Take a Spin on the Healthy Highway
It’s summer. While that means a lot of things, it definitely means ROAD TRIP for many Americans.
Something about the summer sun, the open road, the beckoning coast and the pursuit of the best ice cream cone gets our engines going. But gas station grub and fast food along the way can really put a damper on healthy eating habits.
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Don’t worry, there is healthy road trip food! These healthy road trip food ideas will leave your car mates full, happy and healthy. The best road trip snacks will keep you energized for the drive and ready for any twists and turns in the road. Packing these snacks for a road trip will be way better than stopping every couple miles for junk food!
Grab a cooler and fill it with ice and stash these favorites:
- Fruit- Obviously, avoiding the greasy chips and fatty doughnuts at the gas station is a smart idea. Consuming salty foods can easily make you exceed your sodium intake per day. Replace those belly busters with fresh fruits and vegetables. Apples, bananas, oranges, grapefruit…things with a natural covering are ideal for road grub. Pre-cut watermelon slices, strawberries, peaches and nectarines are good road trip foods that are healthy. Also, grapes are great because they are delicious, healthy and easy to pop in your mouths like chips.
- Veggies- Carrot sticks, celery, sliced bell pepper strips and cherry tomatoes are all fantastic options for the long car ride. If the kids won’t eat plain veggies, then fill some celery sticks with peanut butter and put them in a baggie for easy access. Also, bring along some hummus for dipping or mix up an easy veggie dip by mixing low-fat cream cheese, low-fat sour cream and ranch dressing seasoning mix. Be sure to put all of these healthy road trip snacks for kids in the cooler.
- Low-fat Cheese and Whole-Wheat Crackers- Pre-slice some cheese to pair with whole wheat crackers to refuel on the road. These are good road trip snacks because they are very satisfying and the fiber from the crackers will keep your hunger at bay. Healthy road trip snacks should include low-fat dairy, like in cheeses, which provides a good source of calcium.
- Nuts- Although they are high in calories, nuts provide essential vitamins and minerals and healthy fats to keep your heart healthy. Opt for natural, unsalted almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans or peanuts. The healthy fats will provide you with a feeling of satiety and are a yummy treat.
- Low-fat Pudding and Sugar-Free Jello- It’s easy to think that road trip snacks that are healthy are hard to come by, but if you take the time to prepare before the trip, it is super simple! Pack some low-fat pudding cups and sugar-free jello in the cooler for a sweet treat along the way. Word to wise: DON’T FORGET THE SPOONS!
- Beef Jerky- Low in fat and high in protein, this is one of the best healthy road trip snacks. Try to get the reduced sodium kind. Even turkey jerky is really delicious and the protein boost will keep you satisfied.
Chomping on healthy road trip foods will make a big difference in the way you feel in the car which will make your trip a lot more enjoyable! These healthy road trip ideas for snacks and meals will save you time, money and calories! Have fun road trippin’ this summer!
