I received product/compensation in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

December for us means we do a lot of traveling from one house to another. Traveling for my family of five means that we will undoubtedly be stopping at convenience stores for snacks and bathroom breaks.

When was the last time you stepped inside your local convenience store? Yes I am talking about that store that is attached to a gas station. Did you notice it is not just junk food? Sure there are still all the good candy and snack options you are used to but convenience stores sell everything from healthy options to freshly prepared meals as well!

Healthy Options

Yes who knew you could find healthy options at the convenience store! Items such as fresh fruits and vegetables can be found in refrigerated cases or up by the register. Nuts and dried fruits are perfect for grabbing and resealing. Did you know too that convenience stores sell approximately 50% of the country’s single-serve bottled water? Not a water drinker or crave something with substance? Dannon Oikos Nonfat Yogurt Drinks are drinkable yogurts that pack in 10g of protein without any added sugar, artificial sweeteners or fat! It is super easy to drink on the go, no spoon required!

Alternative Snacks

Looking for an energy pick-me-up and protein-rich items? You can find options such as PowerBar and ZonePerfect! My husband is a huge ‘bar’ fan and loves the convenience of grabbing a bar on the go. They give him the protein he craves and come in such fun flavors now!

For sweet lovers, there are ThinkThin Protein Cakes which feature 12 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar. Oh and they come in delicious cake flavors! Um, a red velvet ‘cake’ sounds good to me!

Merging Flavors

Sometimes you just can’t decide on what mood you are in. Want something spicy but sweet or maybe sweet or sour? Well now there are brands that are combining those flavors!

Skittles^® Sweet Heat features fruity flavors with a spicy kick including: Fiery Watermelon, Blazin’ Mango, Flamin’ Orange, Sizzlin’ Strawberry and Lemon Spark.

Snickers® Peanut Butter Crisper provides the perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy and crispy. The satisfaction of real peanut butter with the crunch of crisp, it comes in four squares that satisfy pretty much whatever you are craving.

Trolli® Twisted Sour Brite Crawlers are chewy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a burst of sour berry flavor for a totally unique texture and flavor experience. Flavors include blue raspberry, strawberry, and green apple.

Functional Beverages

Did you know convenience stores carry more than just water and soda? You can now quench your thirst while packing protein, vitamins or other nutrients! They even carry drinks for kids!

Celsius® is a fitness drink that accelerates metabolism, burns body fat, and provides healthy energy. The product is loaded with vitamins and good-for-you ingredients, such as Green Tea with EGCG, Guarana, Ginger, Calcium, B Vitamins and Vitamin C.

Pedialyte Powder Packets are formulated to help prevent dehydration from an illness, travel, heat exhaustion or even alcohol consumption. Adults and teens actually comprise 36% of Pedialyte consumption thanks to its benefits.

Vitamin Water Active Nutrient Enhanced Performance Drinks offer 100% RDA of vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to support energy metabolism and electrolytes from natural sources like coconut water and sea salt.  

Gourmet Snacks and Treats

Want something other than traditional chocolates and gummies? Convenience stores feature yummy treats sure to satisfy more indulgent cravings. Yes I know convenience store and gourmet don’t usually go together but they even surprised me!

Kinder Joy – available in January 2018 – is a two-in-one treat that’s sure to surprise and delight. Inside, you’ll find two compartments. In one, are two yummy crispy cocoa bites nestled in layers of sweet creams ready to be enjoyed with the spoon provided. In the other, a mystery toy is just waiting to be discovered.    

Pearson Ranch introduces exciting and fun Character Bags of savory Elk, Buffalo, Venison and Wild Boar Jerky.  Each resealable bag includes 2.1 ounces of bite-size pieces of jerky, which is made with premium quality lean meats and contain no gluten, nitrites or MSG.

SmashMallow is a sweet-tooth satisfying pick-me-up made with organic cane sugar and simple naturally sourced ingredients. It’s a guilt-free indulgence at around 80 calories and less than 1 gram of fat on average per serving.

Cold Brew Coffee

Not a fan of hot coffee or just a fan of this “hot” new trend?

Heyday Cold-Brew Coffee is crafted by soaking the coffee grounds from Fair Trade beans in cool water for several hours, then triple-filtering it, and adding a touch of pure cane sugar and a splash of cream for a refreshingly light, smooth taste. Choose from Original, Espresso, Chocolate and Vanilla.

Today’s Convenience Stores Are Really so Much More Than Just a Gas Station

So next time you are out and in need of something to eat or drink, don’t discount your local convenience store! Also, when you are out running around for the holidays, remember all these fun offerings too! For me, I like to stock up on goodies at our first convenience store stop since we are usually in the car for a few hours!