Day: August 9, 2025

• I travel once a month for work, and I’ve come to rely on Trader Joe’s for the best in-flight snacks.
• I think the perfect plane snack is mess-free, odorless, and has some nutritional value.
• Some of my favorites include peanut butter crispy-rice bites and freeze-dried strawberries.

As someone who flies at least once a month for business, I’ve learned that packing the right plane snacks is essential.

In my opinion, the perfect plane snack is mess-free, doesn’t have a strong smell, and offers some nutritional value. I’ve found that many of the snacks at Trader Joe’s check all of these boxes.

I like to switch things up for each trip, packing a mix of sweet and salty options to help me power through long delays or missed meals.

Here are 12 of my go-to Trader Joe’s snacks for traveling.

The Citterio salami and cheese packs feel like a mini charcuterie board.

I think of these little Citterio snack packs as portable charcuterie boards. Although they need to be refrigerated, they’re fine for short trips in an insulated snack pouch.

They’re packed with protein, so I like to bring one along for flights that don’t offer meal service.

Trader Joe’s dark-chocolate bar with almonds has a nice crunch.

Trader Joe’s dark-chocolate bar with almonds is made with 73% cacao, so it’s a must-try for those who love darker, slightly bitter chocolate.

There’s also a version without almonds, but I prefer this one for the crunch and extra protein.

The dark-chocolate caramels are the perfect sweet treat.

These rich dark-chocolate-covered caramels are perfect for when I’m craving a tiny sweet treat.

I stash a few in a Ziplock bag instead of taking the whole pouch, otherwise, I’d probably eat them all.

Trader Joe’s peanut butter crispy rice bites are the perfect size.

I like Trader Joe’s peanut butter crispy rice bites even better than name-brand Rice Krispy treats. They’re the perfect size for a quick sugar fix on the go.

In my opinion, they have just the right balance of flavors — there’s not too much peanut butter, and the marshmallow flavor isn’t overwhelming.

These dark-chocolate almond-butter cups are a twist on a classic snack.

Trader Joe’s dark-chocolate almond-butter cups come individually wrapped, making them perfect for snacking or sharing.

They offer an elevated twist on traditional milk-chocolate peanut-butter cups and have a dollop of creamy almond butter in the center.

Trader Joe’s milk-chocolate peanut-butter pretzels are one of my favorite snacks.

This is hands down one of my all-time favorite snacks. Trader Joe’s also sells regular peanut-butter-filled pretzels, which are very good, but the sweet milk-chocolate coating on these takes them to the next level.

The PB&J and PB&C cups are like snack-sized sandwiches.

The Trader Joe’s peanut butter snack duos are great for kids.

The chocolate version (PB&C) pairs a cocoa-creme-filled wafer stick with a creamy peanut butter dip, and the jelly version (PB&J) includes a peanut butter wafer with a raspberry dip.

Both come in small, travel-friendly portions that meet the TSA’s liquid and gel requirements.

Chili-and-lime rolled corn tortilla chips make a great tangy treat.

These chili-and-lime chips are the perfect salty snack with a kick. The rolled shape makes them great for travel since they don’t break easily.

When I’m craving something savory, Trader Joe’s mini everything bagel sandwiches hit the spot.

I can’t get enough of Trader Joe’s mini everything bagel sandwich crackers. They’re buttery and savory, with a dollop of tangy cream cheese in between seasoned crackers.

I love the variety in the Many Things snack mix.

The Trader Joe’s Many Things snack mix is packed with a blend of sweet and spicy flavors.

The mix includes everything from mini pretzels and bread crisps to honey-roasted peanuts and cereal squares.

Freeze-dried strawberries are a great mess-free snack.

Trader Joe’s has a nice selection of freeze-dried fruit, but these strawberries are my favorite.

They have a nice crunch, and since strawberries are the only ingredient, I feel good snacking on them.

Trader Joe’s fruit leather buttons are easy to toss in a bag.

These fruit leather buttons come attached to paper for easy snacking — just peel them off and enjoy.

They come in three flavors and are great for younger kids or anyone needing a quick and convenient treat.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe’s diaries like this one.

There are just under 100 days before this year’s United Nations climate summit kicks off in Brazil. In my survey of business and civil society leaders, conducted in formal interviews and in casual conversations, I hear a version of the same answer about their plans for the conference known as COP30: uncertainty. 

