Healthy eating is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when we think about road vacations. When we're weary, hungry, and have no other alternatives than gas station snacks, fast food restaurants, or vending machines, even the greatest intentions to eat healthy sometimes go by the wayside.
Fortunately, no matter where you are, you can escape the junk food traps and enjoy excellent and healthy cuisine. Here are some simple methods of how to eat healthy while traveling in a car properly and arrive at your destination feeling wonderful if you'd like some advice for eating healthily on a road trip.
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1. Make a meal and snack plan for your road trip.
When it comes to eating healthily on the road, having a plan is essential. I discovered this the hard way when I went on excursions without planning ahead of time for meals or snacks. I'd carry some water bottles, diet Coke, and perhaps a box of breakfast bars with me. I ate a somewhat healthy diet at home, so I was certain that I'd be able to find at least a few decent selections.
No matter how hard I vowed I'd avoid junk food, I'd always end myself at a service plaza in the middle of nowhere with just one fast food restaurant to select from, ordering the stuff I'd promised myself I wouldn't eat. I'd get a migraine, stomachache, and be fatigued towards the conclusion of a lengthy journey.
I saw a significant improvement in my mood once I began packing my own meals and snacks on vacations. My energy levels were high, I was less hungry, and I didn't have to consume harmful foods that I would never eat at home.
It takes little time or effort to make a strategy. On a road trip, there are two basic approaches to keep a healthy diet:
- Bring a variety of healthy snacks and meals with you.
- Learn how to order the healthiest options when dining at restaurants.
2. Make a Grocery Trip
Visit the grocery or health food store to buy food for meals and snacks on your trip. Look for things in snack-size or individual packets that can be placed into a snack bag or a cooler to save time on preparation.
Purchase some of your favorite fruits to take with you on your journey.
For Road Trips, Here Are Some Healthy Snack and Light Meal Ideas
- Pretzels or Apple Slices with Nut Butter Hummus and Mini Carrots
- Low-Fat Tortilla Chips with Guacamole
- Fruit Smoothies or Greek Yogurt with Granola and/or Fruit Ready-Made Yogurt
- Sandwiches or Wraps with a Protein Shake and your favorite Milk Laughing Cow Cheese on a Rice Cake
- Sandwiches with Almond or Peanut Butter and Fruit Spread
3. Bring food for those who follow special diets
It may be difficult to locate certain kinds of food on the road if you or anybody you're traveling with has any dietary restrictions or follows a certain diet (gluten-free, dairy-free, diabetic, vegetarian, food allergies, etc.). In other places, I've found it practically hard to get anything other than carb-based meals as a vegetarian.
Whether you're a fussy eater or can't live without certain meals, stock up before you travel.
On a road trip, I prefer to carry sandwiches for a nutritious lunch since they are quick to prepare and travel nicely. To protect things from becoming soggy, don't add moist condiments or tomatoes.
On a road trip, I prefer to carry sandwiches for a nutritious lunch since they are quick to prepare and travel nicely. To protect things from becoming soggy, don't add moist condiments or tomatoes.
4. Plan ahead of time for meals or snacks
When you're hurrying to depart on a vacation, mornings may be stressful, so save time by preparing your meals and snacks the day before. Consolidate perishables into one bag in the refrigerator (that will go into a cooler) and everything else into a separate bag after you're finished.
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To avoid leaving your food behind, keep a reminder note near your baggage or vehicle keys.
5. Don't Forget to Bring a Cooler
A cooler or cooler bag is essential if you're transporting perishables or want your drinks cooled. Keep in mind that in warm or hot weather, coolers can only keep items cold for so long, so if you're bringing dishes containing meat, dairy products, or anything else that may spoil, consume them first thing in the morning.
On a road trip, bring a cooler or cooler bag to keep your drinks and perishables cold.
6. Eat Frequently
Before you feel too hungry, schedule snacks and meals. You'll feel better and have more energy throughout the day.
If you eat healthily along the journey, you'll feel much better when you arrive at your goal.
Healthy Snacks for Road Trips
- Fruit: Raisins, Dried Fruit, Apples, Oranges, Tangerines, Bananas, Grapes, Unsweetened Apple Sauce Cups
- Veggies: Mini Carrots, Radishes, Celery Sticks, Cucumber Slices
- Nuts: Almonds, Peanuts, Cashews, Macadamias, No-Shell Pistachios
- Dairy: Cheese Strips or Mini Cheeses (like Baybel or Laughing Cow), Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Individual Boxes of Milk (Organic, Rice, Soy, Almond, etc.), Yogurt Smoothies
- Other: Hard Boiled Eggs, Hummus
- Miscellaneous Snacks: Crackers, Veggie Chips, Low-Sugar Trail Mix, Organic Granola or Nutrition Bars (Protein, Chia Seed, etc.), Pretzels, Kale Chips, Hormone-Free Jerky, Dark Chocolate, Dry Cereal
