6 Snacks to Pack in Your Gym Bag

Headed to the gym and not sure when you’ll have time for a full meal? Then you’ll need some nutritious, energy-boosting snacks to store in your gym bag.

Post-workout snacks are critical for reaching your fitness goals. You’ll need snacks that are easy to store in your gym bag, don’t create a mess and have enough nutrients to help you seize the rest of your day. 

Here, we’ve put together the top post-workout snacks that you can enjoy after you hit the gym. 

Is a Post-Workout Snack Necessary?

Exercise comes with many benefits. It can boost your body’s energy supply, increase your oxygen circulation and even help you sleep better. But any kind of physical activity also uses up energy and puts stress on your body. 

Whether you’re engaging in moderate or intense exercise, your body uses your stored-up glucose, also called glycogen. Glucose is your body’s main energy source and comes from the carbohydrates you eat.

Your body may not require the glucose your food provides straight away. If this is the case, your body will store it in your muscles and liver for later use. When you exercise, your body draws on this reserve of glucose for energy.

After exercising, it’s important to replenish your glucose stores, fight fatigue and help your muscles recover with the right foods. This is especially true if you workout out on a regular basis or have just completed an intense workout.

What’s a Good Post-Exercise Snack?

The Right Combo of Carbs, Protein and Fat

Let’s talk nutrition. After you work out, your body needs to replenish a mixture of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Carbs and fat will help refuel your energy, and protein assists your body in rebuilding your sore muscles.

For carbs, choose nutrient-dense foods that are unprocessed or minimally processed. These include beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. When selecting a protein source, meat, eggs, beans, nuts and quality protein powder are all good options.

With the right post-workout snacks, you’ll help your body reduce fatigue and build strength. Just remember that everyone’s body is different. Depending on your age, how intensely you exercise and your dietary needs, you may need to experiment with different foods to find a combination that works for you.

Go for Long-Lasting 

Do you plan to be at the gym for more than an hour? Then you’ll want a workout snack that’s nonperishable. Unless you have a fridge handy, bring snacks that won’t spoil when kept at room temperature. 

No Mess, No Fuss

Your gym bag likely contains a spare change of clothing and other items you need to keep tidy. The last thing you want is a snack that leaves crumbs or residue inside your gym bag. Go for snacks that aren’t too messy!

Easy to Store

From sneakers to your water bottle, your gym bag is already pretty full. For workout snacks, you’ll want items that are portable and compact. Select snacks that aren’t cumbersome and are easy to tuck into the pockets of your gym bag. 

Here are 6 terrific snacks to pack in your gym bag:

1. Lorissa’s Kitchen Beef Sticks

Need to pack your gym bag in a hurry or don’t have a lot of time to eat after working out? Then Lorissa’s Kitchen Beef Sticks are here to save the day.

These mouthwatering smoked meat sticks are lightweight, shelf-stable and simply packaged, making them the perfect post-workout snack on the go. You can carry them with you everywhere and eat them with no prep required.

Beyond convenience, beef sticks also deliver a powerful punch of nourishment. Each 1oz stick has six grams of protein. They’re made with 100% grass-fed beef that’s raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones.

Our beef sticks don’t contain preservatives, and they have no added nitrates or nitrites, except those naturally occurring in cultured celery extract, celery seed & sea salt. They’re also gluten-free and keto-friendly if you need a wholesome snack to suit your dietary needs.

When it comes to beef sticks, you have variety of styles and flavors to choose from:

• Original Beef Sticks: Simply seasoned with black pepper, garlic and onion, these sticks have a satisfying blend of savory and sweet flavors. 
• Jalapeno Beef Sticks: Made with jalapeño, garlic, and onion, these sticks will give you a zesty kickstart to the rest of your day after you work up a sweat.
• Original Mini Beef Sticks Snack Packs: Love smoked beef snacks but don’t want a whole stick at once? No problem. Our snack packs are easy to toss into your gym bag and open whenever you’re ready to fuel up.
• Original & Jalapeño Stick Variety Pack: Stock up on your favorite post-workout snack with our variety packs. Each pack has 20 beef sticks to keep you satisfied for weeks to come.

2. Granola

Many people enjoy granola with milk, a plant-based beverage or on top of yogurt, but it’s delicious all on its own as a post-workout snack. Granola is brimming with grains, nuts and dried fruit, helping you to get your fill of macronutrients after an intense training session.

Granola’s nonperishable and can be stored in easy-to-pack containers or sealed bags. You can eat it by the handful for some quick fuel or enjoy it as breakfast if you exercise in the mornings. 

3. Bananas and Peanut Butter

Bananas and peanut butter are a magical combination. The sweet taste of fruit makes the creamy taste of peanut butter oh-so satisfying after working up a sweat. Plus, you get a hearty dose of carbs, protein and fat with this post-workout snack.

Keep your banana and peanut butter in an airtight bag and store them near the top of your gym bag so they don’t get squished or leak. Or, make it even easier with individual peanut butter packets, which you can squeeze right onto your banana or directly into your mouth!

4. Energy Bars

From chewy and crunchy to fruity and chocolatey, energy bars come in all styles and flavors. They typically have a combination of protein and carbohydrates, as well as other nutrients like fiber and fat. They’re also compact, mess-free and nonperishable, ticking all the boxes of an ideal post-workout snack. 

Always read energy bar labels carefully to ensure you’re choosing bars with lots of protein and as little added sugar as possible.

5. PB&J Sandwich

Strapped for time? Need a quick and easy post-workout snack to tide you over till your next meal? Then make a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It takes less than two minutes to create and has a delightful combo of protein and carbs to help restore your energy. 

6. Chocolate Milk

If you’re new to the workout community, this one might seem strange, but it’s actually a staple among fitness-lovers everywhere. Chocolate milk contains protein and carbs, as well as nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium.

When you need to replenish your energy quickly and restore the nutrients you just sweated out, chocolate milk is fast-acting and easy to consume. Plus, it delivers that smile-inducing, nostalgic taste of childhood that your taste buds won’t be able to resist!

Crush Your Workout Goals With Wholesome, Protein-Rich Snacks

Whether you’re pumping iron or hiking the trails, make sure you fuel up properly. At Lorrissa’s Kitchen, we make a variety of delicious meat snacks to keep you satisfied and energized throughout the day.

Our meat sticks, strips and cuts are perfect when you’re short on time and need a wholesome snack. Find your favorites by shopping our products today.