Gas Station Essentials

Hitting the road for a summer adventure? Gas stations might be your saving grace for quick refuels and snacks. But between stops, it's easy to grab a sugary snack on autopilot. Here's the thing: gas station food can be a hidden landmine of mystery ingredients. That "healthy trail mix" might be loaded with preservatives you can't even pronounce.

But fear not! This blog will be your guide to navigating the gas station like 7/11 and ExtraMile’s snack aisle with the power of informed choices. By understanding what really on those food labels, you can find hidden gems (or steer clear of the duds) and keep your summer road trip fueled with snacks that leave you feeling your best. Let's ditch the junk food mystery and find the best essentials at a gas station pit stop.

Make sure to check out our full shopping list of Gas Station Essentials in the Trash Panda App!

While it seems more convenient to grab a soda with added sugars or chips with preservatives, there’s always a better alternative. Here are some swaps to look for:

A lot of name brand almonds are packed with hydrogenated vegetable oils, which studies have linked to chronic inflammation and heart disease. Snak Club almonds offer a simple approach to snacking. Their all-natural, non-GMO options are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making them a more balanced and nutritious choice for on-the-go energy. They can be found at most 7/11’s!

Ditch the sugary soda crash! Health-Ade Kombucha offers a refreshing alternative to soda. While most soda packs a punch of sugar and artificial flavors, Kombucha boasts a natural fizz with live probiotics that can benefit gut health. Additionally, some Kombucha varieties are lower in sugar and contain antioxidants, making them a more balanced and potentially gut-friendly choice compared to soda.

When scouting the 7/11 isles for a protein pick me up, Muscle Milk might seem like a convenient post-workout option, but Koia Chocolate Banana Protein Drink offers a healthier edge. Koia packs in 18 grams of plant-based protein from sources like brown rice and pea protein, while Muscle Milk often relies on whey protein concentrate, which some people might avoid due to dairy sensitivities. Koia also shines with lower sugar content (around 6 grams) compared to Muscle Milk, and uses natural ingredients like banana and cocoa powder instead of artificial flavors and colors. This makes Koia a more natural and potentially more gut-friendly option for refueling your body on long trips!

Want a cold and refreshing treat while waiting for your gas to finish pumping? Look beyond the Nestles Push-Ups and grab a Talenti Sorbet instead. While Push-Pops are packed with sugar, artificial colors, and flavors, Talenti Sorbet is made with real fruit and often contains less sugar, providing a lighter and potentially more fruit-forward taste sensation. This can be a better choice if you're looking for a satisfying treat that skips the artificial ingredients and extra sugar crash.

Whether it be a long road trip, or just a quick refueling stop, the Trash Panda App is here to decode food labels and help you find your good! Start scanning for free: