I never used to understand people when they said they “forgot to eat lunch.” Seriously? You mean you didn’t notice your stomach growling like a bear all day long, threatening to turn into a little raisin if you didn’t put something in it immediately? I just couldn’t relate.

Then I had kids. And began forgetting to eat not only lunch, but breakfast, dinner, snacks, etc. all the time.

It’s not that I don’t get hungry. I’m just usually so concerned with meeting my kids’ needs that I don’t notice my hunger until I have a moment of downtime. Usually this moment happens when I get into the car to go somewhere. I start driving and quickly realize I’m starving.

The solution, I’ve found, is to stash snacks in my purse, backpack, glove compartment, and stroller. When hunger strikes, I have something to tide me over until I get home and can make a proper meal.

Below are my current favorite portable snacks. Each of these is pretty nutritious and tastes great.

1. Justin’s Nut Butter Squeeze Packs. Perfect with an apple when I remember to grab one. Also fine when squeezed directly into mouth (a little at a time so you don’t choke – and don’t let kids do this).
2. Bitsy’s Brain Food Smart Cookies. These really taste like beets! But the beet-chocolate-orange combo just works.
3. Made in Nature Fusion Nut Blends. I don’t even know what’s all in this, but I do know it’s delicious enough to require packing it in little containers so you don’t eat the whole bag at once.
4. Trader Joe’s Dried Mango Slices. Sweet, chewy and just one ingredient: mango.
5. Nutiva O’Coconut Treats. Healthier than a macaroon but just as tasty, and very satisfying for their size.
6. Larabar in Coconut Chocolate Chip. I’m not a big bar person, but I never get tired of the chocolatey, coconutty, walnutty flavors in this one.

What are your own favorite portable snacks right now?