Ah, summer road trips! The warm breeze in your hair, the call of the open road, the chip crumbs all over the seats. Between gas station pit stops and greasy diner breakfasts, road trips and healthy eating don’t often go hand-in-hand.
But with a little planning, you can enjoy road trip snacks that your body will thank you for.
VEGGIES AND FRUIT
These are the best kind of treat for those ‘boredom snackers’! Any fruit or veggie will do, but it’s probably a better idea to stick with veggies that aren’t messy (I wouldn’t pack that juicy peach you just got at the farmer’s market) and avoid anything that bruises easily.
Here are some of our favourites:
- Baby carrots
- Snap peas
- Celery sticks
- Mandarins (bonus: they make the car smell amazing!)
- Apples
If you aren’t a fan of veggies straight up, you can also pack some dippers:
- Ranch (you can buy little cups in the store, or divvy some ranch into small containers at home)
- Guacamole
- Hummus (buy in-store or make your own)
If you prefer to get your fruits and veggies in a different way than eating raw, there are other options as well:
- Smoothies: look for smoothies with no added sugar. You can also make your own at home.
- Dried fruit: look for fruit without anything added-no sugar, no flavor, no color, no preservatives
- Salads in a jar
PROTEIN
The key to road trip satiation? Protein!
Road trip snacking is often carb city-and not often very good quality carbs either. That’s why you feel so hungry before you even get to the next exit. The key to road trip satiation? Protein!
- Yogurt: look for higher fat versions with less sugar
- Jerky: there are lots of healthier versions out there with fewer additives
- Almonds
- Cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Energy bars: pick up your favorites, or make some granola bars at home
SWEET TREATS
It’s next to impossible to make it through a road trip without a little something sweet! Instead of grabbing a candy bar from the gas station, try to pack your own (healthier) treats to grab in a chocolate emergency.
- Graham crackers
- Whole grain cookies
- Dark chocolate
- Chocolate covered fruit or nuts
- Whole grain dry cereal
Got some extra time before your trip? You can also whip up your own homemade goodies (some of which would also be great for breakfast-on-the-go)
- Muffins: pick whole grains and keep the sugar content lower
- Homemade cookies
- Chia pudding
DRINKS
Keeping hydrated on a road trip is super important – make sure you drink lots of water! If you’re not a fan of just drinking water – try some organic juices. (And of course stopping for coffee is a must!)
TIPS AND TRICKS
It’s never a bad idea to take some paper towel, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Ditch the boxes and bags-you can seriously condense most items if you leave the packaging at home. Try putting the snacks into smaller containers.
- Make a snack tote – Instead of throwing everything in together, head to the dollar store and pick up an open tote to hold your non-refrigerated snacks. That way everything is easily accessible and easy to see. No digging through the bottom of the bag to get the crackers you want!
- Don’t forget accoutrements! It’s never a bad idea to take some paper towel, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Also having some zip lock bags and grocery bags handy is a tidy way to take care of rubbish so the leftover food doesn’t stink up the car.
Bret Hodge
Club Manager
Innovative Fitness Kitsilano
p. 604 714 1661 / c. 778 388 9125
www.InnovativeFitness.com
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