Your gas tank is full, your tires are fully inflated, and you have your itinerary loaded on your GPS. You’re ready to hit the road! Not so fast — before you go, you should have a plan for what you’re going to do when hunger hits. Everyone knows that roadside restaurants and gas stations aren’t full of the most healthful options. With a little planning ahead, you can be equipped with healthful road trip snacks to keep you nourished and energized through every mile.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With Fresh Fruit
Stay ahead of your sweet tooth by packing healthful fruits for your road trip. Fruits like grapes, berries, and presliced apples and mandarin oranges are perfect car snacks because there’s nothing to throw away when you’re done. Installing a small trash can in your car will let you skip some of the prep work. Just stay away from fruits like melons or peaches that are prone to drip and make a mess.
Get Your Crunchy Fix With Bite-Sized Veggies
When you’re craving something crunchy to munch on, your first instinct may be to reach for a bag of chips. With just a little prep work, you can redirect that craving to a more healthful option. Pack an assortment of your favorite raw veggies, such as sliced cucumbers, celery, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and broccoli florets, into a bento box or other divided container and you’ll have a fun, healthful way to fulfill your cravings. Fill one section with hummus, ranch, or guacamole for a dipping option.
Stay Energized With Trail Mix
Trail mix is the perfect road snack for when you need something a little more filling, and it’s quick and easy to prepare before a long drive. Mix together your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits and you’ll have a healthful, energy-rich snack to keep you satiated and alert on the road. If you didn’t get a chance to prepare snacks ahead of time, you can also buy trail mix at most gas stations as a more healthful snack option than the typical candy bars and bags of chips.
Make Better Fast Food Choices
Sometimes snacking just isn’t cutting it, and you need to stop for a full meal. Dining options along the highway can be scarce, but you can find more healthful options at the standard roadside fast food restaurants. Rather than ordering something fried and breaded, consider getting a grilled or roasted meat on your sandwich, and skip the jumbo-sized sandwiches with multiple patties. Instead of fries, opt for a side of sliced apples, baked potato, or salad or a fruit cup.
Be wary of healthful-sounding options like salads, as they often come loaded with unhealthful toppings and calorie-rich dressings. Fast food restaurants typically have nutrition data available in their stores or online, so use that information to help guide your choices.
Road trip food doesn’t have to be all chips, candy, and fast food calorie bombs. With these four tips, you’ll be saving money and eating well the next time you’re on the open road.
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