Best food for road trips that are convenient

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Are you planning a trip to the beach, heading to the mountain or spending a weekend at your parent’s family vacation home? I’ve been wanting to share some good hacks about foods and snacks during road trips. Because, let’s face it, being on a road trip can be tricky if we don’t plan ahead of time. And of course, no one wants to mess up with their health goals, go over food budget or even get sick on the road or starve, because of poor choices. But, this doesn’t have to be! So, I got you covered. I’m diving into the best food for road trips along with some travel essential ideas.

Why you need to choose the best food for road trips: Facts

I love travelling. In fact, for many times, I’ve had to come up with different ideas on how to snack while being on the road, without eating too much junk or spending tons of money. One thing that’s true about road trips is that it’s better to plan ahead of time. Especially if these trips take longer than 2 hours.

The truth is, getting prepared with the best foods for road trips is essential. It saves us from making last minute poor food choices, keeps us healthy, thus preventing any risk of getting sick. Just picture yourself being away from home for so many hours. You may not have your regular coffee available, so while you’re on your way, you grab at the first thing you find at the gas station, because you’re starving. Then you keep on snacking at what you pick up along the way, because, anyways, who cares now? So, then, you start feeling stuffed, bloated,sluggish, whatever. And then you think, I’ll fix this when I get home… But you know that this could be avoided with a simple travel tool kit? Yes!

A simple “road trip travel essentials kit” is a life saver. It’s a list of foods and items I consider when going on road trips to keep my energy levels high, my digestive health on track and my goals in check. Besides that, packing some of the best food for road trips avoids you from wasting time on unnecessary frequent stops. I don’t know about you, but for me No bloating and no frequent cravings while on the road are a win win situation!

Here is a quick guide of the best food for road trips

Foods that are healthy and filling:

Whole fruits:

You can never go wrong with whole fruits. Maybe you knew about this one already, but I always like to remind you that fruits are one of those healthy foods you shouldn’t leave out during road trips. Fruits that you can just grab and go, without slicing or cutting are most convenient. My favorites are apples, strawberries, bananas, grapes, just to name a few. The ones that are higher, like the first two ones I mentioned, are much better, since they keep you full for longer. You can pick whichever you like.

Sandwiches:

Sandwiches are also very convenient when it comes to road trips. Here, you can get creative, but choose good quality protein like baked chicken, cheese,and turkey ham. I usually don’t add too much dressing, just a little mayo or italian dressing.

Wraps:

These are hands down my favorite! In fact, they are easier to make than sandwiches. At least, that’s my impression.You can also pack them easily in ziplocks or disposable food containers, and can last a few hours.

Nuts:

These should be on your priority list among the best food for road trips. Nuts should be an essential part of your diet anyway. The good thing about nuts is that they are nutritious, filling and easy to carry. There’s no need for an extra container, they are just a grab-and-go.

Whole grain crackers:

You can easily get these at the supermarket. They are not expensive, and they have lots of fiber, just to keep your digestion in check and help reduce those sugar cravings.

Tuna fish:

Packing some cans of tuna is very convenient, plus you don’t have to keep them under no refrigeration. Besides being one of the best protein foods, it tastes delicious and you can have it as snacks or as part of a meal. Plus, you just open and serve.

Nut butters:

Having the servings of healthy fat during the day is essential, so just as you have these at home, you shouldn’t skip them on road trips. The great thing about nut butters is that you can find them in easy travel sizes at the supermarket. My favorites are peanut and almond butters. You can snack on these with fruits, with crackers, veggies or sandwiches.

Raw veggies:

Who said you can’t snack on some good veggies while you’re on the road. Remember that you don’t need to have them only at a lunch or dinner plate. You can also cut them into chunks and put them in a ziplock bag. Or you can also carry them into containers. This is very easy with carrots and celery.

Cheese sticks:

If you didn’t know, you can also find cheese sticks readily available at supermarkets. My favorites are the mozzarella sticks. These are perfect because they come in small packs. Another plus is that these last longer than fresh cheese and are not so messy.

Granola bars:

Granola is also very healthy, convenient to carry and there are many ways in which you can snack on them. You can add them to your favorite yogurt or eat them alone in bars.

Popcorn:

This is the most simple, yet very effective food to carry on road trips. It is low-calorie and very filling.

Protein bars:

Another best food for road trips is protein bars. They are not only for when you’re working out, but also for snacking when you travel.

Skewers or brochettes:

These are what in spanish we call “pinchos”. Even though it requires a little preparation, you can make them with easy to prepare ingredients. You can arrange them with cheese, ham, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, to give you a few examples. If you have chicken chunks, add those in as well.

Hummus and cheese dips:

These are a time saver when it comes to snacking on the road and these are healthy. Similar to nut butters, you can dip veggies or fruits, or simply add them to wraps and sandwiches.

Oatmeal crackers:

If you feel like snacking on crackers, try oatmeal. Just like whole grain crackers, these are full of fiber, they taste good and will keep you with good energy. Pro tip: Have them with some protein or healthy fat, try not to eat them alone.

Baked tortilla chips:

Baked tortilla chips are my favorite! You can actually make them at home, plus they are easy and quick to prepare. You can also find baked alternatives in the supermarket. Here is a healthy homemade baked tortillas recipe you should try.

Guacamole:

You can never go wrong with guac! This is one of those foods that is always on my healthy snacking list. And if you feel lazy preparing the whole guacamole thing, or if you lack time, a simple ripe avocado will do it. Try it with crackers, toss into wraps or sandwiches.

Easy-to-make salads:

Salads are delicate when it comes to road trips, since they need refrigeration. But, if you’re not taking a cooler with you, then keep it simple with a 3 ingredient salad. You can try tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers. You may want to skip the green leaves, due to convenience and safety. Avoid coleslaws,as well!

Probiotics:

Yogurt is one of my main choices when it comes to probiotics. These foods are the key to keeping your digestion in check.Yogurt requires refrigeration, but I added to the list because you can snack on it early on the trip.

Pre-made pasta:

You can also consider taking some pasta salad with you.There are options in the supermarket, or you can prepare them at home.The good thing is that you can eat them cold as in a salad or store them hot in a container for a quick lunch.

Supplements:

Well, yes, why not? These are not essential though, but if you are used to adding collagen peptides to your drinks or protein powder, you can carry them with you. I usually don’t take supplements with me during road trips, but they are also an option if you are used to having them.

Teas:

Maybe you didn’t think about tea bags, but these are very easy to take with you. I’m a tea person, and I can easily pack them in. This works really well if I have to rise very early and I’m not able to have my breakfast at home. Coffee can be uncomfortable to travel with, so tea bags are good options.

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Water:

Of course, you need water. But, believe it or not, as simple as it seems, we often forget to take a water bottle with us. It’s easier than stopping on the road to buy. So, this is another item you want to add to your grocery list when you’re shopping for road trip snacks. Remember that staying hydrated is essential!

Eating out while on road trips:

If taking food with you is not an option, then you may want to explore some places along the way. Time saver hack: Some restaurants offer their menu online, so this is great to help you explore ahead of time. That way, before you stop at a certain spot you can explore and decide what works for you.

Final thoughts,

Travelling on the road doesn’t have to be complicated when it comes to food. All it requires is just proper planning, taking the essentials and having fun. Just bear in mind that hygiene is also important when you travel. Always carry enough hand sanitizer, paper towels, napkins and travel size meal kits. Hope this helps make your life easier when you’re planning your trips. What are your experiences with road trip foods? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Also, sharing is caring!

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