Healthy Snacks for Event Pros: Stay Fueled On the Go

There’s no quicker way to get off track than when hangriness rears its ugly head. We all know that in a job like ours, there’s never enough time in the day. In the whirlwind of back-to-back site visits and marathon event days, stopping for a nourishing meal can feel like a fairytale. But the fact remains that you can’t do your best work unless you’re feeling like your best self. Here are the Cohera team’s go-to on-the-go healthy snacks that keep our motors running!

Yeah, Breakfast IS That Important

It may seem trite, but we promise it’s true: a healthy breakfast makes all the difference. While an extra-large coffee and a bagel might feel like all you need to kickstart a busy day, it’s a recipe for a sugar crash. Set the stage for productivity with a high-protein breakfast like eggs, cottage cheese, and bacon alongside a vibrant mix of vegetables. One of the best brain-boosting breakfast foods that may surprise you: salmon. The Japanese have been starting their days with salmon for hundreds of years, and many swear by its ability to put you at the top of your game. Jam-packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, your body will thank you for choosing something a little fishy, whether it’s smoked on whole wheat toast, poached with eggs, or broiled on a bed of rice. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

Protein: Your Busy Day’s MVP

We made an all-call to our crew for this article, and one thing stood out amongst our hospitality heroes: protein, protein, and more protein. Protein-packed snacks keep you fuller longer and help prevent your blood sugar from dipping during the day. To practice a bit of self-care when you’re at your busiest, keep a few of these yummy favorites on hand:

• Bars: Perfect Bar, Barebells, RXBars, Luna LemonZest Bars, Bobo’s Bars, Yes Bar, That’s it. Fruit bars, IQ Bar, Pure Protein Caramel Churro Bars
• Bites: Made Good Granola Minis, Bada Beans, Power Up Trail Mix, Catalina Crunch High Fiber High Protein Snack Mix, Imperial Nuts trail mix from Dollar Tree, beef jerky, nuts, homemade trail mix with nuts and dark chocolate pieces
• Meat Sticks: Chomps, Country Archer Mini Beef Jerky Sticks, Snack Mates Chicken & Maple Sticks
• From the Fridge: Hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, single-serve cottage cheese (try topping with everything bagel seasoning for a savory treat!) 

Protein’s Favorite Side-Kicks

It may seem like we’ve done a little sugar and carb bashing in this article, but when you need a little boost, there’s nothing wrong with turning to something sweet. In fact, pairing fruits with protein is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds. Since a little crunch and vitamin boost never hurt, we’ve also thrown a few of our favorite veggies into the mix!

• Apples or bananas with peanut butter
• Clementines with individual bags of pistachios
• Baby carrots or cucumber sticks with hummus
• Roasted or crunchy edamame or chickpeas (veggie-based and protein-packed!)

Fast Food That Does You Good

When you’re loading in a venue at 3 AM before an event, there aren’t a lot of healthy choices available. If you need to make a fast food run, try to find options high in protein and nutrients and as low in fat as possible. Here are some of our healthy(ish) fast-food hacks:

• Starbucks Egg White Bites
• Chick-fil-A Kale Side Salad and Grilled Chicken Nuggets
• Chipotle Burrito Bowl with chicken, black beans, brown rice, and two servings of your favorite veggies (if you must top til’ you drop, stick to a sprinkle of cheese and one spoonful of guac or sour cream)
• Panera Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains
• Taco Bell Veggie Bowl (skip the cheese and sour cream and swap out the rice for extra lettuce!)
• Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Dunkin’ Wake-Up Wrap (again, skip the cheese and swap the bacon for turkey sausage!)

You Are What You Drink

Not to be outdone by the munchies, hydration is also crucial for busy hospitality professionals. Here are a few tips on our favorite sips:

• Hydration or green powder sticks for water bottles
• Protein Powder
• Noka Smoothie Pouch
• Bone Broth (because sips can be savory!)
• Humm Kombucha
• Good ol’ fashioned H2O

Sharing is Caring

Who doesn’t love someone who feeds them? We have yet to meet such a person. Bring a few extras while packing your healthy snack bag or cooler. Become the food fairy on-site, delivering yummy bites to everyone from your event team, vendors, security, clients, and bathroom attendants! You’ll be sure to spread some smiles while keeping everyone at their most productive.