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In short, companies and non-profits remain undecided whether to make the trek to the Amazonian city of Belém for the two weeks of talks that begin Nov. 10. Because of both logistics and the changing dynamics of global climate leadership, many are considering limiting their journeys to side events in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo.

In a call with members of the press last week, André Corrêa do Lago, who will serve as COP30 president, celebrated the related climate events happening all over Brazil, but insisted that companies and NGOs should still show up in Belém. “We are delighted that they come to other events, before the COP, in Rio or São Paulo, but Belém is the place,” he said. “We need the business sector to be present in Belém.”

At the center of the planned private sector involvement in Belém is the so-called “action agenda,” an officially sanctioned set of priorities that take place apart from the negotiations between countries. The announced COP schedule includes specific days focused on topics including energy, transport, trade, finance, and carbon markets that companies may want to join. 

Themed days have become a mainstay of U.N. climate conferences, but this year’s Brazilian organizers insist that the approach this time will be different. In past COPs, organizers emphasized the announcement of new private sector commitments. This time around, organizers insist that themed meetings will drill down into “implementation” rather than tout new high-level pledges. 

Officials will try to build on the programs and commitments announced at previous U.N. climate conferences—assessing their progress and identifying opportunities for improvement. This includes everything from promises to limit methane emissions to commitments to halt deforestation. They hope that businesses will share at COP concrete plans for how to meet those past pledges at a time when many businesses are backtracking on their ambition. COP officials are also planning to create what they are calling a “granary of solutions” that will give attendees—particularly businesses—a comprehensive look at the many solutions that are working, thereby encouraging others to take similar actions.  

Many companies and non-profits are still deciding whether they want to take part in Belém. ​​In the public narrative, steep prices and limited room availability have received the brunt of the blame for the reticence of some climate leaders to show up in Belém. There is no doubt that this is a big issue for some civil society groups. Email list serves and WhatsApp groups are buzzing as advocates look around for affordable accommodation. That said, the news reports touting outlandish nightly rates running into the tens of thousands of dollars are largely outdated; new relatively affordable housing stock has become available on the conference’s official booking site (though many of these accommodations don’t have the amenities to which western business travelers are accustomed). 

But while the accommodation options are an easy excuse, they aren’t the primary thing holding some climate folks back. Many companies and big environmental non-profits that plan to show up in Rio or São Paulo have also booked rooms in Belém as they decide whether it’s worth the extra stop. In some ways, the thought process is like one you might engage in before any other professional or even social gathering. Private sector leaders are asking, “who else will be there?” And “what will we actually get done?”

Nothing will get done if firms don’t show up. In recent years, climate observers have questioned whether the COP process is really worth all of the effort it takes—and whether it’s the best way for the private sector to spend its time. But the truth is it will only ever be worth its time if advocates seize on it. 

That’s a potential loss for the U.S. firms that choose to sit it out. One set of companies expected to show up in force are firms located in India and China. That’s a change from recent years when large western companies have shown in force and Asian firms have remained more muted. It’s yet another indication of the shift of gravity away from the U.S. in global efforts to tackle climate change.

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• This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter.
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Welcome back! Are you looking to infuse your diet with protein and fiber? One sports dietician shared the six meals she swears by for more energy and stronger muscles.

On the agenda:

• Your phone can now tell you how fast you’re aging.
• Men are ditching suits for loose pants and pricey tees in the RTO era.
• Would you spend over $5,000 to remove your under-eye bags?
• Sharon Stone reveals how Robert De Niro upset her on the “Casino” set.

But first: Sharing is caring.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider’s app here.

This week’s dispatch

Welcome to friend socialism

Would you care if your best friend saw what’s in your Amazon cart — or what your neighbor is streaming on Netflix?

Sharing subscription passwords with your family is one thing. But as subscription costs rise, Business Insider’s senior correspondent Emily Stewart writes that more Americans are expanding the definition of “family” — to friends, neighbors, and even strangers.

“The average US consumer pays for about five video subscriptions a month,” Stewart writes. “So, people figure out all sorts of ways to game the system.”

