slightly larger Simply Orange bottle sold at my Dunkin').

It provides her with nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants. Plus, it helps her get closer to her fruit quota for the day.

She likes the wake-up wrap.
wake up wrap from dunkin
My daughter gets Dunkin's wake-up wrap with just egg and cheese.

Lauren Manaker

It's not very Mediterranean-diet friendly, but my daughter likes the egg-and-cheese wake-up wrap at Dunkin'.

The serving is relatively tiny, and there isn't a whole grain or veggie in sight, but I'm happy that the 7 grams of protein help keep her satisfied when we're in a pinch.

Plus, the eggs add some vital nutrients, like choline, which is essential to supporting brain health.

I firmly believe an occasional treat can fit into a balanced diet.
sprinkle doughnut from dunkin
We shared a doughnut as a treat.

Lauren Manaker

Although the Mediterranean diet doesn't allow for a lot of processed foods or added sugars, an occasional treat isn't going to completely throw us off.

Dunkin' is known for its doughnuts, so we usually let our daughter pick the variety and split one between the three of us.

I think it's OK to sometimes eat food purely for the pleasure it provides. By sharing, we reduce the risk of overindulging without feeling deprived.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet who loves Costco. Here are 10 of the best things I bought there this year.

5 December 2024 at 10:28
boxes of pomegranates at costco
It's finally pomegranate season, and Costco has a great deal on the fruit.

Lauren Manaker

  • I'm a dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet, and I shop for pantry staples at Costco.
  • Costco is my go-to spot for pistachios, salad kits, riced cauliflower, and olive oil.
  • I also really enjoyed some of its seasonal products this year, like churro-flavored ground coffee.

As a dietitian, I'm dedicated to the Mediterranean diet β€” a way of eating that highlights wholesome grains, fats, proteins, and produce and avoids processed foods and refined sugars.

Costco is home to bulk bargains and oversized shopping carts that nearly require a license to navigate, but it also happens to be filled with Mediterranean-friendly treasures.

Here are my favorite grocery finds of 2024.

I don't drink much soda, but I love Olipop

Strawberry-vanilla Olipop
Olipop is a prebiotic drink with less sugar than most traditional sodas.

Veronica Thatcher

Soda isn't a staple on the Mediterranean diet, but I enjoy it occasionally.

Olipop prebiotic soda allows me to indulge while packing up to 9 grams of fiber per can. It also has far less sugar than regular sodas.

Costco sells single-flavor bulk packs, but I like to snag the 24-can variety pack when it's available.

Pom Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice is a fun winter treat

hand holding a bottle of pom pomegranate juice at costco
I like making pomegranate mocktails.

Lauren Manaker

When the weather gets cooler, I love having pomegranate juice on hand for festive holiday mocktails (the natural red hue elevates any concoction beautifully).

Plus, Pom Wonderful just uses whole-pressed pomegranates β€” no added sugars or fillers.

The organic Mediterranean-crunch salad kit from Taylor Farms is a staple

chopped salad kits in the fridge at costco
It's nice to have a salad kit in the fridge for quick lunches or dinners.

Lauren Manaker

On busy weeknights, salad kits are a go-to for easy meal prep.

This Mediterranean-crunch kit from Taylor Farms is packed with a variety of veggies and feta cheese. I like to add some pistachios or cooked fish for extra protein.

I still keep an eye out for my favorite seasonal flavor of Copper Cow Coffee

At the beginning of the year, my local Costco had Copper Cow Coffee's churro flavor, and I still keep an eye out for if it'll return to shelves.

The Vietnamese coffee is made with a blend of robusta and arabica coffee beans and fresh ground cinnamon for a warming cup with a touch of spice.

I still snag regular-sized bags of the flavor at other stores, but the 2-pound bags at Costco were a convenient find. I hope to see them again in 2025.

I buy Purely Frozen organic riced cauliflower for my smoothies

Costcoo frozen organic riced cauliflower
The riced cauliflower blends smoothly.

Elizabeth Blasi

The huge bags of Purely Frozen organic riced cauliflower at Costco are a good value for me.

I add some of it to all of my weekday smoothies to stay consistent with my veggie intake each morning.

Wonderful Pistachios are my go-to snack

crates of pistachios on shelves at costco
I like the salt-and-pepper flavor from Wonderful Pistachios.

Lauren Manaker

Plant-based proteins are a big component of the Mediterranean diet, and pistachios are a complete source β€” meaning they provide all of the essential amino acids.

Costco sells big bags of Wonderful Pistachios' salt-and-pepper-flavored nuts.

They're a no-brainer at snack time, or anytime I want to add some more nutrients to a meal.

I'm glad I came across the Savannah Bee Company honey trio

boxes of a honey trio kit at costco
The pack comes with acacia honey, raw honeycomb, and orange-blossom honey.

Lauren Manaker

Honey is a natural source of antioxidants, and it's delicious.

I came across the Savannah Bee Company three-pack at Costco, which offers acacia honey, raw honeycomb, and orange-blossom honey.

I like to mix and match flavors depending on the dish I'm preparing.

JohnnyPops organic sunrise pops were great in the summer

Dietitians need treats, too.

This summer, my local Costco sold JohnnyPops frozen fruit pops, which are made with simple ingredients (minimally processed) and taste really good.

Plus, since they're individually wrapped, they're great for portion control.

I'm definitely keeping my eye out for them next summer.

I'm a big fan of the Kirkland 100% Spanish extra-virgin olive oil

bottles of spanish olive oil at costco
Spanish olive oil has a nice flavor.

Lauren Manaker

I go through a lot of olive oil as it's a staple of the Mediterranean diet.

Although I don't have a favorite variety, per se, I'm partial to Spanish olive oil because of its fruity, nutty, and peppery notes.

The Kirkland Spanish olive oil is cold-extracted and comes in a dark bottle, which should help preserve its quality (and flavor) over time.

The Seeds of Change organic quinoa and brown rice pouches are lifesavers

boxes of quinoa and rice packs at Costco
The microwaveable pouches make it easy for me to serve whole grains.

Lauren Manaker

I like to keep Seeds of Change's organic quinoa and brown rice pouches on hand. They help me get a whole grain (another Mediterranean-diet staple) on the dinner table in 90 seconds.

Although I prefer making brown rice and quinoa the old-fashioned way, precooked grains make life a little easier on busy nights.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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