14 Packaged Snacks Perfect For Long-Distance Runners

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If you're a long-distance runner, hiker, or any kind of endurance athlete for that matter, you know that tasty and filling snacks are very important.

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A good snack can help repair your muscles, keep you from crashing, and keep up your energy when you're in the middle of an especially long run or training session. It also helps that everything magically tastes a million times better after you've physically exerted yourself.

We researched some of the best snacks that are high in protein, healthy fats, or electrolytes to help you keep up your energy stores before, during, and after your workouts. Here are our favorite options:

1. This dark chocolate chip and peanut butter Perfect bar that's totally free of preservatives.

perfectfoods.myshopify.com

If you're a fan of nut butters and/or chocolate, then you'll need to exert some self-control when faced with a box of these bars. They're made with zero preservatives and emulsifiers, so they'll need to be refrigerated. Leave them out while you're on your workout, and they'll be perfectly soft and ready to be devoured as soon as you're back.

Get an eight-pack from Perfect Foods for $24. Or get an eight-pack and pack of 24 of select flavors on Amazon for $24 or $55.93.

2. These salted toffee pretzel Protein Crisp bars that taste like rice crispy snacks.

@maria_bunea / Via instagram.com

If you're lactose intolerant and most protein bars upset your stomach, Amazon reviewers agree this may be a good bar option. It's textured like a rice crispy bar, but made with less sugar, and way more protein (20 grams per bar, to be exact.) The Salted Toffee Pretzel flavor also has pretzel bites, is covered in almond bark, and could convincingly substitute a chocolate bar.

Promising review: "These taste absolutely incredible. I'd rather eat it than most candy bars. No joke, it's that tasty." —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $21.74.

3. These chewable energy cubes that are packed with caffeine.

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You can either chew on a few blocks before a long run, or carry them with you and pop them in your mouth mid-run. Each lil' block has 33 calories, and one entire pack contains as much caffeine as an ounce of espresso. And despite their plain packaging, they pretty much taste like candy!

Promising review: "These snacks are very easy to manage on the bike and at speed; just tear off one end and squeeze out one of the six pieces in the package. If you've not gotten to the last one yet, it's an easy matter to roll over one end of the package and shove it back in your jersey pocket. After the last cube you've got a small bit of wrapping which is easy to hold on to and dispose of (properly, dammit!) at the end of the ride." —Image Maker

Get a pack of 18 from Amazon for $30.22.

4. These Keto-Crave energy bars that are higher in fat and lower in carbs than most other snacks.

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The high fat content in these bars means they're great for satiating appetite, though it might also help that this bar has a soft dessert-like texture and is studded with chocolate chips and almonds.

Promising review: "Keto-Crave bar is the highlight of my day! It's sweet and soft, though you do have to keep it cool because of the coconut oil, and it has the right combination of salt, sweet, intermittent little crunch, and smooth. It always hits the spot." —Mrs Collins

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $39.97.

5. These 60% dark chocolate-covered macadamia nuts that are high in unsaturated, healthy fats.

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Endorphin-boosting dark chocolate and filling almonds are the ideal match for a snack meant to refuel both body and mind. Pack a handful in a Ziploc bag and you're good to go.

Get a one-pound bag from Nuts for $15.99.

6. These classic Gu energy gels that no marathon runner can do without.

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It's impossible to make a list of snacks for endurance athletes without including Gu gel. Specially formulated for ultra-marathoners, each pack is stuffed with electrolytes and carbohydrates that can be rapidly absorbed. Eat a Gu before a long training session, and then keep up your energy by squeezing another one in every 30-45 minutes of training.

Promising review: "These are my go-to energy gels when cycling. They taste good (as good as gels can), and give me a needed energy boost. Follow the directions of taking one before exercise, and then one every 45 minutes, and you will find yourself bonking less and maintaining a good level of energy." —fuel98rider

Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $31.32.

7. These Vermont Smoke & Cure mini meat sticks that are an easy way to work more protein into your diet.

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Is your life's purpose to sneak in as much protein into every food as possible? Then you probably need these meat sticks, which pack five grams of protein into each teeny serving and are great for on-the-go energy.

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $3.94.

8. Or these Salmon and Smoked Maple bars that are a good option for pescatarians.

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If you'd prefer fish over turkey, you could also grab one of these salmon bars. It'll support in muscle recovery and fill you up.

Promising review: "The bars are extraordinarily filling, low-calorie, they don't leave you with fishy breath (maybe peppery breath, though), and their convenient size means you can toss one in your briefcase or purse and have a snack later on." —Randall

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $25.36.

9. These chocolate sea salt RX bars made with ingredients you can actually pronounce.

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You can't deny the value of a bar that lists just six or eight ingredients. When you've worked hard, you can feel the impact of every ingredient you put into your body, and there's something so reassuring about chowing down a bar that contains zero added sugar or mysterious ingredients you can't pronounce.

Promising review: "This is definitely good for runners and endurance folks. My bodybuilding people would not approve of the carbs from the dates but I love the energy it gives me that lasts well until lunch." —Beth M.

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $22.69.

10. These peanut butter crunch Clif bars that are the perfect combination of crunchy, nutty, and smooth.

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Made with filling peanut butter, these bars feel satisfyingly satiating after even the longest bike rides. They also don't take up too much space in your jacket, so you can pack a few to-go.

Get six from Amazon for $5.49.

11. This Iconic chocolate truffle protein shake that will hydrate and energize you.

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You can't deny the satisfaction of a slightly sweet, super hydrating shake after a sweat-pumping workout. This one has less chemicals than your standard protein beverage and packs just 130 calories per serving.

Promising review: "I'm on a macro diet and am always on the lookout for high protein convenience foods and drinks that won't overdo it on the fats and carbs. This one beats out the competition on taste and macros. It is creamy and delicious and delivers 20 grams of protein!" —Kindle Customer

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $33.99.

12. This dark chocolate and coffee trail butter that's minimally processed and easy to pack into your hiking gear.

amazon.com

When you're on a physically demanding run or hike, the last thing you want to eat is a high-maintenance snack that will kick your digestion into overdrive. These smooth trail butters are both easy to consume and a delicious way to power your body with healthy fats.

Promising review: "The natural ingredients put it over the top in nutrition, slow burning energy, and a powerful taste that can't be beat. Perfect for the outdoor adventurer as well as the person who just needs a solid snack to make it through the work day." —Amazon Customer Elaine

Get a pack of six for $33.99.

13. This dessert-like Honey Stinger salted waffle that'll motivate you on all your workouts.

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Some power snacks get a bad rep for tasting plain, or having boring textures. That's not the case with these Honey Stingers, which are basically less sugary versions of Dutch stroopwaffels.

Promising review: "The Honey Stinger waffles don't get hard in the cold, and they taste like I'm eating 'real food' which as an any endurance athlete knows is a huge plus when you've been out on your bike all day and need to keep taking in your food. Lately I'm excited to go on rides just so I can eat some Stinger waffles." —Todd Shaver

Get a pack of 16 for $19.07.

14. These Sport Beans that are a solid alternative to Gu gel packs.

amazon.com

If you're looking for a snack that you can nibble on in bursts, then these nutritionally packed beans are probably your best choice. Unlike your usual jelly beans, these are filled with electrolytes to maintain fluid balance, plus Vitamin C to protect against oxidative damage.

Promising review: "The fact that the package is resealable is helpful and the small packaging makes them easy to carry. I can easily stuff a few packs into running short pockets without feeling like they're weighing me down or taking up too much space. I ate the beans on an 18-mile run today." —Sue

Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $34.65.

Some responses may have been edited for length or clarity.