10 Quick Snacks Found in Gas Stations

Some of the best home cooked meals can be found in your local gas station. This is a well kept secret by some to ensure when they go for lunch or dinner that there will be some for them. I am NOT promoting this store at all by any means. However, I am saying spend more wisely and think smarter. If you’re hungry, McDonald’s is NOT the only place open. And if you like food that is cheap, check out the deals at your local gas station convenience store. From Ice cold fountain drinks, to boiled peanuts, to hot dogs,coffee, sandwiches, and churros, you can save so much money just by taking a 1-3 minute drive down the road to a convenient store to catch a great deal for under $5 that will feed the entire family!

Check the photo below…see anything you would like to buy? Number one rule of convenience stores – don’t forget to pack a snack and you can avoid the pain of having to choose something. Of course, even Snack Girl isn’t perfect and was looking for a snack when she shot this photo.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 quick snacks found in gas stations. Some of these items are stomach fillers, while many others are not so healthy to eat. However, people still buy them because they are juicy, yummy, delicious and quick to eat.

1. Beef Jerkey

No food helps you work out your frustrations as well as beef jerkey. If you feel like you might get lost, slowed by the elements, or stuck in traffic, be sure to grab some before the most arduous leg of your journey. You’ll thank us as you work out your anger at the traffic gods by gnawing your way through some beef jerkey rather than punching the dashboard and hurting your hand.

2. Hot Dogs

We see that face you’re making. Don’t act you haven’t resorted to a gas station hot dog and kind of liked it. We’ve all been mesmerized by the red glow of those dogs that have clearly been simmering in that glass case for days. It’s never a good idea to buy one of these, but if you stare at them long enough, you can convince yourself to pull the trigger.

3. Trail Mixes

When you become an adult, you often get the idea in your head that the only way to start a party is to get your hands on some booze and weed. Wrong! The original way to start a party is to get your hands on some righteous party, trail, or Chex mix. Odds are you can’t stand at least one part of the mix: Nobody loves corn chips, tortilla chips, cheese curls, pretzels AND knock-off Doritos. Half the fun of party mix is digging through the bag and tossing your least favorite pieces out on to the road to poison the local wildlife as you dine on only your favorite portions of the mix.

4. Chocolate Bars

Obviously whomever invented this bullshit is a genius. I dated a girl once who ate Snickers bars for breakfast and when I asked her why, she told me that “Snickers really satisfies.” She was like the kind of girl who treated commercial slogans like hypotheses she’d eagerly test out in his own life and then declare correct or not.  Since that relationship I’ve been off that sauce, but when it all comes down to it, this is the definition of a candy bar, although it gets a bit boring now.

5. Salted Seeds

Most gas stations sell sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, also known aspepitas, which make for a high-fiber, nutritious snack when portions are kept in proportion.A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

6. Pre-Made Salads

I’m seeing more and more creativity in pre-made salads these days, way beyond the strips of ham and an anemic tomato slice thrown on top of some iceberg lettuce. I’ve even seen some that have separate compartments for the various toppings so everything remains fresher. Look for salads with mixed greens, not iceberg lettuce, which is very low in nutrients. Also, look for a real serving of protein, not just a token amount for flavoring.

7. Nuts

Nuts are one of the easiest things to grab at a convenience store, and are often the best choice. Nuts contain protein, fiber, and healthy fats, so they are satisfying as well as being tasty. Peanuts and almonds are the best choices, at about 3 to 4 grams of effective carbohydrate per ounce. Cashews have about 8 grams of effective carb per ounce.

8. Slushies

Slushies – Blue Raspberry, Cherry, White Cherry, Banana, and Cola! Maybe there’s not much of an argument for their convenience, but they deserve an honorable mention, nonetheless.

9. Frozen Dinners

The frozen foods aisle at the gas station can be a savior, especially at midnight when you are hungry. The only problem? A lot of frozen meals have hidden health horrors. Most frozen meals are high in sugar and sodium, contain tons of preservatives, and don’t have much to offer in terms of fruits, vegetables, or fiber. o what’s a healthy-eating, recipe-averse, busy-girl-on-the-go supposed to do? Choose the healthiest frozen meal option, of course. Because for every chemical-laden, fat-filled frozen meal, there is a comparable option with better ingredients and less fat.

10. Jamaican Patties

The best Jamaican patties in Toronto must have all the right elements. The pastry shell must be light and flaky, but with enough substance to keep it all inside. The filling should be tender and moist; well-seasoned but not obtrusively so. And the flavor (though it goes without saying) should be top-notch. Whether inhaled on its own or sandwiched between some fresh, sweet coco bread, really good patties satiate your cravings for pastry and meat (or veggies) all in one. Enough so to go after the forlorn flakes when you’re done.

What’s your favorite food at the gas station? Share your thoughts on Top 10 List.