In my summer tote bag, you can always find Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, a trashy Sophie Kinsella novel, and pool snacks. There’s nothing I love more than getting my tan on while munching on homemade granola. Sadly, granola gets pretty old after eating it for seven days straight, so I searched for some other healthy pool snacks to help me refuel after a swim. Here’s what I’m throwing in my tote this summer.
1. Vegetable Chips
With all the crunch of your store-bought potato chips and none of the added baddies, these veggie chips are the ideal healthy pool snack. Make them out of kale, carrots, zucchini, or even eggplant.
2. Apple Chips
Veggies not your thing? Check out these apple chips instead. Pair them with a mini container of peanut butter for a magical experience.
3. Salt and Vinegar Chickpeas
These crunchy chickpeas are addictive. Make them the night before you hit the pool, and simply throw them in a plastic bag. They also make a healthy drunchie snack, so make sure to have leftovers if you’re going out post-pool party.
4. Trail Mix
You may not be hiking, but swimming can burn some serious calories. Refuel with a handful of nuts and dried fruit. Try out one of these seven different types of homemade trail mix.
5. Almond Butter Oat Energy Balls
It’s hard work to get than tan, so you might find your energy slumping in mid-afternoon. Beat the urge to sleep with one of these almond butter energy balls. The protein will kick-start your system so that you can keep swimming until dinner.
6. Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls
Any almond butter haters out there? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy some energy balls. If you’re a Reese’s fan, then you’ll love these peanut butter chocolate balls. They taste like dessert, but they’re good for you. Win-win.
7. Chickpea Cookie Dough Balls
If you dream of eating cookie batter while lying poolside, then these chickpea cookie dough balls are your answer. Just make sure to keep them in your bag as the chocolate chips will melt in direct sunshine.
8. Straight-Up Fruit
On those days when you’re in a rush to get to the water, throw some fruit into your bag for an easy healthy pool snack. Bananas and apples work best for this; berries will go mushy in the sun.
9. Hummus and Chips
Throw some hummus in a small container for a savory snack at the pool. This classic hummus recipe only calls for five ingredients, and it’s ready to eat in less than 10 minutes.
10. Guac and Chips
As a regular attendee of my university’s “Don’t Guac” contest, I have to say that I’m picky about my guacamole. Luckily, this article rounds up six types of killer guac, so you can pick and choose your favorite.
11. Salsa and Chips
Keep the chips and dip rolling with these four salsa recipes. You can keep things simple with a classic tomato salsa, or switch things up with a mango salsa. Both are still packed with nutritious fruits and veg.
12. Edamame Dip and Chips
If you still want chips by the pool, but protein is your life, then check out this edamame bean dip. It calls for less than five ingredients, and not a single one is bad for you.
13. SkinnyPop Popcorn
With no artificial ingredients, no dairy, and a ton of fiber, it’s hard to argue with SkinnyPop popcorn as a snack. The bags are already conveniently portion-sized, so you don’t have to worry about mindlessly eating as you lounge poolside.
14. Banana Oatmeal Muffins
These banana muffins are naturally sweetened with banana (duh) and honey, so you don’t have to worry about sneaky refined sugar hiding in your muffins. They also only use one bowl. No worrying about cleaning dishes either.
15. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
It may not be October, but that’s no reason not to enjoy some pumpkin muffins. The dough mostly consists of pumpkin puree, almond meal, and coconut flour. That myth that muffins are bad for you? Totally not true.
16. KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts and Sea Salt
Store-bought granola bars can be packed with hidden sugars, but this KIND bar only contains 5 grams/bar. Plus, it has the added benefits of 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, and chocolate (which is good for the soul).
17. Homemade Granola Bars
If store-bought granola bars aren’t your thing, then make your own with this DIY granola bar recipe. They’re easy to throw together, and most of the ingredients will already be in your cupboards.
Whether you’re escaping to a beach or blowing up a kiddie pool in your backyard, these healthy pool snacks will make your summer that much better. And don’t forget to pick up some food-inspired pool floats. Relaxing on an inflatable pizza while eating chocolate energy balls? Sounds ideal to me.