While eating full meals and avoiding processed food is always the best option on a Whole30, these ten Whole30 snacks can save you in a pinch!
Can you have Whole30 snacks
Snacking on Whole30 is not typically recommended, as it tends to fall in the "mindless eating" category.
However, having Whole30 snacks on hand can, quite honestly, be the thing that makes or breaks your Whole30.
Let's be real - life happens. Whether it's your kids baseball game going into extra innings with the concession stand that only serves junk food, or your car broken down on the side of the road with two hour wait for a tow, some things are out of our control.
And I'd much rather you have one of these Whole30 snacks on hand when life happens rather than sending your Whole30 down the tubes, amiright?
So, that said, let's look at some ingredient compliant and easily transported Whole30 snacks!
Some easy Whole30 snacks
These days, we're all busy.
I get it. I'm a mom, and I run two businesses. I manage to work in some meal prep and ingredient prep each week, but I also need quick things on hand to grab and go when I'm running from one thing to the next.
And if you're reading this post, you likely need the same!
Below are some of my favorite go-to's to make sure I always have healthy Whole30 snacks on hand.
Whole30 snacks: Epic Bars
Epic started out with just their bars, but now they've moved on to pork rinds, lard, and a whole host of other options. As far as portable Whole30 snacks, go, though, these are awesome.
Pro tip: they can be a little greasy, so keep it in the wrapper as you eat it! (*Note: Bison Bacon Cranberry contain brown sugar and are not W30 compliant. Read your ingredients!)
Whole30 snacks: Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are just fancy hardboiled eggs. If you don't feel like scooping yolks, whipping the filling, and repiping them into the eggs - just eat them hard-boiled.
I peel them ahead of time and bring them with me in a tupperware.
Whole30 snacks: Lara Bars
Some argue that Lara Bars are just sugar, since they are made of dates, and therefore you shouldn't eat them on Whole30. I get where that line of thinking comes from. However, when we go back to an emergency situation, I would argue that these are a better option than a non Whole30 snack.
Now, keep in mind there are lots and lots of flavors of Lara Bars, and not all are created equal. Some flavors are Whole30 "approved" and some are not.
Make sure you're getting the Whole30 compliant ones - here's a great guide if you're not sure.
Whole30 snacks: Cranberry Pistachio Figgy Pops
Watch out for these-they are incredibly addictive. Depending on your own personal tastebuds, these could be considered a "trigger food."
I try to take out my serving and then close the bag, so I don't eat the whole thing!
(Note: There are other flavors, but the Cranberry Pistachio are the only W30 compliant ones. Other flavors have added sweeteners and other non-compliant ingredients.)
Whole30 snacks: Rx Bars
Again, make sure you're not using these to quiet the sugar demon. They are also based in dates, but offer a lot more protein by including egg whites in their recipe.
Because of this, they have a bit more substance than a Lara Bar - which will keep you fuller for longer.
Whole30 snacks: Chomps Grass-Fed Meat Sticks
An all grass-fed meat stick with no added fillers or junk. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, check there for these - they've had them at ours for $1.69 each, which is a great price!
If you can't find Chomps, Amazon also has Nick's Sticks, which are the same thing and W30 compliant.
Whole30 snacks: Roasted nuts
Cashews are my nut snack go to - did you know they're also a mood booster?
You could also go for any other nut, just make sure it's not roasted in non-compliant oils. And remember - peanuts aren't nuts!
(They're technically a legume, and fall in the "bean" category.)
Nuts are very high in fat, so a little goes a long way here. Just like the Figgy Pops, think about pulling out your serving and closing the bag.
We love to mix nuts and berries - hazelnuts and blueberries go quite well together!
Whole30 snacks: DIY "Lara" Bars
Lara bars are just dates and nuts, and whatever spices you want for flavoring. If you don't want to pay the price of convenience, you can buy some dates, put them in your food processor, and make them yourself.
Try my Nutty Espresso Bars or my Sweet and Spicy Bars for some ideas!
And, if you wanted to include some egg white powder for protein and follow in line with Rx Bars, you could totally do that.
Whole30 snacks: Dang Coconut Chips
These are just dried coconut. The bag is resealable, and can be kept in a purse or car for easy on the go access.
Just make sure you get the ones without any added sugar - even coconut sugar is off limits for Whole30.
Whole30 snacks: Dried fruit
Be careful, because this can be a really easy way to quiet your sugar demon. That being said, as long as there's no added sugar, it's a great staple to have on hand in case of emergency that won't go bad.
Going back to the fruit and nuts, a few dried apricots with a handful of cashews make the perfect sweet/salty combo.
These pairings also get you a bit of carbs and fat, which will keep you fuller longer when eaten together, as opposed to just one of the two alone.
Enjoyed this post? Be sure to also check out our Tips & Tricks for an Easy Whole30, our Whole30 Q&A and our Whole30 shopping lists: Aldi Whole30 Shopping List, Costco Whole30 Shopping List and Trader Joe's Whole30 Shopping List!
I may earn a small commission off purchases made through affiliate links in this post from Amazon and other sellers. This helps me continue to run the blog and keep providing you fresh content. Thank you for your support!
Sophia
Thank you for this! I have entered into a couple Whole 30s before thinking that I could make it with regular meal prep and no snacks with little thoughts like 'I'll be okay' or 'I'll eat when I get home.' But I FAILED both of those Whole 30s simply because I refused to see the obvious--that I need to snack every couple of hours. These suggestions are 100% on my grocery list for the grocery store this afternoon. Thank for having such well-rounded ones!
