We’ve all been there: You’re on a long road trip heading to your family’s house for the holidays, and you realize that your stomach isn’t going to appreciate waiting another 50 miles to get some nourishment. Unfortunately, the nearest rest stop has a vending machine with utterly questionable, and unhealthy, options. Next time, you vow to take snacks for your road trip that are healthy, nutritious and yummy.
It’s easy to pack healthy road trip food, and you don’t have to spend tons of time preparing. Check out these top 10 road trip snacks that are sure to please even picky riders:
- Raw veggies and hummus. Thanks to convenient packages of pre-cut vegetables like carrots, celery and cucumbers, you don’t even have to worry about doing much preparation work. Just throw everything together in a bag and you’re ready to go!
- Fruits. What happened to the idea of munching on an apple, or indulging in a banana covered in a little peanut butter or soy nut butter? Fruits are simple to eat, and they’re quite filling thanks to high fiber content. They can also help you stay alert and positive on longer road trips thanks to all their other nutrients and natural sugars.
- Granola Bars. When you’re searching for granola bars to take as food for a road trip, go as raw as you can with the ingredients. Look for granola bars that haven’t been crammed with tons of hydrogenated fats or unnatural items. If you can’t seem to find what you want, you can always make your own.
- Trail Mix. You can find decadent, filling and healthier trail mixes from manufacturers like Warrell Corporation. Trail mix is typically created from a combination of savory and sweet foods, such as nuts, dark chocolate pieces, dried fruits and seeds. This variety keeps you from getting bored with what you’re eating, and makes a tasty treat as you pass through city after city.
- Popcorn. Old-fashioned popcorn, with or without add-ins, can be a nutrient-packed road trip snack that kids and adults love to eat. You can make some yourself, or simply purchase it from your favorite vendor.
- Cheese and Wheat Crackers. Choose harder, aged cheeses, because they tend to be better for you. Wheat crackers are perfect, unless you need a gluten-free option. In that case, you can find tasty rice crackers to satisfy the munchies during your road trip adventure.
- Meats. Ditch the salami and heavily-processed meats like bologna. Cut up pieces of chicken breast, turkey breast or a ham steak instead, and place them in a bag or container for easy access. Want to dip them in something? Mustard makes a low-fat, high-flavor choice.
- Dark Chocolate. If you’re not planning to eat much, and you just need a little bit of food to keep yourself going, an ounce or two of fine dark chocolate can be a wonderful treat. Dark chocolate has been proven to boost focus and increase stamina, something that’s important for drivers on a long road trip.
- Smoothies. Forget about smoothies that are high in sugar, and think along the lines of juicing. Many products are available now that taste like rich smoothies, but contain no additives or sugars.
- Squeezable Fruit Packs. Watch out for ones that have ingredients you can’t pronounce, and go to the organics section of your grocery store for squeezable applesauce and other fruit sauces. These are usually better suited for youngsters, but some adults appreciate the convenience.
No matter what you bring, always take the time to ensure that you have road trip snacks to fuel you from beginning to end. You’ll be thankful when you have them on hand!
