Every single time I pack for a trip, I end up standing in my kitchen holding a bag of trail mix wondering if today's the day I finally get flagged by the TSA.

Turns out, food is actually one of the easier parts of airport security once you know the rules. Solid foods get a thumbs up.

Liquids, gels, and anything spreadable follow the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4 oz or less, all in one quart-sized bag. That's it. That's the whole thing.

So here are is a list of snacks you can take with you next time you fly:

As many of you travel to your next destination wedding or maybe to Spark Conference (hint hint), we wanted to share some easy snacks that you can feel confident taking through the airport.

You can bring your own food from home to eat in the airport & on the plane.

The TSA keeps it pretty simple when it comes to food:

• Solid foods are allowed in your carry-on or checked bag, no size limit.
• Liquids, gels, and spreads (think peanut butter, hummus, honey) must follow the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4 oz or less per container, all fitting in one quart-sized bag.
• TSA agents may ask you to remove food from your bag during screening, so keeping snacks in an easy-to-access spot saves time.
• When in doubt, check the TSA's What Can I Bring? page.

Here are some snacks you can easily take through security:

Best Protein Snacks for Flights

• Beef jerky
• Protein bars
• Nuts
• Roasted chickpeas

Healthy TSA Snacks

• Dried fruit
• Trail mix
• Popcorn
• Veggie chips

Snacks for Long-Haul Flights

• Sandwiches
• Overnight oats (under 3.4 oz)
• Wraps
• Cheese + crackers

Snacks for Kids

• Applesauce pouches
• Crackers
• Fruit strips
• Mini muffins

Budget-Friendly Airport Snacks

“Save $20+ by bringing your own food.” That angle is trending heavily right now.

There are some weird things you can't take past security, so beware of the liquid and gel-like items you may be tempted to take with your food.

An Example:

An unwrapped cheeseburger with fries and a big container of ketchup would not be allowed past security because:

a) The food is not wrapped.

b) Ketchup is a gel.The liquid and gel rule catches people off guard more than you'd think. Ketchup counts. So does salad dressing, jam, and yes, gravy. If it pours, spreads, or squishes, it follows the 3-1-1 rule or it stays home.

Leave these out of your carry-on (or pack them in 3.4 oz containers):

• Salad dressings
• Oils and vinegars
• Salsa
• Jams and jellies
• Wine, liquor, and beer
• Maple syrup
• Gravy

The truth is, there is never a guarantee that some rogue TSA agent won't give you a hard time trying to take those delicious apples or pretzels to your gate. However, according to the letter of the law, you're allowed. If you find a TSA agent that needs some extra Showiteer Love, make their day with a smile (you know we love Hugs, but maybe TSA agents don't) and maybe your best joke.

We also really hope that your next trip will be to Arizona for Spark Conference!

This is our own conference for photographers, graphic designers and creative entrepreneurs. If you have a serious need to travel more, we've put together a list of creative and design conferences to check out this year.