Jessica
Hi Sophia,
You are so welcome! The "Whole30 rules" say no snacking, but I am a firm believer in finding a way of eating that YOU can be successful with. For me, that has to include snacks! Intense hunger between meals does not work for me. I'm thinking positive thoughts for your Whole30, and I know you can be successful with it. Please keep me posted on how it goes!
Zoanna
I am in no way fond of pork rinds, but can you tell me how a pork rind is ok opposed to the crackers. I would loosely consider a pork rind a chip. Just curious
Jessica
Haha! It's not any different than a chip. It's processed and crunchy and salty, and I would absolutely consider it a chip too. I said the same about the crackers - if you're sticking to the "spirit" of the Whole30, then these things are not approved. However, for me, I don't necessarily mindlessly sit around and snack on pork rinds (or crackers, for that matter), so these aren't really a trigger for me - they're more just a vehicle for me to get salsa or dip into my mouth. It's really about knowing yourself and what are "trigger" foods for you!
Suzanne
Ty! Makes sense!
Kelsey
Hi jessica,
Why are the simple mills crackers not whole30? Thanks so much!
Jessica
Hi Kelsey! It's because they're a 're-creation' of a non-compliant item. In a true Whole30, there's no chips/crackers/etc except for those you make yourself (https://whole30.com/2017/03/chips-and-aminos/). That being said, you know your own triggers, and if chips and crackers are not one of them, then you're better off than some other people.
Obviously if you are "on the go" as this post suggests, and the choices are Simple Mills crackers or a bag of Doritos, the ingredients in Simple Mills would keep you technically compliant ingredient-wise! 🙂
Christina
Do you know if the Epic Pork Rinds are Whole30 approved?
Jessica
Yes! All except the Maple Bacon cracklins are Whole30 compliant!
Tim
Hi, my wife and I are 10 days in and we found some other staples that have saved us when we need a snack. Simple Mills Almond Flour Sea Salt Crackers, we found them at Costco and bought more on amazon. We dip those crackers in single serve gucamaole also at Costco and even Aldi has these. Thanks for your resource here, I didn't realize that RX Bar had a Chocolate Coffee. Were they any good?
Jessica
Hi Tim! Thanks for reaching out, and I'm so glad that the list has been helpful to you. I love the Chocolate Coffee Rx Bars, but they are hard to find! I've also had Simple Mills crackers, which while technically not Whole30 approved, are certainly delicious!
Suzanne Racer
Hi Jessica,
I'm on day 3 of whole30 and was wondering if you can explain further about how Simple Mills crackers aren't approved for whole30. Are you speaking in terms of the "spirit" of whole30 and minimizing processed food or is there a specific ingredient that is non-compliant that I'm missing? Thanks for any info-just trying to learn the process.
Suzanne
Jessica
Hi Suzanne! It’s because they’re a ‘re-creation’ of a non-compliant item. In a true Whole30, there’s no chips/crackers/etc except for those you make yourself (https://whole30.com/2017/03/chips-and-aminos/). That being said, you know your own triggers, and if chips and crackers are not one of them, then you’re better off than some other people.
Obviously if you are “on the go” as this post suggests, and the choices are Simple Mills crackers or a bag of Doritos, the ingredients in Simple Mills would keep you technically compliant ingredient-wise! 🙂
Julie
Just starting w30. I didn’t think chocolate was ok. But see the Lara bars with cocoa. Is there a difference? Thanks!
Jessica
Raw cocoa powder is not sweetened and is ok to use on Whole30!
Mary
Are Baken-ets pork rinds Whole 30 compliant?
Jessica
Hi Mary! Ingredient-wise, they are compliant - just pork skins and salt. However, the rules of W30 state that you're not supposed to eat any pre-processed chip or chip-like foods unless you make them yourself. What they're trying to get you to do is be conscientious of what and how you're eating, rather than mindlessly sticking your hand into a bag of salty crunchy goodness over and over until it's gone.
Personally, I don't have any mindless eating associations with chips. I've also done quite a few W30's and know my triggers, so I try to stay aware of those. I would eat them on a W30, but if you have a love of chips, or have never done a W30 before, I would steer clear.
They are 100% in my shade of paleo though! 🙂
Morgan
Sugar is not whole30 conpliant
Jessica
Hi Morgan,
No, it is not. None of the items in this list contain refined sugar, though, so you should be good to go!
Lynn
Thank you for these tips! We are just starting Whole30 and I'll be buying several of these options.
Jessica
Best of luck on your W30 journey, Lynn! The site has lots of other W30 resources including shopping lists and recipes, so come back soon! 🙂
Jenny
Since when is anything with nuts Whole30 compliant? I thought that was one of the major food items to avoid? Half this list are nut items...
Jessica
Hi Jenny! Nuts are compliant on Whole30. They are recommended to be limited in quantity, because they are high in fat content, but they are a great source of healthy fats on Whole30. The only "nut" you have to avoid is peanuts, because they are not actually a nut but a legume. Here's the official Whole30 shopping list for reference. Hope that helps! https://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-shopping-list.pdf
Dawn
The figgy pops are not Whole 30...maple syrup and oats etc.
Jessica
Hi Dawn! Thanks so much for the heads up. When I first found Figgy Pops, the Cranberry Pistachio flavor were the only ones I knew existed. Since then I've discovered the other flavors and realized that they are not compliant, as you pointed out. I've updated the link and the post to only include the Cranberry Pistachio flavor, which are W30 (which is the best one anyway, in my opinion!) 🙂