One person told Business Insider she isn’t afraid to share her Nintendo Switch Online subscription with absolute strangers she found on Reddit. Another said she’s opting to share a phone plan with her roommate.

“I was just like, we will literally save so much money if we just do this together,” Nicole Nikolich told Business Insider. “It’s been smooth sailing for years.”

While sharing passwords may have been a way for companies such as Netflix and Disney to hook people onto their services, they’re now cracking down. Even HBO Max has warned customers: Users will “actually start to see some messaging” advising them to pay up, WBD streaming head JB Perrette said.

Meanwhile, other companies such as AT&T seemingly couldn’t care less how their customers use their family plans, as long as they’re using them. A spokesperson for the company told Business Insider that families can “mean a lot of different things.” AT&T even launched a new tool to help different people split payments more easily.

Turns out it takes a village — or at least a good group chat — to afford subscription services these days.

Your face as a medical device

Have you ever wondered how fast you’re aging? There’s an app for that now. Harvard’s “FaceAge” algorithm uses photos of your face to determine your biological age.

FaceAge is an AI-assisted version of a practice doctors have been using for years: getting a quick visual, and then making inferences about how patients are doing. Scientists hope it could one day help physicians diagnose diseases earlier and treat patients better.

We tried — and tricked — it.

Welcome to the smart casual era

As more companies call workers back into the office, men’s workplace dress codes are changing. The stiff suit is no longer the norm; now, it’s all about refined comfort.

Looser silhouettes and even shorts have entered some offices. Some men are taking inspiration from TV shows like “The Bear.”

For suits, tailoring is key.

Ditching your baggage

Lower blepharoplasty (aka “bleph” on TikTok) is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin, fat, or muscle in the lower eyelid. Though the average patient is in their 50s or 60s, the procedure is gaining steam among those in their 20s and 30s.

The surgery has become popular as interest in longer-lasting procedures rises. At $5,100 for what is generally a one-time operation, some patients find it a better deal than regular rounds of filler.

Would you pay up for it?

Sharon Stone’s biggest moves

Stone’s breakout role in “Basic Instinct” catapulted her to stardom in 1992. The 67-year-old actor has led a fruitful career in film in the decades since.

In an interview with BI’s Jason Guerrasio, Stone discussed her journey in Hollywood, from rollerskating to auditions to working with Robert De Niro. She still models, too — and said she makes more money in that industry than in film.

Plus, how she almost lost her most famous role.

What we’re watching this weekend

• “The Pickup”: This Amazon Prime Video comedy brings out the big guns with Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson, playing armored truck drivers who have a bad day when they are ambushed by thieves. Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer also star.
• “Platonic”: In season 2 of this Apple TV+ series, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne return as former best friends whose reconnection at midlife leads to horrible decisions and lots of laughs.
• “Wednesday”: Over on Netflix, the second season of this hit series finds Jenna Ortega returning as our favorite Addams family member.

What to shop

• How to stay crispy-cool overnight: We cannot overstate how impactful a cooling mattress topper can be for hot sleepers. We know from experience, because we tested a bunch of them. Welcome to a better night’s sleep.
• Women’s workwear for summer: Dressing for the office in the middle of a heatwave isn’t always easy, but our style team is here to help. Here are all the best places to shop for workwear, according to people who receive a lot of compliments on their outfits.
• Yes, we’re still wearing crossbodies: Shoulder bags may be the trend of the moment, but there’s a time and place for a crossbody bag, too. Our style editors share their favorites, and why we’re still wearing them — especially for travel.

More of this week’s top reads:

• For once, good news: More colon cancers are getting caught early as 40-somethings line up for colonoscopies.
• Saunas, pickleball courts, and private golf courses: See inside five of the most expensive homes sold this year.
• A 30-year-old CrossFit star shares her supplement stack for strength, energy, and recovery.
• A couple went to Africa on their fifth date. Now they’re engaged, and the bride-to-be has a custom ring that nods to that trip.
• From Coldplaygate to Jet2holidays, Summer 2025’s biggest vibe is the lack of actual vibes.
• I spent a year traveling around Europe to find where I wanted to live. After several misses, I’ve settled into my dream city.
• See inside a 56-room, Venetian-inspired mansion in Florida that the Ringling circus family built a century ago.

The BI Today team: Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.