Road trips can be tricky when it comes to food. Spending long periods on the road leaves us with grim food choices. In a sea of fast-food restaurants, there’s not a health food store or farmer’s market in sight. So, how can we plan to eat better when we are on the road?
Being prepared can make a huge difference when it comes to our food choices during travel. Although you always have the option to pack a cooler with nutritious foods, long trips may cause concern over food spoilage. Instead, try packing some non-perishable snacks to keep with you to prevent the desire to stop for gas station treats or fast-food fill-ups.
What is the best low carb snack? Below is a list of 5 healthy snack options you can bring with you on the road without worrying about them going bad or having to pack a cooler. The best part? These snacks are great when traveling outside of the vehicle as well. Bring them with you on your excursions and ensure you are fueled for a great time.
1. Fruit with Nut Butter
Although not all fruits work well for travel, grabbing whole fruits you can snack on on the go are a great option. This can include apples, bananas, pears, peaches, and anything else that doesn’t require cutting before eating. Take this snack up a notch and ensure you are feeling satisfied for hours by incorporating nut butter with it. This can be any nut butter of choice. You can portion it out beforehand or purchase a few single-serving packets/pouches at the store before you hit the road. Not into nut butter? A handful of nuts works just the same!
2. Trail Mix
Trail mixes are great snacks. Whether you choose to make your own at home or pick one up from the store, opting for a hearty mixture of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits can be a great pick-me-up on long drives.
Be careful to choose your trail mix wisely. Avoid trail mixes that include a lot of sugary additives. You can also create your own easily by grabbing some of your favorite items and tossing them together in a Ziplock before you leave. Some popular trail mix additives include a variety of nuts and seeds, dried fruits such as cranberries and raisins, roasted chickpeas, roasted edamame, and more.
3. Protein Treats
Do you find yourself getting a bit of a sweet tooth while on the road? Instead of stopping for some candy, grab a protein Cookie. Naked Nutrition’s chocolate chip protein cookie is a perfect example of a delicious protein treat to satisfy your cravings. Naked Cookies contain a whopping 10 grams of protein per cookie with only 1 gram of sugar. Enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt and know that you’ll be satisfied for hours after thanks to the high-quality grass-fed whey protein.
4. Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
Another great travel snack is beef jerky. Packed with high-quality protein and a savory flavor, jerky is the perfect non-perishable snack to take with you on the go. Be careful to choose a jerky that does not contain sugary marinades. Always look at the back of the label for added sugar content and be mindful if you are watching your sodium intake as well. A grass-fed beef stick is a great option for those looking for a high-quality snack as this jerky is naturally lower in fat and higher in omega 3s.
5. Tuna or Chicken in a Pouch with Whole Grain Crackers
For the protein lovers out there, tuna or chicken in a pouch is a fantastic option for road trip fuel. Packed with protein, this snack makes saying no to unnecessary snack stops a breeze. Be sure to choose the options in a pouch versus a can as canned tuna and chicken are not as portable or travel-friendly. You can pair these with whole grain or sprouted crackers to give you a healthy balance of complex carbs and protein to keep you going.
If you would like to try some fun Japanese snacks during your trip, make sure to check out Japan Crate – a Japanese subscription company that is shipping all over the world.
Now that you have some ideas for healthy snack options on the road, create a plan for what you want to include, and be sure to stock up before your next trip. Remember, just because you are going to be on the road doesn’t mean you need to eat like it!
